Chapstick (GlaxoSmithKline)

Last Updated: March 6, 2024

How Ethical Is Chapstick (GlaxoSmithKline)?

Make a positive impact by supporting companies with the same values and ethics as what matters most to you. To navigate and find ethical brands, here’s a summary of Chapstick's ethics and initiatives.

Ethical Analysis

Is Chapstick cruelty-free or vegan? We’ve got the answers here! Read below to learn more about Chapstick’s policies.
Chapstick is NOT Cruelty-Free. Chapstick may engage in animal testing by allowing its products to be animal-tested outside of the USA.
Chapstick does not claim or market itself to offer any vegan-friendly options. And since Chapstick engages in animal testing, we wouldn’t consider anything sold or produced by Chapstick to be vegan anyways.

Chapstick (GlaxoSmithKline)

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Chapstick is NOT Cruelty-Free!

Chapstick may allow its products to be tested on animals when required by law.

In addition, Chapstick is owned by GlaxoSmithKline, a parent corporation that is NOT cruelty-free.

Chapstick’s Animal Testing Policy

On Chapstick’s website, they claim in the USA, animals are not used to test their products, but then they go on to state that “certain countries outside of the USA may mandate animal testing for cosmetics.”

See below for a screenshot of what’s currently stated on Chapstick’s website:

Chapstick’s animal testing statement is confusing because they specifically state, “in the USA” that their products are not tested on animals and then stated a fact that other countries, outside of the USA, may mandate animal testing. By simply making this statement, it’s implied here that Chapstick may be selling its products in markets or countries that require animal testing (like China).

But it’s not exactly clear and from my research, I couldn’t find any evidence that Chapstick is or is not selling in China or any other country that requires animal testing for cosmetics.

And if Chapstick is not selling in those certain countries that may mandate animal testing for cosmetics, then why would they include this fact as part of their animal testing policy?

Truly cruelty-free brands will never allow their products or ingredients to be tested on animals. Cruelty-free companies have a policy where if the law requires them to test on animals then they will refuse to sell their products under those conditions.

For example, imported cosmetics sold in stores in mainland China are required by Chinese laws to be tested on animals upon registration. Therefore, truly cruelty-free brands have chosen not to sell in China in order to remain committed to their no animal testing policy.

Unfortunately, since Chapstick states that certain countries mandate animal testing implies they will allow their products and ingredients to be tested on animals if the law requires it. For those reasons, Chapstick is NOT cruelty-free by our standards.

Cruelty-Free Policies

At ethical elephant, we always assess a company’s cruelty-free policy using our Cruelty-Free Checklist. This ensures no animal testing was performed by the brand itself, its suppliers, and by any third parties, including when required by law.

See below for our complete cruelty-free checklist.

Complete Cruelty-Free Checklist

Is Chapstick Cruelty-Free?

Chapstick may be selling its products in countries that require animal testing and the company allows its products to be tested on animals when required by law. Therefore, we would NOT consider Chapstick to be a cruelty-free brand.

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

Is Chapstick Certified Cruelty-Free?

Chapstick is not certified cruelty-free by any third-party cruelty-free certifications like Leaping Bunny or PETA.

Because Chapstick is not certified cruelty-free by a third party, no one is looking into or substantiating Chapstick’s cruelty-free commitments and claims.

Is Chapstick Owned By A Non-Cruelty-Free Parent Company?

Yes. Chapstick is owned by GlaxoSmithKline, a parent corporation that still engages in animal testing in 2022.

Some cruelty-free consumers may choose to purchase and support cruelty-free brands owned by animal-tested parent corporations as they hope it will convince the parent company to become cruelty-free.

But in this case, Chapstick is NOT cruelty-free and neither is its parent corporation, GlaxoSmithKline.

Is Chapstick Vegan?

Chapstick does not claim or market itself to offer any vegan-friendly options. And since Chapstick may engage in animal testing, we wouldn’t consider anything sold or produced by Chapstick to be vegan anyways.

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. Also, they must not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products.

Cruelty-Free Alternatives to Chapstick:

Looking to switch to cruelty-free lip balms? Here are some cruelty-free brands to check out:

or Check out our Guide to Cruelty-Free & Vegan Lip Balms!

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