Is OGX Cruelty-Free in 2021? (What You Need To Know Before You Buy!)

Organix, OGX is a popular drugstore hair care brand, most known for their affordable nourishing shampoo and hair products made with exotic ingredients but is OGX cruelty-free?

Is Cruelty-Free?

OGX is NOT Cruelty-free. OGX sells its products in stores in mainland China where animal testing is mandatory for most imported cosmetics. As a result, OGX pays and allows its products to be tested on animals when required by law.

In addition, OGX is owned by Johnson & Johnson, a parent company that is also not cruelty-free.

OGX Animal Testing Policy

On OGX’s website, they claim they don’t test their products or ingredients on animals, except where animal testing is required by law.

Below is a screenshot of what’s currently stated on OGX’s company website:

Policies stating, “exceptions are made if the law requires it”, usually implies the company is selling its products in mainland China. Most imported cosmetics sold in stores in mainland China are required by law to be tested on animals.

Is OGX Sold in China?

When I asked OGX if its products are sold in stores in mainland China, they told me I can find their products in Watsons, the largest health and beauty care chain store in Asia. This confirms OGX is indeed sold in China.

Because of OGX’s decision to sell in mainland China stores, they must consent and pay to have their products tested on animals. That’s why most cosmetic brands selling in mainland China cannot be considered cruelty-free in 2021.

Read More: What’s Going On With China’s Animal Testing Laws in 2021

Although OGX 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, OGX refuses to do the same and has decided to put profits before the welfare of animals.

Summary: OGX is NOT Cruelty-Free!

To sum up, by choosing to sell in mainland China, OGX must have their products tested on animals. Therefore I would not consider OGX to be a cruelty-free brand.

Currently, OGX is on our List of Brands to Avoid – Animal Tested.

Brief History of OGX’s Cruelty-Free Status

If you were thinking, but oh wait.. wasn’t OGX cruelty-free at one point? what happened??? Let me try to explain.

OGX used to be recognized as a cruelty-free brand. However, they were sold to Johnson & Johnson. And shortly after, it was reported that OGX was selling its products in China where animal testing is required by law.

And if you were curious, I actually have a screenshot of OGX’s old animal testing policy before they changed it. This was taken in June 2016:

The company’s old policy sounds quite different from its current policy, doesn’t it? It’s a shame that OGX took a step back and went against their original ethos of not testing on animals after the Johnson & Johnson acquisition.

Is OGX Vegan?

Since we would not consider OGX 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 OGX to be vegan.

Cruelty-Free Alternatives OGX:

Looking for cruelty-free alternatives to OGX? We recommend the following cruelty-free drugstore hair care brands:

• Cake Beauty – 100% Vegan
• Giovanni – some vegan options
• Andalou Naturals – some vegan options, check labels
• Sukin’s – 100% Vegan
• Paul Mitchell – some vegan options

or check out our list of vegan drugstore shampoo and hair product brands!

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