When we think of cosmetics, we think about self-care. But behind it all stands something more: responsibility.Behind the colorful packaging and promising slogans lies a topic that has remained in the shadows for years: the testing of products and individual cosmetic ingredients on animals. But is this practice still taking place? In this article, we will take a closer look at this issue.
The history of testingon animals: the reasons behind such practices
Animal testing was considered the industry standard for years to verify the safety of individual ingredients or finished cosmetic products.With limited technology, research methods, and knowledge of how cosmetic raw materials affect the skin, testing on animal organisms seemed to be the only possible option.
The road to responsibility
However, as technology and science advanced, it turned out that we can create products safe for humans without harming animals in the process.We began to question the effectiveness as well as the ethics of such animal testing, both as consumers and researchers. And cosmetic companies started creating products free from animal cruelty. Non-tested cosmetics, thanks to the use of modern research methods, may soon become the norm (and in EU countries, they already are).
Animal-tested cosmetics - what are they exactly?
Animal-tested cosmetics are products that had to undergo a series of procedures that would not appeal to anyone working for animal rights. Methods of testing cosmetic preparations on animals can vary depending on the purpose of the study. The general idea is that animals are used as models to predict how the human body might react to cosmetic ingredients. Sounds innocent? It's not at all.
What does animal testing look like?
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Skin and eye irritation tests: these studies involve applying substances directly to the skin or into the eye of an animal. Reactions such as redness, swelling, or ulcers are then observed.
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Another method is the allergy test. Here, applying the substance is meant to check if it triggers allergic reactions. During this time, the live animal is immobilized and has no way to react to what is happening. If the animal survives, it is used for further research or killed.
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Toxicity tests: in these tests, animals are exposed to the product to assess its toxicity. This may include administering the substance orally, through inhalation, or through the skin. This method is also called the lethal dose test. The name itself indicates what it leads to.
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Long-term studies: animals are exposed to substances for a longer period to assess potential long-term effects.
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Reproductive studies: evaluate the impact of an ingredient on the animal's ability to reproduce and on the health of the offspring.
Why is animal testing for cosmetics wrong? - consequences for animals and the environment
The animalson which product testing is practicedexperience profound pain, stress, and suffering. Animal studies can last from a few days to many months. They often require shaving or isolation. Animals get sick because their skin is constantly exposed to contact with highly concentrated raw materials; they have breathing problems because they are forced to inhale vapors and gases.During experiments, animals experience severe poisoning or organ failure, symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, fever, or internal bleeding.
Let's take care of more than just ourselves
The suffering of animals in the name of beauty is unacceptable. In a world where caring for psychological well-being is becoming a priority, we cannot only care about ourselves. Modern science and technology have brought us alternative research methods. Especially sincethe results of animal tests do not improve human health in any way. So why use them in the cosmetics industry?
Non-animal tested cosmetics - alternative research methods
Every cosmetic product must undergo a rigorous safety assessment before it hits the market. This does not mean, however, that cosmetics not tested on furry friends do not exist. In an era where responsibility towards animals is as important as human safety, a range of alternative methods has been developed that do not expose animals to suffering.
These include, among others, tests on artificial skin, in vitro tests, or studies on isolated cells. These methods are ethical and safe tests without animal participation. Nearly 50 non-animal research methods are available, and many more are under development.
Superiority of alternative methods over animal testing
Compared to animal tests, modern alternatives can better mimic human reactions to cosmetic ingredients and products. They yield results in a shorter time.Safe tests are more precise, humane, and eliminate the need to use animals.This allows for a win-win situation: selling cosmetics that are safe for humans is possible.
Ban on animal testing for cosmetics and the European Union
Inthe European Union, testing cosmetic preparations on animal organisms is prohibited. And the European Parliament itself is doing a lot to ensure that non-animal tested cosmetics become the standard across the entire industry.Legal decisions made by the European Union over a decade ago were key.
Since 2004, a legal ban on testing finished cosmetic products on animals has been in force in the European Union. In 2009, the ban was extended to include cosmetic raw materials. Since 2013, it has been illegal to sell cosmetic products in EU countries whose raw materials were tested in this way.
Violating these bans is a crime. Polish brands and those from European Union member states strictly adhere to these laws, focusing on innovation and science, which allow for the creation of products safe for consumers while ensuring animal welfare.
The end of the fight?
Despite the ban on testingcosmetics on animalsin European Union countries, the fight for animal rights continues. Many cosmetic companies strive for global expansion, and not all countries mirror the European Parliament's approach.
Animal-tested cosmetics in China
Non-animal tested cosmetics are becoming more common, but there are still countries where cosmetic companies perform such tests. This includes, among others, the Chinese market, where government laboratories still conduct this type of testing.
However, partly thanks to talks between EU institutions and Chinese authorities, requirements for testing on animal organisms are being relaxed. In 2021, the Chinese authorities introduced a regulation announced years ago: a cosmetic manufactured in China or imported into China may be exempt from testing requirements provided the manufacturer obtains appropriate certificates issued by the relevant department in China and receives a positive product safety risk assessment result.
