(NaturalNews) After 20 years of being cruelty-free, companies like Mary Kay, Avon and Estee Lauder are once again testing on animals. Their excuse is that the Chinese government requires animal testing on products sold in China. Doubtful that is comforting to the animals who are tortured with burning chemicals in their eyes and on their skin in the name of greed.
All about the money
Despite the thousands of ingredients already deemed safe for use in personal care products, cosmetic companies are always looking for new ways to manipulate customers. To get a leg up on the competition, these companies change their formulas to include previously unused and formerly untested ingredients just so they can market them as new and improved. Of course this doesn't mean that they actually work better, just that they are slightly different.
Not wanting to lose out on a major source of revenue, Avon has bowed to the inhumane requirements of the Chinese without a fight, reports People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). This from the company who announced to the world in June 1989 that it was permanently ending all animal testing, including testing performed in outside laboratories. However, since Avon created a loophole in their public promise that they "will conduct animal testing only when required by law" it is possible that they have been testing on animals for years, and without informing customers.
Estee Lauder has a similar loophole, using the law as an excuse for unnecessary
cruelty. PETA reports that Estee Lauder also complied with the Chinese requirements without a fuss, and without telling customers who still think they are supporting a cruelty-free company. Of the major three, Mary Kay is the only one who is trying to convince China to change their policy, but is still using animal testing in the meantime.
Humane methods
Testing on animals is completely unnecessary. In addition to the thousands of ingredients that have already passed the testing phase for safety and efficacy, there are non-animal methods of
testing that produce the same results. Companies such as the non-profit
Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc. not only employs these cruelty-free
in vitro methods, they also teach them. Through workshops and webinars, laboratory staff are able to learn how to determine an ingredient's safety without injecting, force-feeding or topically applying ingredients on or into helpless
animals.
The
Institute for In Vitro Sciences is currently forming a coalition of experts to hopefully instruct Chinese scientists on humane testing procedures, according to PETA. Over 1,000
companies already use compassionate methods and do not support animal testing, and not just when it is convenient.
Some companies that test on animals, or are owned by one that does
Colgate
Unilever
Dove
Johnson & Johnson
L'Oreal
Garnier
Lancome
PZ Cussons
Procter & Gamble
Herbal Essences
Companies that never test on animals nor hire others to do so
Nature's Gate
PureOlogy
Arbonne
Seventh Generation
Almay
Paul Mitchell Systems
Alba
Botanica
Natura Essential
Planet
Wet N Wild
Companies that do not keep their promise to consumers need to be told that compassion and public trust are more important than money and marketing.
Sources for this article include:People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals: Avon, Mary Kay, and Estee Lauder Are Paying for Tests on Animals
http://www.peta.orgInstitute for In Vitro Sciences: Home
http://www.iivs.org/People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals: Search for Cruelty-Free Companies and Products
http://www.peta.orgOpposing Views: Top Cosmetic Companies Quietly Resume Cruel Animal Testing
http://www.opposingviews.comUncaged Protecting Animals: How to Spot an Animal Testing Company
http://www.uncaged.co.uk/animaltesting.htmOne Green Planet: Top Cosmetic Companies Reportedly Resume Animal Testing
http://www.onegreenplanet.orgAbout the author:Sarka-Jonae Miller is a personal trainer, massage therapist, novelist, and blogger. Get more health and wellness tips on Sarka's
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