Lately, I’ve been focusing a lot on being clean and healthy. Meaning, eating organically and with a lot less processed foods, sleeping early, being optimistic in life. Yes, Oregon changed me, friends. The movement to be healthier and be a “good person” has been big within the millennial generation. We see more farmers’ markets, super foods and innovative ways to use natural resource. However, we overlook every day products we use like make up. So here’s a list of beauty companies known to test on animals.

MAC

The very popular makeup brand known for their amazing lipstick formulas and colors is actually owned by Estee Lauder who tests on animals “where required by law.” Because of their expansion to the Chinese market, the company has to comply with Chinese law that requires any foreign beauty company to have their products tested on animals. Furthermore, since MAC is owned by Estee Lauder, they have to comply with the same regulations. Along with MAC, Estee Lauder owns Clinique, Bumble & Bumble, and Origins.

Sephora

The Sephora makeup brand is not cruelty-free. Because they sell to China, they are required by Chinese law to have their make up tested by a third party.

EOS

Eos also falls under the same category as MAC. The company famed for their spherical lip balms is said to not be testing their products on animals but they do sell on the Chinese market that requires paid animal testing by a third party. An email exchange between a representative and crueltyfreekitty.com shows the loophole that many companies jump through when they say they do not test on animals.

OGX

Formally known as Organix, the company focuses on organic and natural ingredients for their hair care products. Personally, their shampoo and conditioners healed my bleach damaged hair, earning them spots as my go to hair products. However, through a string of emails between an OGX representative and a blogger from http://kittyapprovedbeauty.com/, it was revealed that they comply to whatever laws and regulations put in place by the countries they sell to when it comes to testing. To view the whole conversation click here. Simply put, because they sell to China, the only country to have such a law in place, through a third party they test their products on animals. OGX, you were good while it lasted…

To be buying all cruelty free products seems unrealistic. Just like in any other market, there are these huge conglomerate companies who dominate the beauty market, owning a majority of smaller companies. For example, Estee Lauder who tests on animals owns MAC, Clinique and many other beauty companies, so buying from Clinique shows your support for Estee Lauder, which in turn supports animal testing. Because of these conglomerate companies, it makes it difficult to stray from animal testing, creating a sort of cycle of abuse.

To view a full list of beauty companies that are CRUELTY-FREE click here.