When it comes to taking care of our skin, we all want the best of the best. After all, our skin is exposed to irritants and pollutants on a daily basis – and it can very quickly begin to look tired when we don’t take care of it. As a result, it’s no surprise that the brands known for their range of sensitive skincare products, such as Cetaphil, have gained more and more attention over the past few years. But does Cetaphil tick more boxes than one? Is Cetaphil cruelty-free and vegan, or is it one of the many brands that still tests on animals?
To help you out, we’ve investigated Cetaphil and its cruelty-free credentials to see whether it deserves a spot in your bathroom cabinet. Is Cetaphil cruelty-free and vegan? Here’s what we know in 2022.
Is Cetaphil cruelty-free?
Unfortunately, Cetaphil cannot be considered cruelty-free. Although Cetaphil claims that animal welfare is one of its top priorities, it doesn’t look as if the brand has managed to eradicate animal testing from its supply chain altogether.
Here’s what the Cetaphil frequently asked questions (FAQs) say in response to whether the brand tests on animals:
“As a responsible corporate citizen, animal welfare is also a key priority for the company. For this reason, Galderma does not test Cetaphil products or ingredients used in Cetaphil on animals at any stage of our product innovation, development or manufacturing processes.
Galderma has been utilizing industry-recognized, non-animal testing methodologies on its Cetaphil brand even before regulations prohibiting animal testing on cosmetics came into force in various countries.
These efforts are part of our commitment to ensuring the safety of our products, the wellbeing of our consumers and our contribution to society at large.
Nevertheless, some health authorities may conduct animal testing for certain cosmetic products prior to approval for sale on the market, as is still the case in China.”
Please note that although China relaxed some of its animal testing regulations in 2021 – a great victory – they are yet to be removed altogether. So, unfortunately, Cetaphil cannot be considered cruelty-free while it allows its products to be sold there.
You can check out the full statement on whether Cetaphil and Galderma test on animals here.
You can read more about animal testing and why it should be banned completely in our blog, available to check out here.
Is Cetaphil vegan?
If Cetaphil is not yet cruelty-free, then it cannot be considered vegan, either.
After all, there are two major elements to consider when deciding whether a brand is vegan:
- Does it test on animals?
- Are its product ingredients vegan-friendly?
Unfortunately, while Cetaphil allows its products to be tested on animals, it’s fallen at the first hurdle. But are any of its products vegan-friendly? If Cetaphil pledged to go cruelty-free in the near future, are there any products that you could buy with confidence?
We investigated, and at first, it wasn’t looking good. Just a quick inspection of Cetaphil products showed ingredients that may have come from animal sources, including stearic acid, glycerin, and capric acid.
However, Cetaphil came to the rescue with a clear-cut answer! Here’s what the brand says:
“Cetaphil products do not consist of any animal-derived ingredients and are not tested on animals.”
We’re glad to read this, as it means there’s a chance for Cetaphil to earn its cruelty-free credentials after all! With one box ticked, there’s just one left to go. We’ll keep an eye out for any updates from the brand with regards to this.
Top tip: Ingredients such as stearic acid and glycerin can be derived from both plant and animal sources, which can make shopping for vegan products difficult when items aren’t clearly labelled. However, you can always email brands to ask whether their ingredients are derived from plant or animal sources. Not every brand will label its products as vegan, but they may well be completely plant-based. Don’t forget to also check whether the brand is cruelty-free!
Vegan & cruelty-free alternatives to Cetaphil
Cetaphil is known for its wide range of skincare products, from its oily skin cleansers to its moisturisers with added sun protection. However, it’s not the only brand with a collection of skin-friendly products worth knowing about! At Vegomm, we like to give vegan and cruelty-free brands a chance to shine, which is why we’ve listed a few ethical places to buy your skincare. Happy shopping!
Note: Although we take great care to promote vegan and cruelty-free brands, we do urge you to double-check any products or companies mentioned here before you buy.
Kylie Cosmetics
Kylie Jenner may not be vegan herself, but we have to give credit where it’s due – her brand, Kylie Cosmetics, certainly is! In fact, according to the brand’s FAQs, it’s also cruelty-free. Result! Plus, with its dedicated skincare line, KylieSkin, you’ll be able to buy all the serums, face masks, and toners you want. You can take a look for yourself here.
Lush
We can always rely on Lush to give up the goods when it comes to vegan and cruelty-free skincare. With a gorgeous range of creamy cleansing balms, hydrating moisturisers, refreshing exfoliators and much more, Lush offers everything you need to keep your skin happy and healthy. You can start filling your basket here.
Buddha Beauty
According to this animal testing declaration, Buddha Beauty is not just cruelty-free, but also founded by vegans! What could be better? It also offers a wide range of wonderful skincare products to choose from, alongside home fragrances, massage oils, and bath products. If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all your skincare needs, Buddha Beauty could just be the one!
At Vegomm, we’re committed to helping vegans everywhere shop with confidence. We know it can be difficult to source cruelty-free products, which is why we like to take the matter out of your hands! Throughout our website, you’ll find guides to everything from the best vegan restaurants in Sheffield to the faux leather sofas we love.
We’d love to know what else you’d like to see, so get in touch to let us know!