However, despite the changes, non-animal tested cosmetics are still not the standard on the Chinese market. We hope that Chinese law will be systematically liberalized in this regard.
Countries where animal testing may still occur
In Russia, there is no ban on testing cosmetics on animals, and such practices are still common.
In the United States, there is no federal ban on testing cosmetic preparations with animal participation. Some states, such as New York, have taken steps toward banning these practices. However, at this moment, such bans are only in force in four states:California, Nevada, Illinois, Virginia.
In Brazil, some states like São Paulo have regulations prohibiting testing, but there is no such ban at the national level. The situation is similar in Southeast Asian countries. In many countries in this region, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, or Thailand, there are no bans regarding animal testing.
Other countries that do not test or have already implemented legal regulations
These include Chile and Colombia. Recently, Mexico and Canada joined this group, and new regulations will soon take effect in these countries. Before them, similar regulations were adopted in countries such as Australia, South Africa, Guatemala, Switzerland, Israel, Hawaii, and India. It is worth noting that the situation is dynamic and many countries are taking steps toward banning animal testing.
Cruelty-free cosmetics - what is it?
The term "cruelty-free" means that the product was not tested on animals. This term refers only to this aspect of testing or lack thereof.It does not mean thata given cosmeticis natural or vegan. A cruelty-free cosmetic may contain, for example, beeswax or synthetic ingredients.
Are vegan cosmeticsnottested on animals?
Cosmetic preparations that are vegan may be tested or not tested on animals.
Vegan cosmetics do not contain any ingredients of animal origin such as: beeswax, beef tallow, milk proteins, or snail slime (although the list of non-vegan raw materials is obviously much longer).
But this term says nothing about how the cosmetic was tested. A vegan composition is not a guarantee of no animal testing.
Natural vs. animal-tested cosmetics
Not all natural cosmetic preparations are "cruelty-free". A natural cosmetic consists of natural raw materials or those of natural origin. The naturalness of a cosmetic also does not guarantee whether the product is vegan.
Are Söppö cosmetics tested on animals?
At Söppö, every cosmetic is a manifest of our values.From the beginning, we have been telling you how important animals are to us. We love helping them and caring for them.That's why we can say with full conviction: no, our cosmetics are not and never will be tested on animals, even if we were allowed to do so.For us, animals are unique, and their welfare is our priority, on par with you and your skin.That is why choosing raw materials that are not tested on animals and creating cruelty-free formulations is a key element of our brand. However, why are there no such markings on our cosmetics? You will find out by reading the text to the end.
Are Söppö cosmetics vegan and natural?
The owners of Söppö are vegans. Therefore, it should not surprise you that we create vegan formulations inspired by nature. On our product packaging, you will find images of cute furry animals. However, you will not find animal raw materials in them. For us, every animal has its own unique value, and we want our actions to be an expression of deep respect not only for you but also for them. For Söppö, true beauty is beauty that does not harm.
Non-animal tested cosmetics – does their labeling make sense?
The topic of labeling cosmetic preparations regarding animal testing is a subject of frequent questions and speculation. There are various certificates and labels that confirm the product was not tested on animals. The most popular of these is the bunny symbol. However, is only a properly labeled and certified cosmetic tested using alternative methods?The answer is no.
As we have already written, in the EU (and beyond), there is a total ban on testing cosmetic preparations in a way that harms animals, which applies to all manufacturers. Consequently, a cosmetic produced and sold in the EU, including Poland (or another country with similar regulations), cannot be tested in this way, even if it does not have purchased certificates confirming it.
Can European cosmetic brands label their products as not tested on animals?
According to legal requirements in EU countries, such animal testing of cosmetics is illegal, and therefore such labels cannot be used by EU manufacturers, as they might suggest to consumers that products without labels are tested on animals, which is contrary to the law.
An exception that allows for the use of such labels is if a given manufacturer sells its products outside EU countries, as some countries still require animal testing for cosmetic products. In such a case, the declaration must be supported by transparent criteria, e.g., resulting from credible certification.
In practice, this means that a product present only on the EU market cannot have such a declaration, which does not mean it is not tested in an alternative, cruelty-free way towards animals.
How to recognize non-animal tested cosmetics?
If you find an European-made cosmetic with a bunny symbol and next to it a cosmetic without this mark, it does not mean that one was tested and the other was not.It is important to be a conscious consumer and know the regulations in force in a given region. And if you still have doubts, you can always ask the cosmetic manufacturer.
Raise awareness, support, and buy consciously
Not everyone is aware that animal tests are so drastic. Someone might not even know that the cosmetic they use is tested on animals. Talk about it, share petitions, tell others about preparations that are not tested on animals, while remembering one thing: do not judge others' choices. Instead of criticizing, lead by example.
