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In this post, I’ll be addressing Younique’s animal testing policy and whether Younique should be considered a cruelty-free brand or not in 2021.
Younique’s Animal Testing Policy
It looks like Younique has updated its animal testing statement in 2021. Below is a screenshot of what’s currently stated on their website under each product page.
Based on this statement, Younique claims their formulas are not tested on animals by them or their manufacturers. And they strive to work with third-party manufacturers who share these same values.
However, this is not enough information for us to consider Younique to be cruelty-free so I emailed to ask if they vet and ensure all of their suppliers don’t test on animals? And if Younique is sold in China where animal testing is required for most imported cosmetics in 2021.
Is Younique Sold in China?
When asked if Younique is sold in China where animal testing is required for some cosmetics, they told me:
“We are currently open in Hong Kong where we are not required to test our products on animals.“
This is true. Cosmetics sold in Hong Kong are not required to be tested on animals. That’s because Hong Kong is not part of mainland China. And they don’t have the same animal testing laws as mainland China.
As long as Younique is selling in Hong Kong only, then they are not required to test on animals according to China’s regulations.
Read Also: What’s Going On With China’s Animal Testing Laws in 2021
Younique’s Cruelty-Free Policy Analyzed
Animal testing for cosmetics can happen at various stages of product development and manufacturing. We don’t just look into whether the finished product or formula was tested on animals, but we need to make sure the ingredients and their suppliers aren’t testing on animals either.
So when I asked if Younique requires all of their suppliers to abide by their no animal testing policy, they informed me:
“Please be aware we perform regular audits on all of our suppliers, which includes a review of processes and procedures, an assurance from them that responsible and ethical manufacturing practices are being followed, and an evaluation of the working conditions of their employees. Those same basic audits are performed by our suppliers on their raw material suppliers, and we review the documentation of those audits. If any potential issue were to arise during the audits that is unable to be addressed and resolved to our satisfaction, we would explore moving the business to a different supplier.“
It’s great to know that Younique performs regular audits with all of their suppliers but what concerns me is their overuse of vague statements and general claims.
Younique claims they have assurance from their suppliers that “responsible” and “ethical” manufacturing practices are being followed. These two terms are subjective and can mean different things to different people. So it doesn’t rule out whether their suppliers may be testing on animals.
I tried asking if those “ethical and responsible” practices include a policy against using animals for testing and unfortunately, Younique responded back with the same statement found on their website. That they “strive to work with third party manufacturers who share these same values”.
The problem I have with this statement is there’s a difference when a brand says they strive to work with manufacturers that don’t test on animals versus they only work with manufacturers that don’t test on animals.
When verifying brands to add to our Cruelty-Free Brand Directory, one of the criteria they must meet is requiring that all of their suppliers don’t test on animals. And it doesn’t sound to me that Younique has done this 100% to obtain a cruelty-free certification. And that’s probably why Younique is not certified cruelty-free by a third-party organization like Leaping Bunny or PETA.
I also have a screenshot of their old animal testing statement from their website in 2015. During this time, Younique stated they have not conducted an in-depth cruelty-free review.
Additionally, in 2015, Younique claimed they were in the process of obtaining cruelty-free certification. But as we know in 2021, they’re still not approved by Leaping Bunny, Cruelty Free International, PETA, or Choose Cruelty-Free.
“Younique does not test our products on animals. We are in the process of exploring/procuring official certification as a cruelty-free company. However, Younique has not conducted an in-depth cruelty-free review tracing each ingredient back to such ingredient’s original source at this time.”
It sounds to me that Younique still hasn’t conducted an in-depth review of making sure all of their ingredient suppliers don’t test on animals.
With everything being considered and Younique not being able to provide clarifications on their ingredient suppliers, I am unable to classify Younique as a cruelty-free brand or not.
For those reasons, Younique is on our Grey Area Brand List – Brands with Unclear Policies.
107 thoughts on “Younique”
Yes, and they have been going for over a year so this explanation is utter rubbish. I know a couple of Younique presenters (unfortunately) and they also spout rubbish to sell the products – to increase sales and commission of course! Most positive reviews on products are made by Younique ‘sales people’ as the market has now been flooded with them. I scream every time I find a shared advert on my facebook! Fair enough, if they were upfront, didn’t lie about products or state they were cruelty-free,, then I wouldn’t have an issue, I would be able to make an informed decision whether to purchase or not!
Well, I was going to order several items until I read they don’t seem to care enough to be animal cruelty free.
Hi everyone!
I am a proud presenter with Younique & there are a few key points about this company I’d like to point out to you all.
I recently attended a corporate conference in Canada where the founders were questioned about acquiring a cruelty free certification. Their answer is that while becoming certified is among the top priorities, it is not “THE” top priority. The top priority for this company and the reason it was founded is to Uplift, Empower & Validate women all over the world. They give women the ability to support themselves & build their confidence all while focusing on the support & healing for women who are victims of childhood sexual abuse. Proceeds from these products fund many programs to help these victims including The Younique Foundation, The Defend Innocence Campaign & Safe Haven Retreat in Utah.
There is nothing shameful about this companie’s purpose or practices I can assure you. This is not your standard direct sales company & I really just wanted to put into perspective for you where Younique’s main priorities really lie.
Great letter Tonia, I see Younique are being as dismissive as usual. There are many more reasonably priced makeup items available which are better quality and cruelty free = they simply seem to be working on marketing ploys and hype. Shame on facebook allowing this!
Thanks for the article and all the comments and information. I went to a Younique party last night and cruelty free was not mentioned until I raised a couple of questions. However there was no depth in the answers which has made me try and search for more information so thank you to all that have contributed to this.
Glad you found this post, Fiona! =) and I’m also happy to hear that you took the time to do your own research because it’s so easy to be convinced by their ‘strategic marketing tactics’ into believing whatever they are trying to sell you on.
At the end of the day, companies and sales reps will say anything to make a sale.
Hi Irene, I am a Blue Younique presenter in the UK, I am also a skin specialist and would not entertain a company that tests products on animals, I feel the same way as you ladies but after further investigation and confirmation from our product manager Jesse we are told that the products are not tested on animals. I have just enrolled a lady in Spain who would be more than happy to talk to you.
I was told by a unique representer that the company is working on being certified with the leaping bunny at the moment, which according to her takes 2 years to complete, wherefore the statement is still ‘not 100% cruelty-free’. What do you think about that?
Hey Jane! =) I’ve confirmed with Leaping Bunny and the process to getting certified does not take 2 years to be completed as the Younique rep claims. As long as the company provides all of the neccessary information and documents then they can be approved within one week! I’m not sure if the Younique rep meant that it will take their company 2 years to get all of that information and documents ready and if that’s the case, then Younique is still NOT cruelty-free because they haven’t verified with their ingredient suppliers that they don’t test on animals.
When Younique has all of that info ready, then there’s really nothing holding them back from being certified Leaping Bunny! =)