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According to Cruelty Free International, half a million animals are used to test cosmetics around the world every year, which means more than 1,369 are used every single day.

Vegan vs Cruelty-Free: The Difference

Vegan and Cruelty-Free: The Difference

What Is Involved in Cosmetic Animal Testing?

Below are some common methods used to test cosmetics on animals. Horrifyingly, these are often performed with no pain relief for the animals. (Source: The Humane Society).

1. Eye irritation tests. This involves immobilizing rabbits in full-body restraints while chemicals and other substances are dripped into their eyes.

2.'Lethal dose' tests. This is where animals are forced to swallow or ingest large amounts of chemicals or other substances to try to determine the dose that would case death.

3. Skin irritation tests. For this, chemicals and other substances are rubbed onto the shaved skin of animals.

4. Tests in which animals are force-fed doses of chemical substances over weeks or months, so that researchers can look for signs of illnesses or health hazards such as cancer or birth defects.

What Are the Alternatives to Animal Testing?

According to The Humane Society, there are nearly 50 non-animal tests that are available for companies to use, and many more in development. These include tests on bacteria, tests on skin or tissue samples donated from humans, computer-based tests, and tests using chemicals. (Source: Cruelty Free International).


These tests have been found to be more accurate than their animal-based alternatives, as well as often being quicker and more cost-effective.

Companies also have the option of creating their products from the huge amount of ingredients that are already deemed safe and no longer need to be tested; there are already thousands of products on the market whose ingredients have a long history of safe use, and therefore do not require more testing.