Is Maybelline Cruelty Free? | Does Maybelline Test on Animals?

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 products are sold in mainland China and are required by law to be tested on animals.

It should also be noted that Maybelline is owned by L’Oreal, a parent corporation that does test on animals when required by law.

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 appears on Maybelline’s website:

Based on their website, Maybelline has the same animal testing policy as L’Oreal and what is concerning about their policy is the part I highlighted, “An exception could only be made if regulatory authorities demanded it for safety or regulatory purposes.”

This disclaimer implies that Maybelline may be selling its products in mainland China where animal testing is required by law for all imported cosmetics.

So this led us to ask, is Maybelline selling in China?

Maybelline Sold in China?

I found evidence of Maybelline selling its products in China. Below is a screenshot taken from their Chinese website.

Because of Maybelline and L’Oreal’s decision to sell their products in China, they must consent and pay to have the local Chinese authorities test their products on animals before they’re allowed to sell in their country.

Although Maybelline and L’Oreal may not be conducting these animal tests themselves, but they are allowing and paying Chinese officials to do it for them.

Unfortunately, we would not consider Maybelline to be cruelty-free because their products are sold in mainland China and are required by law to be tested on animals.

Many cruelty-free cosmetic brands, like Milani, ELF, and NYX, have chosen not to sell in China because of their animal testing requirements, why can’t Maybelline do the same?

Is Maybelline Vegan?

Since we do not consider Maybelline to be cruelty-free, we also would not consider any products produced or manufactured by Maybelline to be vegan to our standards.

In order for products to be considered vegan by ethical elephant’s standards, the products and its 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
• NYX Cosmetics (owned by L’Oreal)
• Essence