10 Makeup Companies That Still Test On Animals in 2017

Among the 10 makeup companies that still test on animals in 2017 which made our list, many are big names in the industry which have a huge global footprint and customer reach. Unfortunately, these companies choose profits over principles and opt to sell in countries which require testing their products on animals before marketing them. A few such countries, like China, have stricter regulations when it comes to testing make-up products because there have been deaths caused by make-up in the past.

However, animal testing is banned in many other large economies, such as in Europe, Australia, India, and Israel. Though U.S laws do not require that cosmetics be tested on them, animal testing is legal in the U.S. However, it occurs less frequently than in China. The Chinese government requires imported cosmetics and skincare products to be tested on animals before being sold in China. The cosmetics firms are required to submit to animal testing in government labs before gaining approval to market their products in China.

Since the Chinese market is worth billions of dollars ($29 billion last year, according to Euromonitor), the cosmetics companies have to agree to animal testing or avoid selling their products in the lucrative Chinese market. Thus, while many of the 10 makeup companies that still test on animals in 2017 that made out list do not perform testing on animals themselves, they do allow their products to be tested on animals testing in such countries. However, these companies are also actively pursuing various alternative means to assess their product safety.

Things are beginning to change. The China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has allowed for certain cosmetics (first import non special use cosmetics) to not require any registration with the agency, which means that animal testing for these products is no longer necessary. Beginning in September 2017, Chinese scientists also began undergoing training to accept animal-free testing on cosmetic products.

Animal-free alternative methods are now being developed and used for testing new ingredients. These methods can test the safety of cosmetic products, for example, using 3-D tissue models, cultured human cells or donated human skin. The Institute for In Vitro Sciences Labs, a nonprofit research and testing laboratory has partnered with Estée Lauder Companies and other organizations to help China embrace in vitro tests.

Starting on the next page, we have listed 10 makeup companies that still test on animals in 2017, which has been collated by using data from PETA. These are then ranked on the basis of their market capitalization.

Head to the next page to begin the list!

10. Benefit Cosmetics

Benefit Cosmetics sells in markets which require animal testing by law. Though Benefit Cosmetics is “hopeful that alternative testing methods will be adopted worldwide”, the company currently sells in Mainland China, which requires animal testing.

9. Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE:AVP)

Market Capitalization – $959.20 million

With a history stretching back 25 years, the cosmetic company has built a global footprint in over 100 countries. While Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE:AVP) supports causes like Breast Cancer, it still continues to test its cosmetic products on animals. Though Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE:AVP)’s website says that it has stopped animal testing, the company has been paying for testing on animals in order to sell its products in China.

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8. Revlon Inc (NYSE:REV)

Market Capitalization – $1.15 billion

Revlon Inc (NYSE:REV) is a global beauty and cosmetic products company. The company has not tested on animals since 1989 and also believes that animal testing is not a viable means to establish the safety of its products. However, Revlon Inc (NYSE:REV)’s website explicitly states that there exist “a limited number of countries that have not yet adopted these alternative scientific methods”, and in 2012 it was found that Revlon has been selling its products in China.

7. Coty Inc (NYSE:COTY)

Market Capitalization – $14.90 billion

Coty Inc (NYSE:COTY), the globally renowned fragrance company ranks seventh on our list of 10 makeup companies that still test on animals in 2017. The company’s website clearly states that it does not perform any testing on animals. However, exceptions are allowed for countries which require submission of its products or ingredients for animal testing. Coty Inc (NYSE:COTY) is also expanding its reach in China through e-commerce and is selling through the Chinese retail Internet giant Tmall.

6. L Brands Inc (NYSE:LB)

Market Capitalization – $16.90 billion

L Brands Inc (NYSE:LB) states that its “policy prohibits the testing of our branded products, formulations and ingredients on animals except in rare cases when required by government regulations”. L Brands Inc (NYSE:LB)’s popular brand Victoria’s Secret continued to comply with its policy of not testing on animals for years until it started selling in China, which meant it agreed to pay for cruel tests on animals. The company is known worldwide for its fragrances, lotions, hair care, skin care, and cosmetics products.

5. Shiseido Co. LTD. (ADR) (OTCMKTS:SSDOY)

Market Capitalization – $19.39 billion

Shiseido Co. LTD. (ADR) (OTCMKTS:SSDOY) is a Japanese cosmetics company that has a global presence and a 145-year history. While Shiseido Co. LTD. (ADR) (OTCMKTS:SSDOY) announced that it stopped testing on animals in 2013 and would aim to establish alternative methods to test its products, it has continued testing its ingredients on animals in places where such was required by law. NARS Cosmetics, a Shiseido Co. subsidiary, announced in 2017 that it would conduct animal testing on its products.

4. Estee Lauder Companies Inc (NYSE:EL)

Market Capitalization – $46.98 billion

According to a statement on its website, Estee Lauder Companies Inc (NYSE:EL) says it “does not test on animals and we never ask others to do so on our behalf.” However, it adds that “If a regulatory body demands it for its safety or regulatory assessment, an exception can be made.” Some of Estee Lauder Companies Inc (NYSE:EL)’s globally renowned brands such as Clinique, Bobbi Brown, M.A.C etc. contain products that are tested on animals. M.A.C was known for being against animal testing up until 2005 when it began selling in China. According to its website, “MAC does not test on animals. We do not own any animal testing facilities and we never ask others to test on animals for us”. However, the company’s products are being tested on animals in Chinese labs.

3. L’Oreal SA (ADR) (OTCMKTS:LRLCY)

Market Capitalization – $123.96 billion

L’Oreal SA (ADR) (OTCMKTS:LRLCY)’s website states that it “no longer tests its ingredients on animals and no longer tolerates any exception to this rule.” However, the company still chooses to sell cosmetics in China where they are required by law to tested on animals. With the Chinese government relaxing some of the provisions of its animal testing requirements, some of L’Oreal SA (ADR) (OTCMKTS:LRLCY)’s products, such as shampoos and body washs, are no longer animal tested in China. However, L’Oreal’s Maybelline products are animal tested there.

2. Unilever plc (ADR) (NYSE:UL)

Market Capitalization – $163.95 billion

Unilever plc (ADR) (NYSE:UL) is a global consumer goods company with more than 400 brands reaching out to nearly 2.5 billion people on a daily basis. Though Unilever plc (ADR) (NYSE:UL) does not test its products on animals, occasionally some of its ingredients are animal tested to meet government requirements. The company is also engaged in developing various alternative approaches to assess the safety of its products for consumers.

1. Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE:PG)

Market Capitalization – $229.98 billion

Ranking tops on our list of 10 makeup companies that still test on animals in 2017, is Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE:PG), a global consumer goods giant which has a presence in more than 180 countries. The company manufactures and markets cosmetics, homecare, grooming, and healthcare products. Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE:PG) has spent nearly $400 million in developing more than 50 alternative non-animal testing methods. However, its website states that “We do not test our products or ingredients on animals anywhere in the world unless required by law.”

Disclosure: None