Selecting cruelty free bodycare products is one way to live more sustainably, yet with so many eco and socially responsible seals and labels out there it can be confusing knowing which ones to look out for.

Cosmetic companies frequently affixed "cruelty-free" or "not tested on animals" claims to their products, yet what exactly does that entail?

Humane

Vegan body care products are free from ingredients derived from animals or byproducts, including arachidonic acid (derived from animal livers, widely used as cosmetic ingredients), caprylic acid (extracted from goat and cow milk, used to make soaps and ointments) and glycerin (an animal fat often found in lubricants and ointments). In addition, these products do not include ingredients tested on animals.

Cruelty free bodycare products also reduce environmental strain by using less energy-intensive and renewable sources as base ingredients, and minimizing pollution caused by foreign chemicals and materials that pollute our water systems.

Some vegan bodycare products claim they are cruelty free, yet only a select few hold official certifications as such. Certification only covers finished products; individual ingredients remain undamaged by this standard. Waldo's Friends has previously compiled lists of certified cruelty free makeup, skincare, and household brands so you can easily see which companies are making a positive difference with every product they release into the world.

Environmentally friendly

There are countless eco-friendly and cruelty free bodycare products on the market today, making it difficult to identify those with minimal environmental impacts. A good place to begin would be searching for products made with sustainable ingredients sourced locally as well as biodegradable or recyclable packaging materials.

Another key indicator of vegan bodycare products is whether they contain ingredients derived from animals (for instance, lanolin from sheep wool or squalene from shark liver oil are common animal-sourced components found in beauty products.) To be on the safe side it is a good idea to check that any animal ingredients present are actually plant derived (Lanolin from sheep wool or squalene from shark liver oil may contain animal derivatives that must come from plants).

Search brands certified by Leaping Bunny certification as this program makes shopping cruelty-free body care products simpler. They conduct tests on products for any harmful effects on animals before awarding the bunny seal to those that meet strict guidelines set forth.

Healthier

Since clean beauty is becoming more and more popular, there is now an abundance of cruelty free bodycare products for your body. We have curated some of the top plant-based and ethical brands ranging from natural shampoos to palm oil free soap bars.

Unfortunately, vegan and cruelty-free do not always mean the same thing. A product may be completely vegan while still undergoing animal testing during development; or cruelty free but contain ingredients derived from sheep wool or shark liver oil in its anti-ageing formula.

To avoid this scenario, ensure your chosen brand specifies that its products have never been tested on animals. Most ethical brands will make this claim clear on their labels while other may only apply it to finished products and not individual ingredients - that is why it is crucial to read through any fine print when shopping for vegan bodycare products. 

Ethical

When purchasing cruelty free bodycare products, it's essential to choose ethical brands. Many certified cruelty free brands avoid non-recyclable plastics and donate 1% of sales to environmental non-profits; many also support local and family owned small businesses; some have adopted an ethical community focused approach and source all their ingredients from Togo in Africa where fair wages are paid in addition to empowerment projects such as reforestation projects.

However, a brand can still be certified cruelty free while testing on animals due to certain certifiers' exceptions for specific countries or markets. China requires testing of general cosmetics but last year they did end mandatory animal testing on hair dye and sunscreen products; some brands work around this by selling directly into China via cross-border e-commerce - something not considered cruelty-free but not necessarily against Leaping Bunny standards either.

Necessary

Our world is so full of harmful chemicals and product waste that it is getting very difficult in several regions of the world to breathe! The world needs a change. Above this, it deserves a change. The use of cruelty free bodycare products promotes the betterment of our surroundings. More and more people should switch to using such products so that we can reach a point where minimum or no animals are harmed to serve the purposes of humans.

Also, vegan bodycare products are very much beneficial for our bodies. Therefore, something that is not only beneficial for us but also for society and the world as a whole should be appreciated at all costs. Such small changes in our life can mark the beginning of a great initiative to save the planet. Go for it!