If you're reading this, you likely care about what goes on your skin — and how it got there. As a makeup artist and animal welfare advocate, I am constantly asked: 'Which brands are actually cruelty-free?' and 'Wait, they STILL test on animals in 2026?'
The sad truth is yes. Despite massive strides in technology and alternative testing methods, many of the world's biggest beauty conglomerates still allow their products or ingredients to be tested on animals. Often, this happens because they choose to sell in mainland China, where animal testing is still required by law for certain imported cosmetics.
But don't worry! For every brand that still tests on animals, there is a beautiful, high-performing, cruelty-free alternative. Below, I'm breaking down the biggest culprits and giving you my personal, tried-and-tested clean beauty swaps.
❌ The Biggest Brands That Still Test on Animals in 2026
Many of these brands hide behind statements like 'We do not test on animals, except where required by law.' Make no mistake: if they pay for their products to be tested on animals to enter a foreign market, they are NOT cruelty-free.
Here are some of the most popular brands that still test on animals:
- L'Oréal (and many of its subsidiaries including Lancôme, Maybelline, Kiehl's, and Garnier)
- Estée Lauder (including MAC, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, Origins, and La Mer)
- NARS Cosmetics
- Benefit Cosmetics
- Revlon
- CeraVe
- La Roche-Posay
- Dior Beauty
- Chanel
- Armani Beauty
- Clarins
- Biotherm
- Aveeno
- Cetaphil
- Bath & Body Works
- Batiste
- Burberry Beauty
- Calvin Klein Fragrances
- Caudalie
- Banana Boat
It can be heartbreaking to see your favourite foundation or mascara on this list. But the good news? The cruelty-free and clean beauty market has exploded, and the alternatives are often better than the originals.
🐰 My Top Cruelty-Free Swaps (Pro MUA Approved!)
When you're ready to ditch the animal testing, here are the cruelty-free, low-tox products I use in my professional kit and on myself every single day.
Swap Your Skincare
If you've been relying on CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, or Kiehl's, you can get the same (or better!) dermatological results without the cruelty. Look for brands like Pai Skincare, Osea, Biossance, and The Inkey List. They offer incredible, science-backed formulations that are Leaping Bunny certified.
🛒 How to Shop Cruelty-Free With Confidence
The beauty industry is full of greenwashing and misleading claims. Here is how you can ensure your money isn't funding animal testing:
- Look for the Leaping Bunny Logo: This is the gold standard of cruelty-free certification. It means the brand, its parent company, and its ingredient suppliers have all been audited and verified.
- Check PETA's Database: While slightly less rigorous than Leaping Bunny, PETA's 'Beauty Without Bunnies' database is a great quick-reference tool.
- Beware of the 'Except Where Required By Law' Loophole: If a brand says this on their FAQ page, they test on animals. Period.
- Research Parent Companies: A brand might be cruelty-free, but if it's owned by L'Oréal or Estée Lauder, the parent company still funds animal testing.
- Shop Curated Edits: I spend hours researching brands so you don't have to! You can find all my fully vetted, cruelty-free, and low-tox recommendations on my ShopMy page.
Make the Switch — One Product at a Time
Making the switch to a fully cruelty-free makeup bag doesn't happen overnight. Don't throw away perfectly good products you already own! Simply commit to replacing them with a cruelty-free alternative when they run out. Every single purchase is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.
Browse all my cruelty-free, low-tox recommendations on my ShopMy page and let's make animal testing a thing of the past. 🐇💚
💄 My Top 5 Cruelty-Free Foundation Picks
Foundation is one of the most Googled cruelty-free swaps — and for good reason. Many mainstream foundations are owned by parent companies that still test on animals. Here are my tried-and-tested favourites, all cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and low-tox:
RMS Beauty SunCoverup Skin Tint SPF 50 — £42
A sheer, glowy skin tint with built-in SPF 50. Perfect for a natural, no-makeup makeup look.
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 30 — £50 | Code: EMJSPH
Skincare and makeup in one. Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and SPF 30 — this is my desert island product.
Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturiser — £32
Lightweight, dewy finish with a buildable formula. Gorgeous for everyday wear.
Tropic CC Cream Satin Skin Tint — £32
A UK-made, Leaping Bunny certified CC cream that evens skin tone beautifully. Great value.
Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25 — £35 | Code: EMJSPH
Buildable medium coverage with a skin-like finish. Niacinamide and peptides included — your skin will thank you.
✨ My Top 5 Cruelty-Free Concealer Picks
Concealer is another top-searched cruelty-free swap. These are my go-to recommendations — all cruelty-free, vegan, and clean-leaning:
Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer — £25 | Code: EMJSPH
Creamy, brightening, and packed with skincare. One of the best cruelty-free concealers on the market.
ILIA True Skin Serum Concealer — £30 | Code: EMJSPH
Serum-infused, buildable coverage that doesn't crease. A staple in my kit.
Tropic Illuma Light Diffusing Concealer — £18
An affordable, UK-made option that blurs imperfections beautifully. Leaping Bunny certified.
Ere Perez Lychee Crème Corrector — £28 | Code: EMJXCB
A colour-correcting concealer made with lychee extract. Gorgeous for under-eye circles and redness.
RMS Beauty ReFresh Eye Brightener SPF 30 — £32 | Code: EMJXCB
A tinted eye brightener with SPF 30 — perfect for a fresh, awake look with minimal effort.
👁️ My Top 5 Cruelty-Free Mascara Picks
'Cruelty-free mascara' is one of the most searched beauty terms in the UK. Here are my absolute favourites that I use in my professional kit and in my daily routine:
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara — £26 | Code: EMJSPH
Lengthening, conditioning, and buildable. This is my number one mascara recommendation.
Tropic Lash Boost Mascara — £22
A UK-made, Leaping Bunny certified mascara that delivers serious volume and length.
Saie Mascara 101 — £22
Clean, buildable, and smudge-resistant. A brilliant everyday mascara.
Ere Perez Almond Oil Mascara — £22 | Code: EMJXCB
Nourishing almond oil formula that conditions lashes while adding definition. One of the cleanest mascaras available.
INIKA Organic Vegan Mascara — £24 | Code: EMJ2025
Certified organic, vegan, and cruelty-free. A cult favourite in the clean beauty world.
💋 My Top 5 Cruelty-Free Lipstick Picks
Finding a truly clean, cruelty-free lipstick is harder than you'd think — most mainstream lipsticks contain petroleum, plastic, and synthetic dyes. Here are my top picks that are as clean as possible:
Ere Perez Coco Crayon — £26 | Code: EMJXCB
A creamy lip crayon with a plant-derived wax base. No mineral oil, no fragrance, no plastic. My everyday lip staple.
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick — £22
Coloured with real fruit pigments — cherry, grape, and berry. One of the cleanest lipstick formulas available anywhere.
INIKA Organic Lipstick Crayon — £26 | Code: EMJ2025
Certified organic, cruelty-free, and vegan. A comfortable, long-wearing formula with mineral pigments.
Tropic Kiss Me Quick Lipstick — £20
UK-made, Leaping Bunny certified, and great value. A creamy, comfortable everyday lipstick.
Kosas Wet Stick Moisturising Shiny Sheer Lipstick — £22 | Code: EMJSPH
A glossy, sheer lip colour with a moisturising formula. Perfect for a fresh, effortless look.
🛍️ Shop All My Cruelty-Free Recommendations
Want to explore more cruelty-free, vegan, and low-tox beauty picks? Browse my full cruelty-free beauty edit on ShopMy — everything I recommend is handpicked, tested, and genuinely loved. All links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting ethical beauty! 🐇💚
