It’s no secret that animals have been used as part of cosmetic research for years all over the world, but do you know the real truth behind these testing measures? We’ve put together a list of 5 facts we bet you didn’t know about animal cosmetic testing. Check them out below to learn more:
1. 500,000 animals are harmed or killed every year in cosmetic tests.
It’s unfortunately true. According to The Humane Society, an estimated 500,000 animals suffer and die every single year as part of cosmetic tests. These tests are typically administered to ensure that the product and its ingredients are safe for consumers. One common cosmetic test involves rubbing chemicals onto the animal’s shaved skin, or dripping those chemicals directly into their eyes, to see if any skin or eye irritation occurs. Another popular cosmetic test requires force-feeding chemical substances to mice in order to learn if there’s signs of illness or health hazards associated with the product. This test can last for long periods of time.
Today, there are various cruelty-free alternatives to animal testing. For instance, now some cosmetic tests are done with the help of human cells and tissues, while others use advanced computer modeling techniques and studies with human volunteers.
2. 41 countries internationally have banned animal testing for cosmetics.
Currently, there are 41 countries that have full or partial bans on animal testing for cosmetic purposes. The Humane Society lists these countries as all the ones included in the European Union, as well as Australia, India, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway and South Korea. Mexico is the latest country to join this list, as well as the first North American country to pass this law.
3. Only 8 states throughout the United States have prohibited cosmetic tests on animals.
Within America, there are only 8 states that have banned cosmetic testing on animals. The Humane Society notes these states as California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey and Virginia — with New Jersey being the most recent to pass legislation; and 5 of 8 of these states passing their anti-cruelty laws in the last 12 months. While we are making progress to end these inhumane testing measures, ideally the remaining 42 states should ban the selling of products that have tested on animals.
4. The FDA does not have a standardized definition for ‘cruelty-free’.
Many people assume that if a brand claims they’re cruelty-free, then they’re cruelty-free. And, while that may be true for some brands, that’s not the case for all of them. The FDA, which is responsible for regulating cosmetics in the United States, doesn’t have any official guideline or legal definition for the term ‘cruelty-free’. Because of this, any company can technically state that they’re cruelty-free when they aren’t.
The best way to know if a brand is truly cruelty-free is to check out their certifications from respected organizations well-known for their animal rights work. At glowoasis, we are certified by PETA and registered with The Vegan Society. We’ve undergone strict assessment and met the highest standards to achieve these certifications.
5. Roughly 70% of people worldwide feel that animal testing for cosmetics should be illegal.
Cruelty-Free Kitty mentions that in a study by The Humane Society International, 70% of people around the world believe that we must end cosmetic testing on animals. This study polled individuals located in the United States, Canada, South Korea, Brazil, Japan and Taiwan. Results like this are very promising for the future of cruelty-free beauty and shows that there’s an increased awareness surrounding the truths of animal cosmetic testing.
We hope that after learning these facts regarding cosmetic testing on animals, you’ll join us in our pledge to go cruelty-free. We’ve made a commitment at glowoasis to always provide cruelty-free skincare to our customers. We love our fur-ever friends, so we promise to never experiment with animals or use ingredients that are derived from them. We also won’t ever partner with any factories that do.
To learn more about our cruelty-free promise, check out our My Skin Chooses Compassion campaign here.
