By: Hanis Sophia
More than 100 million animals in the United States alone are being slaughtered for animal testing and we as humans, the voice for these poor animals can help. One industry that is very popular in torturing these animals is the cosmetic industry. Humans can help by purchasing cruelty-free brands that will gradually stop these animal testing brands.
A Brief History of Animal Testing:
Animal testing has been a practice in the United States since 1920. The Federal, Drug, and Cosmetic Act passed in the United States in 1938, mandating animal testing to set up the safety of new drugs. It's known to be the marketing of a famous drug known as Elixir Sulfonamides inflicting more than 100 deaths, which results in this act. Animals have always been the target of testing new drugs, cosmetics, cleaning products, food additives, and pesticides.
Which Animals Are Used in Tests?
Regarding cosmetics tests, animals that are often used are bunnies, guinea pigs, mice, and rats. They often die from the experiments.
Dogs are commonly used in medical research. They are subjected to particularly invasive tests for cardiology, endocrinology, and bone studies. In 2013, 67, 772 dogs were used in research in the United States.
Meanwhile, cats are being used in neurological studies. Half of the tests cats are subjected to "can cause pain or distress". In 2013, 24,221 cats were used in research in the United States.
Non-human primates, especially macaques but also monkeys, baboons, and chimpanzees, are used in a multitude of experiments. They take part in toxicology, AIDS, hepatitis, reproduction, and transplantation tests among others. Over 70,000 non-human primates are subjected to tests every year in the United States and European Union.
Animal testing was introduced by the government because they want to tests cosmetics and products on animals to make sure it's safe before allowing these products to be in the market.
There's no denying that animal testing has a dark and lengthy history but as the world evolves and we as humankind developed better technology, we should put an end to animal testing.
Arguments against animal testing
There are over 7,000 safe ingredients that cosmetic companies can choose from to formulate their products. These ingredients don't need to be tested on animals because they are proven to be safe.
There are several alternative methods available today, and they make animal testing completely obsolete. Technology is phenomenal and allows humans to use in-vitro testing, computer models, or even to duplicate real human organs on microchips. Let's spare the millions of animals and use this new technology.
Animal toxicity tests are not scientifically meaningful. The surprising reality is that, for medical research and cosmetic ingredients, the results aren't accurate. This is due to humans and animals are genetically different.
Animal abuse laws don't apply to laboratory animals. This double standard has no real basis. Animal abuse is animal abuse, and all animals can experience pain and suffering.
Governments all over the world have already banned animal testing for cosmetics. This has been the case in the European Union, Norway, India -- and many other countries are considering a ban.
This is all to say that being against animal testing is not only a moral position, but it also makes sense. It's a humane and rational position to have.
Since the '90s onward, animal rights movements have started to gain traction. Popular mentalities started to evolve, and organizations that aim to protect animal welfare became better known. The term "cruelty-free" began making an appearance on cosmetics labels.
What Does Cruelty-Free Mean?
Cruelty-free means cosmetics or commercial brands that are developed and manufactured by methods that do not conduct any experiments on animals.
A "cruelty-free" company is a company that doesn't test its products on animals. Cruelty-free only refers to the animal testing aspect of animal cruelty.
That's the standard definition. Cruelty-free means "not tested on animals". When referring to a meal without animal products, we use the term "vegan". When referring to a faux fur coat, we also use the term vegan. Vegan defines something that doesn't contain any animal-derived products.
Cruelty-free cosmetics differ from vegan cosmetics. Vegan cosmetics don't contain anything that comes from an animal or is produced by an animal, but it doesn't mean that they're automatically cruelty-free.
Even though the definition of "cruelty-free" is universal and simple, it's tricky to determine which brands are truly cruelty-free. This is partly because terms like "cruelty-free" and "not tested on animals" are not regulated. This means that any product can read "cruelty-free" yet be tested on animals.
How can we determine if a company is really "cruelty-free?"
Through independent research and organizations. This is where blogs such as this one come in handy. There are several criteria to consider if you want to know if a company is 100% cruelty-free.
- The finished product is not tested on animals
Many companies nowadays do not test their finished products on animals (unless foreign markets require it -- more in this below). Be wary of statements like "finished product not tested on animals" or simply "not tested on animals" on cosmetics packaging. Most likely, those terms mean that the ingredients were tested on animals.
