Last Updated on 02/17/2022
Covergirl is currently owned by Coty Inc. It recently became cruelty free by gaining the prestigious Leaping Bunny certification by Cruelty Free International. However, Coty Inc, the parent company is not cruelty-free.
“I Am What I Make Up” – Did that ring a bell? Yeah, you are right. It’s the official tagline of Covergirl. Covergirl is one of the major players in the US makeup market. This brand taught us how to use makeup to express ourselves pushing all boundaries. It is one of the pioneer brands to hire James Charles as their main spokesperson. Also celebrated the beauty with Amy Deanna, the supermodel with vitiligo. Covergirl is also a Primark brand to ditch animal testing altogether.
“CoverGirl truly believes that cruelty-free cosmetics should be affordable and available to everyone — now it is.”
Those were the official words from Covergirl when they became Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free. There’s more to Covergirl and its newfound cruelty-free status. Grab a snack and keep reading!
Is CoverGirl Cruelty Free? Is it Vegan?
Covergirl – Past & Present
1961 – Covergirl is a US-based makeup & beauty brand that came out with medicated makeup products in 1961. The parent brand of Covergirl was Noxzema Chemical Company (aka Noxell). They wanted to make makeup that heals. They used camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus in place of commonly used ingredients.
Noxell wanted famous silver screen stars, contemporary singing sensations, and magazine cover models to be the faces of their new makeup brand. That’s why they named their brand ‘CoverGirl’.
1989 – Covergirl was later bought by Proctor & Gamble (1989). Finally, it landed in the hands of international cosmetic company Coty Inc. Since, it has been endorsed by many famous Hollywood names like Drew Barrymore, Taylor Swift, Zendaya, Sofia, Ellen DeGeneres, Rihanna.
Amy Deanna was their first cover face with vitiligo. Covergirl is also the first multinational beauty brand to employ a male spokesperson (James Charles).
What does Covergirl say about its Cruelty-Free Outlook?
Covergirl maintains a very informative web page when it comes to its animal testing policy. The official statement goes as:
“COVERGIRL does not test on animals. We officially became cruelty free certified today through Cruelty Free International’s Leaping Bunny certification program, which means all our products and their ingredients you see in stores are not tested on animals by COVERGIRL or its suppliers.”
Under the following tag, the brand mentions why they choose the Leaping Bunny Certification.
“The Leaping Bunny cruelty free certification is considered the global gold standard for cosmetics and personal care products. It is the only internationally recognized certification that requires: (i) a supplier monitoring system to be implemented by the brand, (ii) checks for animal testing down to ingredient manufacturer level of the supply chain, (iii) adherence to a fixed cut-off date and (iv) regular independent supply chain audits to ensure compliance.”
As we all know, Leaping Bunny is one of the most trustworthy standards for cruelty in cosmetics. According to Leaping Bunny’s standards, a brand can not be cruelty-free if they do any of these three:
- Animal testing by the company itself
- Testing by third parties or ingredient suppliers
- Exporting products to China
Covergirl ticks all these criteria to get its certification.
Cruelty-Free Timeline
Covergirl’s animal testing policy was under the shadow for the longest period of time. They used to run for Chinese revenue like most mid-range US-based beauty brands. I’m talking about the time it was under the umbrella of P&G, a non-cruelty-free brand.
2016 – In 2016, Coty Inc. bought Covergirl. From this time Covergirl started to pull out of the Chinese retail market.
2018 – Covergirl finally declared they won’t sell in China anymore. They also got their Leaping Bunny certification in 2018. Every year they reconfirm their cruelty-free status to Leaping Bunny ever since.
Is Covergirl Cruelty-Free?
Yes. Covergirl is a Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty free brand since 2018.
Covergirl has gone through a detailed audit by the Leaping Bunny before it got its ‘cruelty free’ recognition. They checked the brand’s manufacturing process, supply chain, and distribution network for any tress of cruelty.
Thankfully, they were found satisfactory. That means the brand does not use any cruel means to formulate or test its products. No animal testing is entertained by the suppliers and distributors as well.
Covergirl has pulled off from China. Certainly, there’s no question of mandatory ‘safety’ tests on animals. Moreover, Covergirl recommits its cruelty-free measures to Leaping Bunny.
However, Coty Inc owns Covergirl. Coty is not cruelty free. Due to the fact that it funds mandatory animal testing to grab the market share of China.
