When it comes to beauty and skincare products, it’s not just about how they make us look and feel – it’s also about how they are made and the values of the brands behind them. As a conscious consumer, you must be wondering whether Revlon tests its products on animals, or if it is vegan or not.
In this article, we will dive into the question of whether Revlon’s products are tested on animals, and what this means for those who are looking for cruelty-free options. Also, we will briefly take a look at why cosmetics should not be tested on animals.
Sounds good? then let’s begin.
In This Article:
A brief introduction to Revlon
Revlon is a cosmetics company founded in 1932 in the US by 3 members (Charles, Joseph Revson, and Charles Lachman). In the beginning, it specialized in the production and sale of single nail polish. However, it continuously expanded its business and product lines and gradually became a leader in cosmetics and skin care products. Today, this brand is offering a wide range of products from beauty tools to makeup, hair, and nails that are sold worldwide.
Does Revlon test on animals?
Even though the company claims that they have not conducted animal testing for over a decade now, Revlon is not cruelty-free. Our research on the matter suggests that even if Revlon does not conduct animal testing directly, that does not mean they are totally out of it. And the following evidence will support our statement.
The first thing we are going to look at is the official statement by the company about its animal testing policy.
Take a look at the part where it states that “…Regulatory authorities in some countries conduct independent testing in order to satisfy their own mandatory registration requirements and a limited number of these countries have not yet adopted alternative testing methods…”.
What do you think that means?
Well, for starters, they are simply misrepresenting the fact about animal testing. Even if they don’t do it themselves, ”the independent testing authorities” do it for them. Any brand that is truly cruelty-free would never go for options where any of its products or even ingredients are tested on animals.
Secondly, it points to the fact that Revlon sells its products in mainland China. And that is important because it is required by Chinese law that products that are imported to Mainland China and sold in the stores are tested on animals. All the brands that are truly cruelty-free don’t sell their products in China because of that reason.
Another interesting fact is that Revlon used to be on PETA’s list of cosmetic brands not tested on animals until 2012. (PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). However, in 2012, the brand started marketing its products in the Chinese market, and PETA removed it from the list of brands that do not test their products on animals. PETA has also called upon Revlon several times to explain whether they pay for animal testing. And as you might have imagined, the response has always been “silence”. And that says a lot about the company and its animal testing policy.
Considering that, Revlon is not completely cruelty-free, it’s true.
Is Revlon completely vegan?
Other than cruelty-free, Revlon doesn’t say anything about their vegan products. They’re one of the brands that use a lot of ingredients like carmine, lanolin, and beeswax in their formula. These are ingredients extracted from animals. For this reason, Revlon is not completely vegan. You can check their product listing for more.
Why should cosmetics not be tested on animals?
Animal testing is cruel and inhumane. Imagine the pain these little souls go through when they are subjected to these lethal experiments.
Cosmetics are often tested on animals for a variety of reasons. For instance, to determine the effectiveness of these products, or to ensure these products don’t have any potential side effects on the health of users. And it all seems okay until you actually think about it. Animals and humans have different physiology and metabolism. Therefore, the test results from animals may not even accurately predict how the product will affect humans.
On the other hand, animal testing is no longer a necessity because there are better alternatives available. For instance, in vitro testing that involves tissues and cells doesn’t require animals for testing. Another great alternative is computer modeling. And there are many other possibilities. But somehow, companies are not willing to change the way they do things.
The only hope I see in such a situation is that consumers are becoming more and more aware of this situation. And due to that, there are many companies that have switched to cruelty-free alternatives for their products. Moreover, many celebs in the world are at the forefront of the trend of saying “No” to Animal Testing. Check out the following examples:
- On the website of Kora Organics, a skincare brand started by supermodel Miranda Kerr, they emphasize that “Both Miranda and KORA Organics fully support the fight against animal cruelty. Our products are not tested on animals and are classified as Vegan.”
- Pop star Rihanna believes in brands with cruelty-free products. She’s also launched her own line of products – ones that aren’t tested on animals.
How to identify products that are not cruelty-free?
It’s not too difficult to discover if a brand is cruelty-free or not. Most brands publish their certifications on their website for marketing goals. You can visit their website to check them out. But the best way to identify a cruelty-free brand is to search the official PETA homepage. You just need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit PETA’s cruelty-free testing website here.
Step 2: In the “Cruelty-Free Companies by Product Type” category, select “Cosmetics” or whatever type of product you want. You can also choose other categories like “Cruelty-Free Product Availability by Country/Region” or “Companies That Don’t Test on Animals”.
Step 3: Click the “search” icon and see the results.
The best cruelty-free products to replace Revlon
If you choose to stop purchasing Revlon products, there are better alternatives. You can check out some cruelty-free products from the following brands:
- The Body Shop
- ELF
- Lush
- L’OREAL
- COTY
- Essence
- Milani
- Urban Decay
Conclusion
In conclusion, Revlon’s stance on animal testing is somewhat ambiguous. While the company has stated that it does not test its finished products on animals, its actions point otherwise. In addition, Revlon’s products are sold in countries where animal testing is required by law, which raises concerns about the brand’s commitment to cruelty-free practices.
Given these factors, it is difficult to definitively say whether Revlon is a cruelty-free brand. Consumers who are looking for truly cruelty-free products should consider seeking out brands with stronger and more transparent policies on animal testing.
Many other cosmetic brands may have clever marketing practices to “greenwash” their policies on animal testing, like Revlon. Therefore, we hope that you have a clear and sober point of view on this issue. If you’re into cruelty-free beauty, let’s encourage Revlon and other brands to ditch animal testing.
Finally, we would love to get your thoughts on the matter, so feel free to leave a comment below or reach out via info@productanalogy.com. We would love to hear from you.
