What is cruelty free - what does it mean?
Cruelty-free means that products or ingredients used do not harm or kill animals in their testing or production. Many years ago, raw materials and ingredients were tests on animals when first introduced, however, many countries have now banned the used of animal testing.
Although, there is no simple way to know which ingredients and raw materials were ever tested on animals, as an example, Vitamin E is a common ingredient in skincare items, but if introduced many years ago - which it was - it may have been tested on animals decades ago.
The most important thing is to note companies who vow to choose reputable suppliers and ingredients that do not currently test on animals and are cruelty-free.
What is the difference between cruelty free and vegan products?
Cruelty-free means the product was developed without animal-testing, and vegan refers to items that do not use any animal-derived ingredients. Vegan products could mean soy wax candles over beeswax. It’s not always clear though.
Palm oil, for instance, is a vegan product, it stems from the fruit of palm oil trees. However, palm oil farms are linked to deforestation and destroying habitats, and although vegan, some choose not to use items with palm oil in but this is a personal choice.
There are alternatives on the market, with handmade and vegan soap bars and skincare which are kind to the planet and to your skin.
How do i know if a product is cruelty free?
To find out what products or brands are cruelty free, there are many options. First, is to look for the cruelty-free bunny logo. This logo is certified, and companies have to be certified by the organisation and pay to have the logo on its packaging.
However, small companies and brands may not pay for cruelty-free log and still follow the same practices and regulations. PETA also has a licensing fee to use their bunny logo, and both organisations prices may be too much for some companies but it still meets all the criteria.
There may be other reasons as well, with limited space on packaging, some products may not have room to place the bunny logo.
We're proud our products are cruelty-free, check out our range of vegan soap bars and bath products that are kind to you and the planet.
There are other things in place, such as the EU’s ban on marking animal-tested cosmetic and ingredients, which restrictions on certain products being marketed as cruelty-free, so they don’t display it.
It’s also important to note each organisation’s cruelty-free standards differ, so it’s worth researching which bunny logo means the most to you with your own personal beliefs.
You could also email the company and ask, and send over any particular questions you have about being cruelty-free or concerns.
What do cruelty free brands test on?
Even though animal testing in most countries is in the past - thankfully - there are better ways to test products for cruelty-free brands. Now, sophisticated modern technology is able to create synthetic human cells and tissues, real cells, or human volunteers for testing. Not only does it mean no animals are harmed or put in danger, but it allows more accurate prediction and results. Human tissue is donated from surgery, and this can then be reconstructed for skin and eye models or whatever is needed for the test.
Human tissue aside, cruelty-free brands can also test using computer models and programs, which are able to determine results.
How to find out it certain products are cruelty free?
Now you’re accustomed to the information above, you can use it to understand if the toothpaste, deodorant, makeup, foundation, perfume, soap, shower gels or any cosmetic product is cruelty free. You can also use the same methods to find out if your favourite skincare, cosmetic or makeup brands are cruelty-free.
It is up to individual companies whether they pay the license fee and audit their supply chain. At buff. we work with our supply chain to ensure any of the raw materials and ingredients we use in our cruelty-free soap and cosmetic products were not part of any animal testing, and oppose of it entirely - it’s even in our company statement and legal filing requirements as part of UK law and Trading Standards.
We’re proud our products are cruelty-free, and vegan like our lip scrubs and soaps, and work one step further to not use palm oil in our formulas.
