cruelty free cosmetics

jasmin · Joined: 04 May 2006 Posts: 88

I have a question about cruelty free cosmetics: how do you recognize cruelty free cosmetics? I read somewhere that labeling ‘this product has not been tested on animals’ actually does not mean that= is this true?? If yes, how can I recognize cruelty free cosmetics? Do you know of some companies that produce cruelty free cosmetics?

Gia · Joined: 12 May 2006 Posts: 96 Location: NY

Yes, this is true if product claims ‘this product has not been tested on animals’ may mean the final product has not been tested on animals, but the individual ingredients could have been. So, even if they claim their produce cruelty free cosmetics, they could still have tested cosmetics on animals.
If you want cruelty free cosmetics, you have to look for products approved under The Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS). HCS is the world’s only criteria, that was launched by world’s leading animal protection organizations.
It is interesting there are about 10.000 cosmetic ingredients that have already been established as safe for human use, and there is a range of non-animal testing methods are also available, such as cell toxicology, test tube (in vitro) techniques and sophisticated computer and mathematical modeling- they are cheaper, faster and more accurate. So, why do they still do it? Why do they test on animals???
About companies that have HCS standards are: Tesco, The Body Shop, Barry M and Montagne Jeunesse, etc.