You can find Ouidad products on Amazon and at Ulta.

Ouidad is Cruelty-Free

Ouidad has confirmed they do not test their products or ingredients on animals or ask others to test on their behalf. Their suppliers also do not test on animals, nor do they allow their products to be tested on animals when required by law. And finally, their products are not sold in stores in mainland China or any other country that may require animal testing.

By our standards, we would consider Ouidad to be Cruelty-Free.

What About China’s Animal Testing Laws?

As of May 1, 2021, some imported ordinary cosmetics can be exempt from animal testing under certain conditions. However, for the most part, animal testing is still legally required for most imported cosmetics in 2021.

But Ouidad has confirmed they do not sell their products in retail stores in mainland China; therefore, they are not required to test on animals.

Cruelty-Free Policies

Note that there is no legal definition for the label ‘Cruelty-Free.‘ It can mean different things to different people. But Cruelty-Free is generally used to imply no animal testing. More specifically, the ingredients, formulation, or finished product are not tested on animals at any stage of product development.

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, and by any third parties.

Also, note that Cruelty-Free and Vegan don’t always mean the same thing.

Ouidad is Not 100% Vegan

‘Vegan’ in cosmetics can refer to an entire brand that is 100% Vegan or a specific product is vegan.

In the case of Ouidad, not all of their products are vegan. But they have some products that are suitable for vegans.

How to know which of Ouidad products are vegan?

Below is a list of Ouidad products that are suitable for vegans and do not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products. This vegan product list was provided by Ouidad.

• Curl Immersion™ Low-Lather Coconut Cleansing Conditioner
• Curl Last™ Flexible-Hold Hairspray
• Curl Quencher® Moisturizing Conditioner
• Curl Quencher® Moisturizing Shampoo
• Curl Quencher® Moisturizing Styling Gel
• Curl Recovery™ Melt Down Extreme Repair Mask
• Finishing Mist Setting & Holding Spray
• KRLY® Kids No More Knots Conditioner
• KRLY® Kids No Time For Tears Shampoo
• KRLY® Kids Pump & Go Spray
• Moisture Lock™ Leave-In Conditioner
• Mongongo Oil Multi-Use Curl Treatment
• PlayCurl® Curl Amplifying Styling Spray
• Shine Glaze Serum
• VitalCurl™+ Balancing Rinse Conditioner
• VitalCurl™+ Clear & Gentle Shampoo
• VitalCurl™+ Soft Defining Mousse
• VitalCurl™+ Tress Effects® Styling Gel
• Whipped Curls™ Daily Conditioner & Styling Primer

Vegan Policies

Similar to ‘Cruelty-Free,’ there is no standard or legal definition for the label ‘Vegan.’ But it’s usually used in the context to describe something that doesn’t contain any animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products.

Some common animal products used in cosmetics include carmine, lanolin, snail mucus, beeswax, honey, pearl or silk-derived ingredients, animal-based glycerin, keratin, and squalene.

There are plant-based and synthetic alternatives to animal-derived ingredients. But it’s sometimes difficult to know with certainty whether a product is vegan just by reading the ingredient list.

So it’s best to ask the company and manufacturers to ensure the ingredients they’ve chosen to use were from non-animal sources.

Ethical Mica Mining Policy

Mica is a mineral that’s used in cosmetics to add a shimmery effect. But the mining of natural mica has been linked to child labor and human rights violations.

Unless a company publicly addresses its mica mining policy, we have no way of knowing whether its mica is ethically sourced without child or forced labor.

So I asked Ouidad if their mica is ethically sourced without the use of child labor and they responded by stating,

“We have Mica in the two products below:

Bye-Bye Breakage™ Strengthening + Thickening Scalp Serum
Heavy Lifting Bubbling Scalp Mask

We can confirm that our Mica is sourced without the use of child labor and we have strict standards that our manufacturers are required to meet in order to ensure compliance.”