What does cruelty free mean?
In the animal rights movement, cruelty-free is a label for products or activities that do not harm or kill animals anywhere in the world. Products tested on animals are not considered cruelty-free, since these tests are often painful and cause the suffering and death of millions of animals every year.
Why shop cruelty free?
Did you know that 80% of the world still allows animals to be used in cruel tests for personal care products? (some of which are nationally mandated, like in China) And almost all countries still allow animal testing for cleaning products. Countless rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and rats suffer and die worldwide in routine animal tests for the ingredients that go into deodorant, grooming products and soaps. But it doesn’t have to be this way; animal tests are being replaced with quicker, cheaper and more reliable non-animal methods. And companies can use ingredients which are already known to be safe.
Certify cruelty free cosmetics and household products
Hundreds of cosmetics, personal care and cleaning brands are certified cruelty free under the Leaping Bunny programme #leapingbunny, just like BOYZZ ONLY.
It’s the globally recognized guarantee that a brand has made a genuine commitment to ending animal testing for its products. Certified companies must meet the rigorous criteria, including independent audits, before they can display the Leaping Bunny logo.
4 tips for going cruelty free
1. Knowledge is power- do your research
Knowledge is key when it comes to shopping cruelty-free. It’s important to know what to look out for and which brands practice cruelty-free testing. The first step to becoming more aware is to find out which brands DO test on animals. A quick google search along the lines of "Does X test on animals" will do. Many cruelty-free brands and products will make a point to advertise that they're against animal testing, look for the symbols when you go shopping.
2. Don't forget the essentials
Deodorant, toothpaste, household cleaners? These are all part of our daily routine and things that we really need to be conscious of when we're shopping cruelty-free. Many deodorants, dental floss and mouthwash's are tested on animals, particularly supermarket and drugstore brands. So it may mean putting a little extra effort into your shopping to make these things in your life cruelty-free. The Choose Cruelty-Free website has a handy search bar that will let you search by item for brands that make deodorants, shampoos etc. that are cruelty-free! If you can't find them on any cruelty-free #crueltyfree lists, why not shoot the company an email with questions about how they test their products and ingredients? Most companies will have contact info on their website!
3. Take it slow
When becoming aware of the horrors of animal testing it's difficult not to want to completely overhaul your life straight away and throw all you existing cosmetics and hygiene products straight into the garbage. It's likely that many of us unintentionally have and regularly use products that are tested on animals #animals, but if you've just bought a whole new bottle of your favourite shampoo, there's no point throwing it away. This just creates more waste and stress when transitioning into your cruelty-free lifestyle.
The best thing to do would be to use that product until it's finished, and in the meantime research and sample some new cruelty-free brands until that shampoo is all used up! Take this change slow, you could decide that you want to start with haircare, then skin care and then household cleaning items. Make it gradual and have fun while doing it!
4. Have fun exploring!
The best part about going cruelty-free is the fun of exploring new brands and products and putting your money in places that will support businesses with good ethics. Cruelty-free cosmetics #cosmetics and hair care #haircare are often handmade and can sometimes be small, locally run businesses, so you're supporting a community of hardworking and caring people when you buy from them! Have fun and explore the world of cruelty-free beauty!
If you are vegan #vegan and like to go cruelty free make sure you now the difference.
What is the difference between vegan and cruelty-free?
The terms are used interchangeably, but mean different things.
If you’re a label-reader, then you’ll know how overwhelming the labels on beauty and grooming products can be. There are dozens of seals, certifications, and fancy descriptions, all declaring why a particular product is wonderful and why you should buy it.
But what does vegan actually mean? And how does it differ from ‘cruelty-free,’ another commonly seen phrase? The two terms tend to be used interchangeably, but they mean different things.
VEGAN means that a product does not contain any animal products or animal-derived ingredients. It describes the ingredients, rather than the production process. “Items that are tested on animals can claim to be vegan.”
CRUELTY-FREE means that the ingredients/components and final product have not been tested on animals. It refers to the testing process, not the ingredients, which means it is possible for a cruelty-free product to contain non-vegan ingredients, such as honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, albumen, carmine, cholesterol, or gelatin.
Some things to keep in mind:
A company can claim anything on a label, so look for accreditation by known and respected organizations such as Choose Cruelty Free, The Vegan Society, PETA #peta, or Leaping Bunny in order to know that the claim is backed up.
Vegan and cruelty-free do not necessarily mean that an ingredient list is clean, safe, green, or all natural. You still need to read the list carefully to be sure you’re not putting dangerous chemicals on your skin.
Be Cruelty-Free and end cosmetics animal testing—forever.
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