Does Covergirl manufacture in China?
The majority of Covergirl products are made in the US. The eyeliners, mascaras, and a few more products come from their Germany-based manufacturing units. As per my knowledge, Covergirl does not manufacture in China.
Does Covergirl sell in China?
No. You won’t find Covergirl products in the retail market of mainland China. Regarding their product status in the Chinese market, here’s what Covergirl has to say,
“COVERGIRL is not sold in China. When it comes to other brands in our portfolio, we understand consumers’ concerns regarding animal testing in China.
Covergirl used to sell its products in China. This was until its 2016 merger. The merger was with cosmetic giant Coty Inc. In 2018, they decided to stay out of the Chinese market. As a result, gained the Leaping Bunny certification.
Is Urban Decay Cruelty Free & Vegan?
Is it vegan?
No. Not every Covergirl product is vegan. But, this brand has taken a positive step towards veganism.
From 2019 onward, Covergirl marks its vegan-friendly products to highlight them to the intended users. Many of their formulas still contain animal-sourced ingredients like beeswax.
They are in the process of ticking the products with substitute ingredients. Their new launch ranges are mostly vegan. Cream blush, lip oil, mascara, undercover concealer are among their vegan products.
Do I recommend Covergirl?
Yes, I do! Covergirl makes of the best makeup products and that too by cruelty-free means. Leaping Bunny is the top-grade certification program. It certifies a brand after a thorough audit. Covergirl has passed all its criteria and achieved Leaping Bunny certification.
Covergirl is also working toward veganism. Not all the products are vegan still but you’ll find good products in its vegan section. Just one point of caution here. Covergirl works as a subsidiary of Coty. Coty is a non cruelty free brand that passively supports animal testing to satisfy Chinese cosmetic export criteria.
5 Highly Recommended Products
Here are some of the popular products worth a shot. These are affordable and work great!
- Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara
This is a volume-boosting drugstore mascara. It is always on the bestseller list that promises 2X volume with no clumps. Makes your lashes look fuller. And the best part? It is available in 4 different shades!
- Covergirl Exhibitionist Lipstick
It is actually the enhanced version of Covergirl’s old bestseller, Colorlicious Lipstick. The intensely pigmented creamy formula glides like butter. Do check out the creamy, demi-matte, and matte colors.
- Covergirl TruBlend Matte Foundation
Covergirl TruBlend is a matte foundation that is lightweight. It comes in 34 shades. Lasts long and blends seamlessly. Provides a smooth finish. Personally, I feel it is a great cruelty-free drugstore foundation in the US market.
Covergirl TruBlend Undercover Concealer
A vegan drugstore concealer that is available in 30 shades. It is lightweight and provides awesome sauce coverage you’ll love. You can also use it for contour and highlight purposes.
- Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream
This BB Cream is the No.1 bestselling oil control foundation. The light formula gives you the perfect grease-free finish. It comes in matte and sensitive formulas.
Buy here
Covergirl has a wide array of vegan products. Still, it is not entirely vegan. This means some of its products do contain animal-derived ingredients. But on the brighter side, it does not test on animals. Covergirl is certified cruelty free.
Read further:
Is Neutrogena Cruelty Free & Vegan?
Dove Cruelty Free or Not? Is it Vegan?
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It is not actually cruelty free if it is not also vegan. Taking anything from animals is cruel. They are not here on this planet FOR US. They are here on this planet WITH US.
You’re not wrong. But, personally, I feel going cruelty free is like the “first step” towards saving the animals & the earth. Being vegan is such a great thing to do and equally important. I do look forward to that stage for all of the brands.
Also, what you said at the end does reflect my personal thoughts. We co-exist with animals, in no way, we, the humans are superior to them. “They are here on this planet WITH US.” So true.
Cover Girl is owned by Coty. Coty sells to China. China requires testing on animals. Coty pays 3rd party companies to test on animals.
Agree. They’re owned by an animal cruel company, unfortunately.
No Cover Girl isn’t cruelty free. Since they have a parent company that tests on animals (Coty) they are in fact not due to the association they have with one another.
ive been using cover girl makeup since i was in the 7th grade.
im now 68, people tell me i look like im in my 50s. ive used noxzema
and cover girl all these years . LOVE IT , thats all you need. im wrinkle
free.