Animal testing is still a common practice in the cosmetics industry, and many turn a blind eye to it, because the public does not explicitly see what these animals are subjected to.
"Each year, more than 100 million animals—including mice, rats, frogs, dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, monkeys, fish, and birds—are killed in U.S. laboratories for biology lessons, medical training, curiosity-driven experimentation, and chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics testing." PETA, on their website.
It is important that this fact comes to light, because as a consumer, I want to know where my cosmetics are coming from. There are some brands that proudly bear the label "100% cruelty free", such as Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Physician's Formula, and, perhaps the most outspoken advocates for fair treatment of animals, LUSH Cosmetics, which I will mention below. But if a package doesn't bear the signature PETA bunny, how does one know if a company tests on animals or not?
It's safe to assume they do.
Honestly, as the issue has come more into light, and as a person with an enormous soft spot for animals, I morally cannot support a company that sprays chemicals into the eyes and on the skin of defenseless animals. It's broken my heart to find that, upon researching, some of my favorite brands' parent companies do support animal testing. MAC's parent company is Estee' Lauder, as is L'Oreal's, among others, and they do perform animal tests. MAC themselves do not, and if you read this blog you know that I love MAC products with the white hot intensity of a thousand suns, but since their profits benefit a company that does perform animal tests, I cannot morally purchase from them anymore.
Some may say this is an over reaction. Some may defend the companies. That's okay. This is a matter of opinion and ethics. But as one researches, one tends to find things that are not pleasant.
As I mentioned before, LUSH is an all-natural, 100% cruelty-free cosmetics company that fights animal testing and offers many vegan products. Their massive shop in England features a huge window facing the busy street, and as passerby's look on in horror, a scene unfolds.
A woman is stripped down, metal hooks prying her mouth open, terror in her eyes as men in white coats spray her down with chemicals and force feed her strange substances. [Images courtesy of Daily Mail below]
Animals in labs every day are shaved, mutilated, injected, and experimented on with harsh chemicals. Jacqueline Traide, the woman above, who is a vegan, activist, and performance artist, volunteered with LUSH to show everyday consumers the heinous acts performed on animals each day. She went through the same exact treatments as test subject animals, which is an issue very close to her heart, and showed those around her what happens behind closed laboratory doors. Watch the full video below.
One of the big points of the production as well was that Jacqueline gets to go home after the experiment, but the animals die a slow, painful death. It breaks my heart to see what animals go through for the sake of business.
If you feel as strongly as I do, don't support animal testing. Take a stand and do not give them your business. PETA offers a free cruelty-free shopping guide for consumers who care.
Here is a list of some of my favorite cosmetics companies that are 100% cruelty free:
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
- E.L.F. Cosmetics
- LUSH Cosmetics
- Benefit Cosmetics
- The Body Shop
- Bourjois Cosmetics
- Chanel Cosmetics
- OPI Nails
- NYC New York Color
- Philosophy
- Rimmel Cosmetics
- Yves Saint Laurent Cosmetics
- Adorn Cosmetics
- Bare Escentuals
- Anastasia Beverly Hills
To become a member of PETA and to give a donation to support the protection of animals, you can do so here.
Even the smallest action can cause a great change in the world.
Until next time,
xxoo, Alexis
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