Are you an animal lover? If so, then now is the perfect time to purchase a personal care or beauty product with conscience and take a stand against animal cruelty. Remember, ‘customer is king’. A consumer’s buying habit has the power to influence the way a business thinks and works. Honestly, if more and more people were aware of the cruel ways in which animals are tested before formulating new skincare or makeup products, then I am sure they would avoid buying them.
What Does Cruelty Free Mean in Cosmetics?
Like any firm, cosmetic companies too want their consumers to believe in their products. They want consumers to trust that their beauty products won’t damage their skin. For this reason, cosmetic giants have been using animals like mice, rabbits, monkeys, etc. in their labs for testing ingredients and/or finished products to confirm whether they are toxic, irritating, or allergic to skin.
However, times have changed. These days, there are many harmless and alternative methods to know if an ingredient is safe to use or not. This is where cruelty-free comes in. When a brand labels itself as ‘cruelty-free’, it simply means that the brand does not test any of its ingredients or final product on animals before they hit the market.
How to Know if a Brand is Cruelty-free
To date, there is no government agency that regulates or defines the term ‘cruelty-free’ or ‘no testing done on animals’. As a result, many companies claim themselves to be cruelty-free, even if this may not be the case.
Are Cruelty-free and Vegan the Same?
The answer is NO.
While cruelty-free products mean that no animal testing is done at any stage, vegan simply means that the product does not contain any animal-derived ingredient or its by-products (example: honey, beeswax, albumen (egg whites), lanolin, collagen, gelatin, squalene, etc.).
A cruelty-free product may or may not be vegan. Likewise, a vegan product (despite containing zero animal-derived ingredients) can be tested on animals.
1. Daughter Earth
If you feel that natural products are not as effective as chemically formulated products, then I must say your belief is wrong. Daughter Earth is a scientifically formulated Ayurvedic beauty brand that is vegan and PETA-approved cruelty-free. This brand is also earth-friendly, dermatologist-tested, and reef-safe; that is, it doesn’t use microbeads, nanoparticles, or chemicals like SLS/SLES, avobenzone, silicones, parabens, or oxybenzone in any of their products.
2. Plum
Founded in 2013, Plum is India’s first online-only beauty brand that focuses on resolving and treating your beauty concerns through research-based and plant-based active ingredients. Plum, a 100% vegan and PETA-certified cruelty-free brand, offers a wide range of clean products for your face, hair, and body, including some fabulous makeup products. Plum products are also free from parabens, SLS, phthalates, coal tar, and other toxic chemicals.
3. Forest Essentials
Forest Essentials is a luxury Indian beauty brand that is known for creating products that are 100% Ayurvedic formulations (inspired by the Ayurvedic recipes of the Ministry of AYUSH) and perfectly balanced with contemporary techniques and aesthetics. Forest Essential products are made with fresh, seasonal, and natural ingredients. The brand maintains the highest level of purity while conforming to strict quality control standards.
4. Colorbar Cosmetics
Launched in 2004, Colorbar is now one of the fastest-growing and most-loved beauty brands in India. This home-grown brand is recognized for providing skincare and makeup products that are 100% vegetarian, dermatologist-tested, and PETA-certified cruelty-free. An innovative beauty brand, Colorbar provides affordable luxury to its customers by offering a wide array of products for the face, eyes, lips, and nails.
5. Disguise Cosmetics
Disguise Cosmetics is one of the first Indian cosmetic brands to offer 100% vegan and PETA-certified cruelty-free products. This beauty brand is well-known for its incredibly moisturizing lipsticks with smooth formulations and intense color payoff. Besides their amazing lip colors, Disguise is also popular for their eyeshadows, nail paints, and multi-purpose glowsticks (which can be used as eyeshadow, eye liner, lip topper, and even highlighter).
6. Just Herbs
Just Herbs is a luxurious skincare, makeup, and haircare brand that is totally committed to offering safe, result-oriented, and PETA-certified cruelty-free beauty solutions using both traditional Ayurvedic practices and contemporary knowledge. The brand claims that all of its products include a complete ingredient disclosure and are made from certified organic and wild-crafted ingredients that are obtained from across the country.
7. Ruby’s Organics
Ruby’s Organics products are especially created for Indian skin tones and are free from alcohol, parabens, petrochemicals, gluten, and toxins. It is definitely one of the go-to beauty brands if you are looking for uncomplicated and skin-friendly makeup products.
8. Neemli Naturals
Neemli Naturals started off as a humble family-run startup selling safe, non-toxic, and vegan skincare products. The effectiveness of their products, loyal customer base, and great response from users then prompted the brand to expand their production and develop a line of products for skincare, haircare, and body care. Today, Neemli Naturals is one of the emerging premium skincare brands in the beauty market.
9. Earth Rhythm
Earth Rhythm (formerly known as Soapworks India) is a fast-growing, homegrown brand for smart and safe skincare products. The brand claims that their recipes are made using a combination of plant-based and earth-friendly ingredients and scientific research. All Earth Rhythm products, including their skincare, haircare, and limited range of natural makeup, are dermatologically tested, clinically effective, and come in colorful, and recyclable packaging.
10. Kama Ayurveda
If there is one Indian Ayurvedic luxury beauty brand that has successfully attracted a loyal customer base with their authentic, time-tested, and target-oriented remedies for skin, hair, and body concerns, then it is Kama Ayurveda.
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