Is Algenist Cruelty-Free?

Algenist is NOT Cruelty-free. Algenist pays and allows their products to be tested on animals when required by law. Algenist also sells its products in stores in mainland China where animal testing is mandatory for most imported cosmetics.

Algenist Animal Testing Statement

On Algenist’s website, they claim “Algenist does not conduct animal testing, nor ask others to test on our behalf, unless required by law, regulation, or a governmental authority.”

Policies stating, “exceptions are made if the law requires it”, usually implies the company is selling its products in mainland China. Most imported cosmetics sold in stores in mainland China are required by law to be tested on animals.

Is Algenist Sold in China?

I later discovered that Algenist is sold in China. For example, on Sephora’s Chinese website, Algenist is listed as one of the brands they sell.

This confirms that Algenist is selling in China where animal testing is mandatory for most imported cosmetics.

Because of Algenist’s decision to sell in mainland China stores, they must consent and pay to have their products tested on animals. That’s why most cosmetics brands selling in mainland China cannot be considered cruelty-free in 2021.

Although Algenist may not be conducting these animal tests themselves, they are knowingly allowing Chinese authorities to test their products on animals in order to sell in China.

Many truly cruelty-free brands have chosen not to sell their products in China because of the country’s animal testing laws. Unfortunately, Algenist refuses to do the same and has decided to put profits before the welfare of animals.

Summary: Algenist is NOT Cruelty-Free!

To sum up, by choosing to sell in mainland China, Algenist must have their products tested on animals. Therefore I would not consider Algenist to be a cruelty-free brand.

Currently, Algenist is on our List of Brands to Avoid – Animal Tested.

Is Algenist Vegan?

Since we would not consider Algenist to be cruelty-free as their products are tested on animals when required by law, we also wouldn’t consider anything sold or manufactured by Algenist to be vegan.

In order for products to be considered vegan by ethical elephant’s standards, the products and their ingredients must not be tested on animals, anywhere in the world, and also must not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products.

I also noticed Sephora listing some of Algenist products in their “Vegan Skincare” category but note that Algenist is NOT cruelty-free. Algenist products are tested on animals.

I’m assuming Sephora is labeling products as “vegan” when they’re formulated without any animal ingredients or by-products. But “Vegan” Cosmetics should also consider whether the products or its ingredients were tested on animals, anywhere in the world.

Cruelty-Free Alternatives to Algenist

Looking to switch to cruelty-free cosmetics? Here are some cruelty-free brands that are similar to Algenist:

• Drunk Elephant *owned by Shiseido – some vegan options
• Tatcha *owned by Unilever – some vegan options
• Perricone MD – some vegan options
• Kari Gran – some vegan options
• StriVectin – some vegan options