Redken (L’Oreal)

Last Updated: March 6, 2024

How Ethical Is Redken (L’Oreal)?

Make a positive impact by supporting companies with the same values and ethics as what matters most to you. To navigate and find ethical brands, here’s a summary of Redken’s ethics and initiatives.

Ethical Analysis

Is Redken cruelty-free or vegan? We’ve got the answers here! Read below to learn more about Redken’s policies.
Redken is NOT Cruelty-Free. Redken engages in animal testing by allowing its products to be animal-tested.

Redken is also owned by L’Oreal, a parent corporation that does engage in animal testing.
Redken claims its Nature + Science hair care range is “vegan,” but Redken engages in animal testing in some capacity, so we wouldn’t consider any Redken products vegan at this time.

Redken (L’Oreal)

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Is Redken Cruelty-Free?

☠️ Redken is NOT cruelty-free in 2023. Redken allows its products to be tested on animals when required by law.

Redken’s Animal Testing Policy

When asking, does Redken test on animals? We must look beyond to ensure none of Redken’s ingredients or suppliers test on animals. And they don’t sell in any country or under conditions that may require animal testing by law.

To assess whether brands are cruelty-free, I always start with the company’s official animal testing policy on their website.

On Redken’s FAQ page, the company states that its parent company, L’Oreal doesn’t test on animals unless regulatory authorities demanded it.

See below for a screenshot of what’s currently stated on Redken’s website:

Is Redken Cruelty-Free?

Based on their statement, we now know that L’Oreal owns Redken. And Redken has the same animal testing policy as L’Oreal where both Redken and L’Oreal state they make an exception to allow their products to be tested on animals if regulatory authorities demanded it.

Truly cruelty-free brands will never allow their products or ingredients to be tested on animals. Cruelty-free companies have a policy where if the law requires them to test on animals then they will refuse to sell their products under those conditions.

For example, imported cosmetics sold in stores in mainland China are required by Chinese laws to be tested on animals upon registration. Therefore, truly cruelty-free brands have chosen not to sell in China in order to remain committed to their no animal testing policy.

Unfortunately, Redken and L’Oreal state they will allow their products and ingredients to be tested on animals, if the law requires it. For those reasons, Redken is NOT cruelty-free.

Does Redken Test on Animals?

To wrap up, Redken allows its products to be tested on animals when required by law. Therefore, we would NOT consider Redken to be a cruelty-free brand.

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

☕️ Every week, I continue to reach out to new brands while trying my best to keep current brands updated. If you found any of my posts or guides helpful, consider Buying Me A Coffee! I would greatly appreciate it! ❤️

Cruelty-Free Policies

At ethical elephant, we always assess a company’s cruelty-free policy using our Cruelty-Free Checklist. This ensures no animal testing was performed by the brand itself, its suppliers, or by any third parties, including when required by law.

See below for our complete cruelty-free checklist. Since Redken allows its products to be tested on animals when required by law, we cannot classify the brand as being cruelty-free.

Complete Cruelty-Free Checklist

Is Redken Certified Cruelty-Free?

Redken is not certified cruelty-free by any third-party cruelty-free certifications like Leaping Bunny or PETA.

Since Redken is not certified cruelty-free by a third party, no one is substantiating or auditing Redken’s cruelty-free commitments and claims.

Is Redken Owned By A Non-Cruelty-Free Parent Company?

Yes. Redken is owned by L’Oreal, parent corporation that still engages in animal testing in 2023.

Some cruelty-free consumers may choose to purchase and support cruelty-free brands owned by animal-tested parent corporations as they hope it will convince the parent company to become cruelty-free.

But in this case, Redken is NOT cruelty-free, and neither is its parent corporation, L’Oreal.

Is Redken Vegan?

Redken is NOT vegan. Redken claims its Nature + Science hair care range is “vegan,” but Redken engages in animal testing in some capacity, so we wouldn’t consider any Redken products vegan at this time.

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. Also, they must not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products.

Cruelty-Free Alternatives to Redken

Looking to switch to cruelty-free hair products? Here are some cruelty-free brands to check out:

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What do you think

1 thought on “Redken (L’Oreal)”

  1. I am really truly surprised you didn’t list Kevin Murphy as one of the TOP other options for a cruelty free brand and also color line. They are 100% peta approved and verified. It pains me to see a salon carry “fancy” retail lines and tout clean beauty and high quality and cruelty free then go and use Redken color on the clients hair. Like why?!

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