Ethical Beauty and Cruelty-Free Cosmetics
In today’s article we are going to be discussing animal testing within the cosmetics industry and how to be an ethical consumer and shop for cruelty-free beauty products. First though, we’d like to you read our mission statement:
“Our mission at Inception of Beauty has always been and will always be to create a high end, luxurious line of cosmetics that will empower and build confidence in every individual. We believe that every person has their own unique form of beauty and our products will only enhance that beauty that already lies underneath and within.
We believe in creating cosmetics that are universal and wearable by every race, age and gender. We believe that cruelty to animals is completely inhumane and totally unnecessary when creating new makeup products. Our entire line of products are cruelty-free.
Self Love, confidence and motivation. The three aspects of our customers’ life that we wish to nurture and encourage. Our line of cosmetics are the tools every woman and man can use, to help them realise the best versions of themselves. A version that is fierce, powerful, tenacious, elegant, charming and beautiful. A version of themselves that they love, inside and out.”
At Inception of Beauty we are committed to creating and maintaining an ethical beauty brand. All of our products are created without animal tested and are completely cruelty free. This is not the case for all beauty brands however and animal testing in the cosmetics industry, although not as common, still happens.
ANIMAL TESTING IN THE COSMETIC INDUSTRY
Are you aware that in many parts of the world, animals in laboratories are still suffering and dying to test cosmetics such as lipstick and shampoo? As consumers, it is our duty to make sure that we shop ethically, particularly within the beauty industry. Animal testing in cosmetics is not a necessity as many modern ethical brands demonstrate every day. It is the ugly secret of the beauty industry and in this article, we thought we’d share some hard facts about animal testing with you.
It is estimated that between 100,000-200,000 animals around the world suffer and die for cosmetic testing every year. The animals that are used most commonly are hamsters, rats, mic, guinea pigs and every rabbits. It some countries dogs and monkey are also used for testing, although not for cosmetics, but for other chemicals.
There are many types of cosmetics tests carried out on our furry friends. The main types of experiments are:
Skin and Eye Irritation Tests: These include chemicals being rubbed onto the shaved skin or dripped into the eyes of rabbits or other animals to check if the chemicals cause long last irritation.
Repeated Force Feeding: These tests last weeks or months and consist of animals being force feed chemicals orally, to look exam any signs of illness or specific health hazards from repetitive use of products.
“Lethal Dose” Tests: These test, by far, are the worst of them all. Like repetitive force feeding, animal and forced to swallow massive amounts of the chemical to determine how much of a dose would be required to cause death. These tests can cause considerable pain and distress including blindness, swollen eyes, sore bleeding skin, internal bleeding and organ damage, birth defects, convulsions and death. Pain relief is not provided and at the end of a test the animals are killed, normally by asphyxiation, neck-breaking or decapitation.
If you want to learn a little more about animal testing in North America, check out this video by Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics.
HOW DO I CHECK IF A BRAND IS CRUELTY-FREE?
If you want to check if the products and brands you use every day are cruelty-free look our for these three certified logos:
PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies
PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies is one of the most well known cruelty free programs, with over 1,900 brands certified.
Many members of PETA are extremely concerned with animal testing and look to the company’s for insights into animal testing policies. If a company that is interested in having its name added to our cruelty-free list(s) must complete a short questionnaire and sign a statement of assurance.
However, no testing or monitoring is performed, therefore the legitimacy of PETA’s cruelty-free logo depends on the honesty and accuracy of written statements.
Leaping Bunny
Leaping Bunny is an internationally recognized certification program that follows strict no animal testing standards, Supplier Monitoring System and mandatory audits.
Their Supplier Monitoring System requires companies to show and submit proof of documents that each of their suppliers comply with Leaping Bunny’s standards. Leaping Bunny also does not allow applicants to distribute their products in foreign markets that require animal testing (such as China).
Choose Cruelty Free
Choose Cruelty Free (CCF) is an independent, non-profit organization based in Australia but CCF accredited brands have an international presence.
CCF currently has over 250 accredited brands and they have different standards compared to Leaping Bunny and PETA. CCF does not accredit brands that are owned or related to a non-cruelty-free company and they have some restrictions on the use of certain animal ingredients.
They also require accredited brands to sign a legally binding contract to guarantee the statements made on their applications are true.
