Most people have heard about animal testing or the cruelty-free movement, but not many know what that actually means. Animal testing in the beauty industry has been a controversial topic for years, raising concerning questions about ethics, safety, and the responsibility of these big brands and companies. While many brands have moved towards cruelty-free practices, animal testing still exists, making it an important issue for buyers to understand. 

Animal testing in cosmetics involves using animals like mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even dogs. These animals are specifically picked because they are known to be gentle and trusting, and they are used to test the safety of products like makeup, skincare, and haircare. 

These animals are kept locked in a laboratory for most, if not all, of their life. They are then injected with chemicals, either into their eyes or they shave off their fur and put the chemicals on their skin. They can also put the chemical into the animal’s mouth and cover it with a muzzle so they can’t spit it out. This tests the effect the chemical has if ingested. These animals are not given any type of pain relievers and are kept and tested on until they die, most of the time because of the testing.

The purpose of these tests is to make sure that the ingredients put in the product are safe for human use, the FDA human services secretary, Mike Levitt, said, “Currently, nine out of ten experimental drugs fail in clinical studies because we cannot accurately predict how they will behave in people based on laboratory and animal studies.”

Animal testing is unnecessary because of how quickly modern-day science has evolved. There are safer and better alternatives to making products safe for human use. We now have lab-grown human skin cells that we can use to test how the products will react on real human tissue. This also gives more accurate results because they are based on human biology, not animals, which often have a different reaction.

We also have access to computer simulations and AI, which can predict how the ingredients will react without ever needing to put them on a living being. These alternatives are not only more ethical, but they are also faster and more cost-effective. 

All of Europe, as well as countries like Canada, South Korea, and Turkey, have banned the use of animal testing in cosmetics. We see how animal testing is no longer required because of all the alternatives we now have. Countries can still have an effective beauty market without needing to harm animals in the process. 

There is also the example of cruelty-free brands that are hugely successful. Brands like Rare Beauty, E.L.F, Hause Labs, ILIA, Milani, Versed, and Tower 28 are all certified cruelty-free. These companies prove that animal testing is not necessary to build a widely liked and profitable product.

Another important aspect of the debate over animal testing in the beauty industry is the role of consumer influence. In recent years, buyers have become more aware of how their products are being made and are starting to make their decisions based on values, not just prices or popularity. 

To know if a brand is cruelty-free, the website PETA is a space to search a brand or a product, and it will tell you if it’s cruelty-free. If a brand is cruelty-free, most of the time, there will be a leaping bunny logo on the back of the packaging.

Social media has also played a big role in spreading awareness, with influencers and activists calling out brands that still test on animals and promoting those that are cruelty-free. Ignoring the issue is becoming harder for both buyers and brands.

As a result, many brands have changed their company policies to meet customer expectations. Companies understand that buyers want to buy from brands that align with their morals and values. Choosing cruelty-free brands has become a way for individuals to support the movement without directly getting involved in activism.

The shift in buyers’ behavior shows that people have more power than they think. By choosing brands that are cruelty-free, they send a message to companies that still use outdated practices. Companies feel the pressure to start the switch to more animal-friendly practices.