15.04.14
In a day and age where companies like L’Oréal and Shiseido are acclaimed and receive awards for being among the ‘most ethical companies in the world’ (No, that is not an April Fools’ Day prank), we thought it would be a good idea to dig a little deeper into the issues surrounding the use of animals in cosmetic testing.
Why is it so complicated, you might ask. Surely the answer is simple; the product is either cruelty free or it’s not.
This question is hard to answer and depends entirely upon whether you are only looking at the brand or whether you are also taking into consideration the policy of the parent company, if there is one.
Cruelty free companies who are owned by animal testing giants fund the funnel for cosmetic animal testing because all their profits can, indirectly, be poured into the activities of the parent company – which includes testing on animals and developing animal research facilities.
Take the examples of:
1. The Body Shop
As a subsidiary of L’Oréal since 2006, The Body Shop has managed to pull the wool over the eyes of consumers through highly advertised campaigns about their fight to end animal cruelty. Having celebrities on board who are very keen to raise their own profile also helps to boost L’Oréal’s profits.
The Body Shop might also mention that their activities are ring-fenced from their parent company, L’Oréal, but what they ‘forget’ to mention is that they regularly hand over millions of pounds in dividends. Just a few months ago it was reported in the media that The Body Shop handed over £40 million in dividends to L’Oréal.
Now, do you still think they are ‘cruelty free’? Click here for more information on our Boycott the Body Shop campaign.
2. Urban Decay
Urban Decay made a big wave with its refusal to enter China’s cosmetic market in order to retain its cruelty free status. Highly praised at the time for its ethical stance, it wasn’t long before all that good work was ruined when it was announced that the company was merging with – surprise, surprise – L’Oreal!
3. Superdrug
Like the previous companies, Superdrug also has a parent company, AS Watson, who also owns several other subsidiaries.
You might also be interested to know that AS Watson is itself part of an international corporation called Hutchison Whampoa who are involved in tar sands extraction in Canada, resulting in large scale destruction of the environment and pollution on an industrial scale.
4. Liz Earle
Thanks to selling out to Avon Cosmetics, they lost their cruelty free credentials. Avon Cosmetics, not only famous for its toxic products, is also a vivid animal tester.
Don’t be fooled by their letters saying, “Avon does not conduct animal testing on any of its products”. These companies publish cleverly worded statements, sidestepping the key issue. The simple truth is, they continue to use newly developed ingredients by contracting another company to conduct the animal tests on their behalf or by buying animal tested ingredients from a supplier.
5. Charles Worthington
Their parent company is PZ Cussons, who do not have a Fixed Cut Of Date.
6. L’Occitane
Promoting their products as organic doesn’t mean they are cruelty free. However, they won’t be the first to admit it.
7. Champneys
From spa breaks to cosmetic products they present themselves as pioneers of the concept of holistic wellbeing. One important thing they don’t consider is the wellbeing of laboratory animals who suffer every single day for the sake of increasing Champneys’ profits.
8. Jason Natural Cosmetics
Jason is owned by the Hain Celestial Group who do not have a Fixed Cut Off Date policy in place and have confirmed the company does not have any plans to implement a cruelty free animal testing policy.
9. Arbonne
Arbonne has a list of over 19 formulated skin care products developed at the Arbonne Institute of Research and Development. Despite communications with the company following requests for policy clarification, they still avoid one answer: confirming they have a Fixed Cut Off Date in place, thereby confirm it’s cruelty free credentials.
10. Norfolk Lavender
At one time Norfolk Lavender did feature in the Naturewatch Compassionate Shopping Guide as cruelty free but, sadly, their products are now being manufactured by a company that does not operate a Fixed Cut Off Date Animal Testing Policy, and therefore lost its cruelty free credentials.
One thing all these companies have in common is their intent to mislead customers into thinking that their profits can rise without the suffering of even one single animal but I hope that, by now, you will agree with us when we say they don’t deserve your custom. Read about how animal experiments are at an all time high.
Most importantly, profits from the sale of products manufactured by these companies can still be used to fund animal testing outside of Europe!
Ok, so what’s the next step? The answer is simple – You Decide!
You have the purchasing power that can either fuel their profits or make them reconsider their status. If you feel disgusted by these facts then get involved and bombard them with letters, phone calls, emails and tell them how you feel. Yes, you might get ignored or even worse – receive their cleverly worded letters, but now you won’t be fooled anymore. One phone call they might be able to ignore, but after hundreds they will start to worry.
Share this article so your friends and family know the truth as well and help us teach these companies that there is a better way to do business. To shop truly cruelty free, refer to our Compassionate Shopping Guide.
