When purchasing beauty products, usually the last thing on your mind is “where did this product come from?” or “what is in this product?” Cosmetic and skincare brands market their products to draw the consumer away from thinking about what is in them. What the product doesn’t advertise, is that the product is being tested on an animal. Every year, millions of animals are burned, crippled, poisoned and abused while having beauty products tested on them.

The United States in one of the only advanced countries that does not have strict laws on animal testing. It is very easy for companies to get around the few laws that the United States does have. Most cosmetic testings are usually done on mice, rats, rabbits and guinea pigs, the tests are usually performed on the eyes or shaved skin. After they are tested, they are never given any treatment or pain relievers.

Companies test these products on animals because they are scared that the harmful chemicals in the product, could be damaging if tested on a human. This made me think, why are these brands even putting harmful chemicals and ingredients into their products? Not only are the products harmful to the animals, but the same ingredients are being put into the products that you use everyday on your skin.

Popular drugstore brands like Maybelline, Covergirl and Revlon all test their products on animals. Along with the drugstore brands, a few high end makeup brands test on animals as well, such as M.A.C, Bobbi Brown and Esté Lauder. These are all products that people use on their skin.

Our skin absorbs everything we put onto it, and most brands contain harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances and damaging toxins. Our skin absorbs all of those things and can cause clogged pores, skin irritation, premature aging and much more. That’s why it is a conscious decision to use healthier beauty products with natural ingredients that are biocompatible that cooperate with your skin to make your skin healthier and stronger. There are lots of brands that carry organic and cruelty free products, drugstore brands such as Pixi and Physicians Formula, as well as high end brands like Tarte and 100 Percent Pure.  

There are natural products available to all types of skin and price range, so the next time you are shopping for new skincare and makeup, you should consider switching to products that contain natural ingredients. By switching your beauty products with organic products, it will benefit not only your skin, but the animals lives as well.