It’s a little confusing when you look up MAC cosmetics website and they have a statement saying that MAC does not test on animals. However when you dig further you find that this is actually not the case. So let’s get at the truth and discover if MAC Cosmetics is truly cruelty free in 2020 or not?
Under ‘animal testing’ on the footer tab of MAC cosmetics menu you’ll come across this statement:
WORKING TOWARD A CRUELTY-FREE WORLD
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M·A·C does not test on animals. We do not own any animal testing facilities and we never ask others to test on animals for us. While some governments conduct animal testing to prove safety before they will allow us to sell our products, M·A·C has never tested on animals and we continue to be a leader in the movement to end animal testing globally. To this end, we are proud to partner with IIVS (INSTITUTE FOR IN VITRO SCIENCES) to expand the use and acceptance of non-animal testing methods worldwide.
WHAT DOES CRUELTY-FREE MEAN?
According to the dictionary, cruelty-free is a cosmetic or other product developed without being tested on animals; pertaining to a product created without being tested on animals.
They’re a bit more to that definition when it comes to cosmetics. For a product or company to be considered cruelty-free it needs to meet the following criteria:
- Does not test their products or ingredients on animals
- Does not authorize third-parties to test their products or ingredients on animals
- Does not sell in a country where animal testing is required
When a company is declaring their cruelty-free status they are talking about their manufacturing process and materials in the present time.
BUT!! MAC Cosmetics is not certified Cruelty Free by Leaping Bunny, Peta or Cruelty Free International! And Mac is also sold in China.
Mac is owned by Estée Lauder, whose animal testing policy is not to test on animals unless required by law. But because MAC is sold in China, where animal testing is required, MAC isn’t a cruelty-free company. Boo!
From The MAC Cosmetic Website:
Which countries require animal testing?
China tests on animals as part of its safety assessment of cosmetic products. We love our fans and we never want to exclude them anywhere.
How does M·A·C test its products for safety and efficacy?
We use human volunteers and we conduct or commission in vitro testing.
Does M·A·C own any animal testing facilities?
No. We don’t own any animal testing facilities anywhere in the world.
***Remember that brands willingly sell their products in China even though they know their products will be tested on animals.
The statement “We love our fans and we never want to exclude them anywhere.” tells you that MAC Cosmetics values profits over animal welfare. Please don’t support brands like these that are tested on animals when there are so many wonderful Cruelty free alternatives.
CONCLUSION
Based on all the facts above, MAC Cosmetics is NOTCRUELTY FREE. Their products are sold in mainland China and can be subjected to animal testing required by law.
Please sign the petition to stop harmful animal testing globally! We can do this!
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Is MAC Cosmetics Cruelty-Free?
MAC is NOT cruelty-free. MAC sells products in China where animal testing is required by law.
Is MAC Cosmetics PETA Certified?
No, MAC is not PETA Certified. PETA also lists MAC as a company that tests on animals.
Is MAC Cosmetics Leaping Bunny Certified?
No, MAC is not Leaping Bunny Certified.
Animal Testing in China
Animal Testing is required by law in China for all foreign cosmetics companies. All American and European cosmetic brands that are sold in China must undergo animal testing.
Any brand that chooses to sell their products in China cannot be considered cruelty-free. Even products that can bypass mandatory tests may still be pulled from the shelves by Chinese authorities to be tested on animals.
This does NOT include products that are made in China, only if they are sold in China.
The only way to know if a brand sells products in China is to ask them directly. Make sure to note that Hong Kong is not included in this policy, and neither are products only sold online to Chinese consumers.
You can see from the image below that MAC sells products in stores in China. MAC states on their website that MAC products are sold in China because “we love our fans, and we never want to exclude them anywhere.” More like they don’t want to miss out on the massive financial opportunity of having their products sold in stores in China. Chinese consumers could still buy MAC products online if MAC decided not to sell them in stores.
Is MAC Cosmetics Vegan?
MAC didn’t directly answer my question as to if any of their products are vegan or not. However, I do not consider any of their products vegan since they test on animals.
Cruelty-Free and Vegan Alternatives to MAC Cosmetics
Urban Decay
Urban Decay is a 100% cruelty-free and vegan brand. Urban Decay was born in Southern California in 1996 to disrupt the industry’s sea of pink-dominated counters.
RMS Beauty
RMS Beauty is 100% cruelty-free, but not all products are vegan. RMS Beauty was created by celebrity make-up artist, Rose Marie Swift. RMS Beauty is a mid-range brand that sells makeup and skincare. The products are formulated with raw, organic ingredients. RMS Beauty products are non-GMO, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, soy-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free. RMS Beauty products are formulated using raw, food-grade, organic, wildcrafted, and natural ingredients that are as close to their natural state as possible.
Bite Beauty
Bite Beauty is 100% cruelty-free and vegan. Bite Beauty is a Canadian-based makeup brand, mostly known for its lip products, but they have expanded their product line to include other makeup products.
Email to the Company
Before classifying any brand as cruelty-free and vegan, I send them an email with the following questions:
- Are your products vegan? If only some are vegan, which ones?
- Are any of your products or ingredients tested on animals?
- Do you have a Leaping Bunny or PETA certification?
- Do your suppliers or any third parties test animals on your behalf?
- Does your company sell products in mainland China (except Hong Kong)?
- Are you owned by a parent company that tests on animals?
This is how MAC responded to my email:
M·A·C does not test on animals. We do not own any animal testing facilities and we never ask others to test on animals for us. While some governments conduct animal testing to prove safety before they will allow us to sell our products, M·A·C has never tested on animals and we continue to be a leader in the movement to end animal testing globally. To this end, we are proud to partner with IIVS (Institute for In Vitro Sciences) to expand the use and acceptance of non-animal testing methods. More info here: bit.ly/1RPhyXe
Best Cruelty Free Makeup
Additionally, while we don’t maintain comprehensive lists of products that do or do not contain certain ingredients, you can find full ingredient listings right on www.maccosmetics.com! Simply navigate to the product page of interest until you locate “Ingredients” in the Full Description area.