Animal Testing - Facts and Fictions

It simply is not true that cosmetic products must be tested on animals before being sold to consumers.  Period.  There is no reason - none - whatsoever, that animals must have chemicals put into their eyes or forced into their systems to test their "safety" before we can put said product onto our hair, skin, etc.  Check out this article: Animal Testing - Is it Necessary?

My favorite quote: "It is not enough to be compassionate.  You must act." by Tenzin Gyatso is a constant reminder to me that I must live my convictions, practice them - not just be upset by them.  In other words, you may look into those brown liquidy eyes of your cuddly pooch, and think "how could anyone ever hurt such a gentle being?", but if you then go to Wal-Mart and purchase Cover Girl mascara, Pantene shampoo, Suave deoderant...  most of the products mainstream companies entice consumers with, YOU are hurting such a gentle creature.  Indirectly, sure, but every time you purchase an item you show your support for the company that made that item.  And if you purchase items from companies who perform testing on animals, you, in effect, are supporting animal testing.

So - do something!  Quit feeling badly for all those poor creatures who are being tortured in faraway laboratories, and speak out.  The power of the consumer is very powerful.  It is extremely easy in today's culture to find products made by companies who do not perform animal testing.  Once you learn which companies do not and become familiar with where to buy their products, it becomes relatively easy in your day-to-day life to avoid products tested on animals, and thus take a stand that you do not find this practice acceptable.

A list of cruelty-free companies can be obtained from either the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics or PETA.  I have also done some legwork and put together this handy guide:

Easy Ways to Avoid Using Products Tested on Animals

Most supermarket and drug store shelves are laden with products manufactured by companies that use extensive animal testing.

When consumers purchase these products, they are supporting companies who perform cruel animal experimentation. By avoiding these products and purchasing items that were produced humanely and ethically, one is making a stand against animal testing, which is the only way it will effectively be phased out.

Today many products are available on the shelves of popular stores that do not engage in animal testing.

Following is a list of some products not tested on animals, including where to find them, to make choosing these items easy. If the product is also free of synthetic chemicals (such as pthalates, phosphates, sulfates and paraben) or organic, it is noted in italics.

Hair Care Products

Essence of Beauty (CVS)

St. Ives (CVS, Walgreens, KMart, Target, Wal-Mart)

Bioluxe (CVS)

Rusk (CVS, Walgreens, Target)

Paul Mitchell (CVS, Walgreens, Target)

Pureology (CVS)

TRESemme (CVS, Walgreens, KMart, Wal-Mart)

Alberto V05 (CVS, Walgreens, KMart, Wal-Mart)

Advanced Healthcare (CVS)

Nexxus (CVS, KMart, Target)

bioInfusion (Walgreens)

Cristophe (CVS)

Bio-Style (KMart)

Aviya (KMart)

Giovanni (Target, Wal-Mart)

Organix (CVS, Walgreens,KMart, Wal-Mart)

Renpure Organics (CVS)

Make-up/Skin Care Products

Wet n Wild (Walgreens, KMart)

Details Bath and Body (Walgreens)

St. Ives (CVS, Walgreens, KMart, Target, Wal-Mart)

Tropez (KMart)

Image Essentials (KMart)

Physician's Formula Organic Wear (CVS, KMart, Target, Wal-Mart)

Alba Botanica (CVS, Target, Wal-Mart, Publix)

Avalon Organics (Target, Wal-Mart, Publix)

Burt's Bees (CVS, Wal-Mart)

Wet n Wild Natural Wear (Walgreens, KMart) - Donates to nonprofit 1% for the Planet!

Ecotools (Walgreens, Wal-Mart) - Donates to nonprofit 1% for the Planet!

Kiss My Face (Wal-Mart, Publix)

Botanics (Target)

Shea Moisture (Target)

Yes to: Carrots/Cucumbers (Target)

Dr. Bronner's (Target, Publix)

Nature's Gate (Publix)

Badger (Publix)

Noah's Naturals (Wal-Mart) - Donates to nonprofit 1% for the Planet!

Goodstuff Organics by Freeman (Wal-Mart) - Also uses fair-trade ingredients!

Health Care Products (Toothpaste, Deoderant, Etc.)

Method (Walgreens, Target)

Tom's of Maine (CVS, Walgreens, Target, Wal-Mart, Publix)

Crystal Deoderant (Walgreens)

JASON (Target, Publix)

Household Cleaners

CVS Brand dish liquid (CVS)

CVS Brand bathroom cleaner (CVS)

CVS Brand glass and surface cleaner (CVS)

CVS Brand all-purpose cleaner (CVS)

CVS Brand all-purpose wipes (CVS)

Method laundry detergent (CVS, Target)

Method fabric softener (Target)

Method multi-surface cleaner (Target)

Method glass cleaner (Target)

Method abrasive cleaner (Target)

Method toilet bowl cleaner (Target)

Method wood cleaner (Target)

Method floor cleaner (Target)

Method dish liquid (Target)

Martha Stewart cleaners (bathroom, toilet bowl, all-purpose, dish, laundry) (Publix)

Mrs. Meyers (Publix)

Seventh Generation dishwasher detergent (Walgreens, Publix)

Seventh Generation multi-surface disenfectant (Target, Publix)

Seventh Generation laundry detergent (Target, Publix)

Seventh Generation dish liquid (Target, Publix)

Seventh Generation tub and tile (Publix)

Seventh Generation shower cleaner (Publix)

Seventh Generation fabric softener (Publix)

Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes (Publix)

Baby Products

Gerber Organic (Target, Publix)

Method (Target, Publix)

California Baby (Target, Publix)

Earth's Best (Target, Publix)

Burt's Bees (Target, Publix)

Avalon Organics Baby (Publix)

These were products carried at the CVS, Walgreens, KMart, Wal-Mart and Publix stores in Athens, Alabama and the Target store in Huntsville, Alabama. Products may vary at stores based on location.

Please comment on this article to add to/amend the above list.

If you want to take it one step further, you can write the major companies who perform animal testing and tell them you will boycott them as long as they participate.  This article also includes the information to do this.