2. The ingredient is not tested on animals.
This is where things get complicated. Cosmetics companies work in collaboration with suppliers, which supply them with ingredients or "raw materials". Sometimes, these suppliers perform tests on animals to establish the safety of their ingredients. Other times, the ingredients are tested by a third party or even the company itself. If a cosmetics company buys ingredients from a supplier that tests on animals, the company is not cruelty-free. Same if the ingredients are tested on animals by the company itself, or any third party.
3. The company does not test on animals when it is required by law.
In recent years, several companies have decided to enter the Chinese cosmetics market, which is booming to an insane degree. But there's a problem: Animal testing is required in China by law for foreign cosmetics companies, where an estimated 300,000 animals die in labs every year. This means: If a brand is sold in mainland China, it's not cruelty-free.
One more thing you should keep in mind is the parent company of the brand in question. Some brands are completely cruelty-free, while also being owned by a brand that tests on animals. While this doesn't mean that the company in question has lost its cruelty-free status, you should still bear it in mind.
The Resources You Can and Can't Trust
Logos
When you're shopping in stores, look for the 3 logos below -- and only these. You can find more information about cruelty-free logos in this post: How To Spot a Fake Cruelty-Free Logo. There's more to cruelty-free cosmetics than this, but this is a good guideline.
(INSERT BUNNY LOGOS)
PETA
PETA is one of the most well-known animal rights organizations. Based on all the reading I've done on PETA, I can't say that I support them. It doesn't look like PETA cares about animals that much, but I digress. To keep things objective: their Caring Consumer cruelty-free list is an okay place for any beginner to start as long as you can supplement it with additional research or sources. PETA is also fine as a source of information.
Leaping Bunny
Then there's the Leaping Bunny program, which can be trusted more than PETA. Except there's also a "but". The Leaping Bunny only certifies cosmetics as being cruelty-free. What this means is that a company that makes both cosmetics and drugs and tests its drugs on animals can still be certified as cruelty-free by the Leaping Bunny.
Nevertheless, their Shopping Guide consists of hundreds of small to medium brands and a few bigger ones. It's, therefore, a good source to consider for smaller brands, as long as you keep in mind the above fact. For information on animal welfare, there are a few sites I like to visit frequently -- I've listed them all below as well.
How to Join the Cruelty-Free Movement
First, make a change in the products you buy. Encouraging cruelty-free brands is crucial in working toward making a change.
Second, do all you can to help change the animal testing laws. There are opinions from people all over the world who strongly believe that governments are largely responsible for the animal testing going on, and that animal testing bans must be issued.
Private companies are driven by profit. By showing them that "cruelty-free" is essential when selling their products, they'll start considering it. But if a ban on animal testing is issued, they'll have no choice but to ditch it.
How to Switch to Cruelty-Free Cosmetics
First of all, assess your stash. Look at all your makeup, skincare, shower essentials, toothpaste, deodorant -- and don't forget your cleaning supplies, which are often subjected to cruel animal tests.
Are most of the brands you use found on the cruelty-free lists mentioned above? If not, don't throw anything away. That's wasteful and silly. Simply use up your products and make more conscious decisions on future purchases.
If you have a favorite product you just can't live without from a brand that tests on animals, do some research to find a cruelty-free alternative.
You can decide on going cruelty-free right here, right now. All you have to do is make better choices on future purchases and stop repurchasing products that are tested on animals. It might not be easy, but it's well worth it.
Additional Things You Can Do to Help
Sign Petitions
The first petition to sign is the Petition to Pass the Humane Cosmetics Act. This means that a ban could be issued on animal testing for cosmetics in the United States. Whether or not you live in the U.S., please sign this petition. Passing this bill would be a huge victory.
For Canadians, you can sign this petition started by Cruelty-Free International to End Cosmetics Animal Testing in Canada by December 2015.
This petition geared towards L'Oreal to Stop Animal Testing must be signed as well. It's getting good traction. Keep in mind that although L'Oreal reduced its animal testing in recent years, the company still refuses to go 100% cruelty-free.
Do Your Research
The Dodo is an awesome news site dedicated to animal rights and animal welfare. It's also filled with informative posts.
One Green Planet is exactly what the name implies: everything good for the planet and eco-friendly, and this includes animal welfare.
Humane Society International is an amazing organization working toward the end of animal testing worldwide.
Participate in Campaigns
Be Cruelty-Free is Humane Society International's campaign to end animal testing. You can sign the pledge and participate in their projects. Cruelty-Free International is a worldwide organization working against animal testing and it is highly recommended for you to join them.
Distribute the information
One of the best ways to get involved is to spread the word about animal testing and shopping cruelty-free. Let your friends and family know how bad it is. The more people become educated, the closer we'll get to an animal testing ban.
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