Tag Archives: ask asa

Hey Rosés,

Image via CBS 2

On Monday night, after watching the color-blocking queen June Ambrose’s show Styled by June, I watched a cosmetics exposé on the CBS 2 New York 11 o’clock news. Asa Aarons of the investigative news series “Ask Asa” did a consumer report on the beauty industry and if cosmetics are truthfully labeling their products “cruelty free.” Below is a summary of his findings, what products are actually cruelty free, and how to differentiate.

Cruelty free refers to the practice of not testing cosmetic products or ingredients on animals. Asa revealed that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the cosmetics industry’s regulatory agency, has no legal definition for the term “cruelty free.” In essence, cosmetics companies have free will to say they don’t do animal testing.

So how do you know if your products are really cruelty free? Simple answer: you don’t know. Due to public outcry, scientific advances, and better knowledge of ingredients most companies no longer test on animals. But some companies still use animals to test outside components that will ultimately contribute to the ingredients in a product – these can still be labeled cruelty free.

To ensure you are using cruelty free products, look for the bunny logos above. Advocacy groups that have taken major strides to tighten the definitions and regulations on animal cruelty include People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (Leaping Bunny). These groups certify products as cruelty free with their bunny logo, stamping approval.

PETA has a search tool to look up almost every consumer product and brand’s status on cruelty free. Below are a few interesting finds:

Companies That Don’t Test on Animals

Cosmetics

AHAVA
LUSH Cosmetics
Yes to Carrots

Hair Care

Mixed Chicks
Organix Hair
Paul Mitchell Systems

Condoms/Lubricants
(yup, even these!)

Aurora’s Closet
BioFilm
Bronzo Sensuale

What are your favorite certified cruelty free products?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia