La Roche-Posay is known for their dermatologist-recommended skincare products but is La Roche-Posay cruelty-free or vegan in 2021?
Is La Roche-Posay Cruelty-Free?
La Roche-Posay is NOT Cruelty-free. La Roche-Posay pays and allows their products to be tested on animals when required by law. La Roche-Posay also sells its products in stores in mainland China where animal testing is mandatory for most imported cosmetics.
In addition, La Roche-Posay is owned by L’Oreal, a parent company that is also not cruelty-free.
La Roche-Posay’s Animal Testing Statement
La Roche-Posay states on their company website that they don’t test their products or ingredients on animals or delegate this task to others, but the only exception is if regulatory authorities required it.
I later discovered that La Roche-Posay is selling its products in China where animal testing is required by law for most imported cosmetics.
Below is what’s currently stated on La Roche-Posay’s company website:
This general disclaimer of “an exception is made if regulatory authorities require it” usually suggests that a cosmetic company is selling its products in mainland China where animal testing is mandatory for most imported cosmetics.
But is La Roche-Posay selling its products in China?
Is La Roche-Posay Sold in China?
After some research, I discovered that La Roche-Posay is in fact, distributing and selling it
Below is a screenshot I took from La Roche-Posay’s Chinese website clearly showing its products are available in China:
Because of La Roche-Posay’s decision to sell its products in-stores in mainland China, they must consent and pay the Chinese government to test their products on animals. That’s why most cosmetics brands selling in mainland China retail stores cannot be considered cruelty-free.
Read More: What’s Going On With China’s Animal Testing Laws in 2021
Although La Roche-Posay 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, La Roche-Posay refuses to do the same and has decided to put profits before the welfare of animals.
Summary: La Roche-Posay is NOT Cruelty-Free!
By choosing to sell in mainland China, La Roche-Posay must have their products tested on animals. Therefore I would not consider La Roche-Posay to be a cruelty-free brand.
La Roche-Posay is on our List of Brands to Avoid – Animal Tested.
Is La Roche-Posay Vegan?
Since we would not consider La Roche-Posay 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 the brand to be vegan.
Cruelty-Free Alternatives:
Looking to switch to cruelty-free products? Here are some cruelty-free alternatives to La Roche-Posay:
- COOLA – some vegan options
- Andalou Naturals – mostly vegan, check labels
- OSEA – 100% Vegan
- Paula’s Choice – some vegan options
- Juice Beauty – some vegan options
If you liked this cruelty-free resource, then please subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more resources and guides to living your BEST cruelty-free and vegan life! You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook.
Lisa
January 2, 2019On L’Oreal’s Website it says: ”L’Oréal no longer tests its ingredients on animals and no longer tolerates any exception to this rule.”
And also: ”L’Oréal has been the most active company working alongside the Chinese authorities and scientists for over 10 years to have alternative testing methods recognized (…) Thanks to this, since 2014, certain products manufactured and sold in China like shampoo, body wash or certain make-up are no longer tested on animals.”
Yes, they are not 100% cruelty free but they do not test their products on animals, the chinese Government orders other companies to do so. It’s cruel and horrible but I don’t think it’s fair to blame L’Oreal or La Roche posay.
Violet
January 27, 2019Sorry but I disagree and think it’s totally fair to say they’re not cruelty free.
They don’t have to sell in China. They’re making that choice to take their products there knowing they’ll be tested on animals before going to the Chinese market. Many brands choose not to do this and are very successful around the rest of the world.
If all the big brands boycotted the Chinese market and refused the testing then I’m sure things would soon change but unfortunately it’s all about the money rather than ethics.
Christine vercellino
December 13, 2018Animal testing should be banned. We know too much about the ruthless cruelty inflicted on innocent animals. There are so many good cruelty free products and we al need to show the bigger companies we will not stand for the suffering animals go through for our ego. We do this by not buying their products and informing others of company status.