What is Zero Cruelty Skincare?

Published on Octorber 23, 2024 by Yidan Zhong

A cruelty-free skincare product is one that is free from animal testing from raw material to final processing.

Why should we use cruelty-free skincare products?

1. The Cruelty of Animal Testing

Everyone has the right to pursue beauty, but at the same time, all animals have the right to live and be free. Have you ever thought about the cost behind these safe products when you are doing your makeup and skincare every day? Those girls who say they don't eat rabbits every day, do you know that behind the products you use are actually the lives of thousands of small animals? The animals used in animal testing are not just rodents, like hamsters, rats, rabbits, etc. Animal testing also involves dogs and cats. Can you imagine having your dog or cat's eyes tested with toxic chemical drops until they are swollen and blind? I think we all dare not imagine it, ordinary animal testing is actually countless times on the small animals to torture and destruction, however, this process does not have any painless measures. According to statistics, nearly 100,000 cats and dogs are forced to undergo animal testing every year. In total, more than 500,000 animals are victimized by animal testing every year.

2. Animal-free products are more natural and safer

Generally, animal testing-free products tend to use safer and more natural ingredients, such as edible herbs, which are easier for the human body to absorb; animal testing-free products will avoid the use of harmful chemicals, such as parabens (disrupting the body's hormonal balance, leading to breast cancer and other breast diseases), synthetic fragrances, phthalates (harming the liver, gallbladder and lungs, as well as affecting the reproductive function) and other carcinogens. (which affects the liver, gallbladder, lungs, and fertility) and other carcinogens. So using animal testing-free products is not only protecting the animals, it is also protecting our own health.

3. There are some raw materials of unknown origin in animal testing products.

You may have heard that the cochineal in your favorite lipstick is made from cochineal insects, but there are many other products that are made from shark liver, cow bone, pig stomach, wool and so on. I'll be doing a post on what ingredients come from animals and what vegan and natural alternatives can be used to replace those animal ingredients.

4. International trends

Many countries have banned the use of animal testing in the production of beauty and skincare products, such as the European Union, Israel, India, Norway, Switzerland, South Korea, New Zealand, etc. Some brands in Europe and the United States have also banned animal testing because of their insistence on animal testing. Some European and American brands have also given up entering the Chinese market because of their insistence on animal testing, such as Urban decay, Fenty beauty, Kat Von D, Milk, Glossier and other famous brands. I'm sure you've noticed that you can't buy these brands in domestic shopping malls. It's not that these brands don't want a piece of the Chinese market or are racist or anything. Rather, there are laws in China that require all brands entering the Chinese market to pass animal testing to ensure the safety of their products. So these brands have to give up the Chinese market in order to stick to zero cruelty.

5. Animal testing is not necessary to ensure the safety of products

There are more than 7,000 ingredients that have been proven to be safe for beauty and skincare products, and beauty and skincare companies can choose from these 7,000 ingredients to make their products. There is no need for animal testing. Companies that choose to test on animals are often trying to develop new ingredients to grow their revenues. 

6. There are Better Solutions than Animal Testing

It's not that giving up animal testing is the same as giving up on innovation and testing the safety of your products. In fact, there are more advanced and scientific ways to test product safety than animal testing. For example, many companies choose to use in vitro testing, cultured cell tissues, or computer models. These scientific methods are more scientific and certain than animal testing. The only advantage of animal testing may be its low cost.