Maybelline is a popular American drugstore makeup and cosmetic brand sold worldwide but is Maybelline cruelty-free?
Is Maybelline Cruelty Free?
Maybelline is NOT Cruelty-free. Maybelline pays and allows their products to be tested on animals when required by law. Maybelline also sells its products in stores in mainland China where animal testing is mandatory for most imported cosmetics.
In addition, Maybelline is owned by L’Oreal, a parent company that is also not cruelty-free.
Maybelline Animal Testing Policy
Maybelline states on its website that Maybelline is a subsidiary brand of L’Oreal and then proceeds to tell us about L’Oreal’s animal testing policy stating, “L’Oréal no longer tests any of its products or any of its ingredients on animals, anywhere in the world nor does L’Oréal delegate this task to others. An exception could only be made if regulatory authorities demanded it for safety or regulatory purposes.”
Below is a screenshot of what’s currently stated on Maybelline’s company website:
What is concerning about their policy is the part I highlighted,
The general disclaimer, “An exception could only be made if regulatory authorities demanded it for safety or regulatory purposes” usually implies that the company is selling its products in mainland China where animal testing is required by law for most imported cosmetics.
So this led us to ask, is Maybelline selling in China?
Is Maybelline Sold in China?
I found evidence of Maybelline selling its products in China. Below is a screenshot I took from their Chinese website:
Because of Maybelline’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 Maybelline 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, Maybelline refuses to do the same and has decided to put profits before the welfare of animals.
Summary: Maybelline is NOT Cruelty-Free!
Maybelline allows their products to be tested on animals when required by law. Also, by choosing to sell in mainland China, Maybelline must have their products tested on animals. Therefore I would not consider Maybelline to be a cruelty-free brand.
Maybelline is on our List of Brands to Avoid – Animal Tested.
Is Maybelline Vegan?
Since we would not consider Maybelline 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 Maybelline 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.
Cruelty-Free Alternatives:
Looking for a cruelty-free alternative to Maybelline? We recommend the following cruelty-free affordable, drugstore makeup brands:
- ELF Cosmetics – 100% Vegan
- Milani – some vegan options
- NYX Cosmetics *owned by L’Oreal – some vegan options
- Essence – some vegan options
- ColourPop – some vegan options
or check out our list of drugstore cruelty-free makeup brands!
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Kim Rollo
August 8, 2020I am deeply disturbed that in the year 2020, so many cosmetic companies STILL test on animals. With all the knowledge we now have about toxins, carcinogens, etc., I find it unfathomable. I stopped using products tested on animals years ago. Why am I so upset? When talking with others about cosmetics, I invariably get a response like “I’m not giving up my MAC makeup. It’s the best.” And, of course MAC is one of hundreds of brands that still follow this barbaric practice. What should we do? I feel that a majority of consumers prefer to turn a blind eye to what goes on. I might be able to convince a few to purchase only cruelty-free, but until it becomes required across the board to ban animal testing, my hands are tied. I wish we could put a bill before Congress.