Is L’Oreal Cruelty-Free & Vegan? *2023*

Last Updated on 07/17/2023

L’Oreal is not cruelty-free in 2023. The biggest beauty conglemerate, L’Oreal does test on animals. Finished product and ingredient testing by third-party and/or supplier is involved. It also sells in countries where testing is reqired by law.

Summary

Does L’Oréal Test on Animals?

Do you know the name of the world’s No. 1 Cosmetic group? Yep, L’Oreal is the biggest beauty brand that gained popularity by selling quality makeup at a stunningly cheap price. Today let’s check out the cruelty-free status of L’Oreal. How animal-friendly is it?

After its huge success, the brand soon came out with other makeup and beauty products including hair styling products, makeup items, skincare products, and so on.

Later, it started acquiring beauty brands and expanding its business. Here is who owns L’Oreal in 2023 if you’re curious. (Also covers what connection does L’Oreal and Nestle share).

How many beauty brands does L’Oreal think-tank own?
L’Oreal owns 36 International Beauty Brands. There are other local brands as well under L’Oreal ownership. Be it luxe brands like La Roche Posay or your go-to brands like Garnier or Maybelline… L’Oreal owns them all.

To keep the business machine running, L’Oreal never gave much thought to animal testing. How does it shield its cruel practices on animals year after year? Let’s dig deeper into L’Oreal’s stance on cruelty after being in business for over 100 years.

Is L’Oreal Cruelty-Free?

BIG No. L’Oreal supports animal testing and still finances unethical animal testing to sell its products in 2023.Although China has made some changes in its testing laws recently, testing is still a part of safety measures. L’Oreal allows testing establishments to run cruelty-based tests on its products.

L’Oréal’ Animal Testing

Here is L’Oréal’s latest animal testing policy.

L’Oréal no longer tests its ingredients on animals. L’Oréal no longer tolerates any exception to this rule.

Certain health authorities may nevertheless decide to conduct animal tests themselves for certain cosmetic products, as it is still the case in China.

A quick glance at this shady product testing policy may mislead you to think L’Oreal is cruelty-free.

However, from the later part, it is clear that L’Oreal does support cruelty passively. It finances the animal testing practices if needed by authoritative bodies of certain countries.

In response to the famous Daily Mail questionnaire, L’Oreal said and we quote,

“In China, the regulatory authorities carry out within their evaluation centers animal tests for finished cosmetics products before these are placed on their market. We think these tests are unnecessary but we cannot prevent them.”

Here is one line summary of the whole page of the policy – L’Oreal’s cruelty-free claims are misleading and bogus!

Cruelty-Free Timeline

Initially – From the very beginning till 1979, every L’Oreal product did undergo testing.

1979 – In 1979, the cosmetic company constructed the human skin dummy model ‘episkin’ for testing.

1989 – Came1989 when it stopped animal testing on its finished goods by itself. Its products started to get tested by country regulatory bodies.

2010 Onwards – FDA sent a Warning Letter to the company’s CEO stating that 2 of its products were marketed as drugs under the FD&C Act. It has happened multiple times over the years.

The beauty company still treats its anti-aging firming creams, and skin restoration products as drugs and performs cruelty-based testing on them in the name of drug testing.

Currently – It does not perform ingredient-based testing. But the loophole is that it supports and funds third-party animal tests.

Does L’Oreal sell in China?

Of course. L’Oreal sells in China and follows mandatory testing laws.

Is L’Oreal Vegan?

L’Oreal is not vegan. L’Oreal markets its products with a 100% vegan tag. But in reality, it is not vegan. It is false labeling done to lure customers and confusing consumers.

Makeup, skincare, or cosmetics can be vegan only if it is free from animal-derived ingredients and not tested on animals. The ingredients of L’Oreal products are not animal-derived. They are either plant-based or chemically produced in laboratories.

However, its products go through an inhuman phase of animal harm. Can it truly be called vegan?

Do I Recommend L’Oreal?

The L’Oreal product sitting on your vanity might have caused havoc to innocent animals. Endorsing non-cruelty-free brands is encouraging inhuman practices on animals.

So sorry to disappoint guys! Can’t recommend L’Oreal.

Cruelty-Free Alternatives to L’Oreal

• L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Mascara

This is one of the bestselling L’Oreal products. It not only defines your lashes but also provides separated volume. Try out the cruelty-free alternative, Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. Here is a list of cruelty-free mascara for you to find an amazing alternative!

• Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

Can’t keep your hands off this medium-to-full coverage long-staying foundation? Shift your focus to guilt-free love Bite Supercharged Micellar Foundation. You’ll get the exact same coverage!

Looking for a drugstore alternative? Got you. Here is a list of the best cruelty-free drugstore foundation that we love. There are vegan options too.

• L’Oreal Paris True Match Concealer

This is again a hot favorite lightweight concealer with feather-light formula and awesome coverage. I recommend Tarte Shape Tape Concealer or select one from these cruelty-free concealer babies.

• Color Riche Matte Lipstick

Demi matte lips are again in the trends now. L’Oreal’s moist matte range is quite a hit in this category. Flower Beauty and NYX offer some great dupes of moist matte that you need to try right now.

• L’Oreal Paris Magique Primer

No doubt this is a popular drugstore primer. However, you can easily replace it with a wide range of Smashbox primers.

FAQ

Conclusion

L’Oreal offers some vegan products but can’t classify as a vegan brand. It is because L’Oreal is not animal-friendly and still a participant of compulsory testing.