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NARS is a French cosmetics and skincare company founded by professional make-up artist and photographer François Nars, but is Nars cruelty-free?
Is Nars Cruelty-Free?
Nars is NOT Cruelty-free. Nars pays and allows their products to be tested on animals when required by law. Nars also sells its products in stores in mainland China where animal testing is mandatory for most imported cosmetics.
In addition, Nars is owned by Shiseido, a parent company that is also not cruelty-free.
Nars Animal Testing Policy
On the company’s website, it states that Nars does not test on animals nor ask others to test on their behalf, except where required by law.
Below is a screenshot of what is currently stated on Nars’ website:
The disclaimer “except where required by law” usually implies that Nars may be selling their products in mainland China where animal testing is required by law for most imported cosmetics.
It is later confirmed that Nars is indeed selling its cosmetics in stores in mainland China and therefore it is mandatory for them to submit their products to be tested on animals by Chinese officials.
Is Nars Sold in China?
In June of 2017, Nars announced on their Instagram that they have decided to start selling their cosmetics in China, as a result, Nars has agreed to allow the Chinese government to test their products on animals.
“We want you to know that we hear you. The global elimination of animal testing needs to happen. We firmly believe that product and ingredient safety can be proven by non-animal methods, but we must comply with the local laws of the markets in which we operate, including in China.”
We have decided to make NARS available in China because we feel it is important to bring our vision of beauty and artistry to fans in the region. NARS does not test on animals or ask others to do so on our behalf, except where required by law. NARS is committed and actively working to advance alternative testing methods. We are proud to support the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS), a globally recognised organisation at the forefront of advancing non-animal methods in China and around the world. NARS is hopeful that together, we can work toward a cruelty-free world.”
Although Nars may not be conducting these animal tests themselves, they are knowingly consenting and paying Chinese officials to test their products on animals for them.
Many truly cruelty-free brands have chosen not to sell their products in China because of the country’s animal testing laws. Unfortunately, Nars refuses to do the same and has decided to put profits before the welfare of animals.
Summary: Nars is NOT Cruelty-Free!
By choosing to sell in mainland China, Nars must have their products tested on animals. Therefore I would not consider Nars to be a cruelty-free brand.
Nars is on our List of Brands to Avoid – Animal Tested.
Is Nars Vegan?
Since we would not consider Nars 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 Nars to be vegan.
Below is a screenshot of what is currently stated on Nars’ website about their vegan status:
In order for cosmetics to be considered vegan by ethical elephant‘s standards, they must not be tested on animals, anywhere in the world and must not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products.
Cruelty-Free Alternatives
Looking for a cruelty-free alternative to Nars? We recommend the following cruelty-free cosmetics brands:
- Too Faced *owned by Estee Lauder – some vegan options
- Tarte *owned by Kose – some vegan options
- COVER FX – 100% Vegan
- KVD Vegan Beauty *owned by Kendo, LVMH – 100% Vegan
