
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.
Annie
July 31, 2019Will you update this now that they have stopped enforcing animal testing in China and la Roche posay have stopped animal testing?
Vicky Ly
July 31, 2019Animal testing for all imported cosmetics is STILL required by law in mainland China.
Recent changes to their animal testing laws only apply to ordinary domestically produced cosmetics which no longer require PRE-market animal testing.
However, it should be noted that POST-market animal testing may still occur. Post-market animal testing is when the Chinese officials will pull a product off from store shelves and test them on animals, this is often done without the company’s knowledge or consent.
China announced that they are working on reducing the number of POST-market tests using animals however this is only a reduction and not a complete end to the procedures.
There has been nothing changed for imported and special-use cosmetics which still require animal testing by law. This is the case for La Roche-Posay.
So, La Roche-Posay is still NOT cruelty-free as their products and ingredients are required by law to be tested on animals in mainland China.
Nel
March 27, 2019Thank you for your web site. I have been becoming really aware of animal testing not just on cosmetics but on other common things like cleaning products. Your web site has confirmed a couple of products that I love but will now no longer purchase on principle. I will happily find something else that will be just as nice if not better and will be better anyway because it will cruelty free.
Shame on those companies who conduct animal testing or allow it for export… there is no excuse when there are so many successful products being sold without the need for animal testing.
These poor animals need a voice. Thank you.