In the beauty community, L’Oreal is a classic. L’Oreal hits all the different beauty departments meaning they produce makeup, hair products, skincare products, and more! They even have their own professional hair care line!
In addition, they own and are the parent company of many well-known beauty brands such as Urban Decay and Kiehl’s. With over 100 years of expertise, L’Oreal truly knows how to do it all in the beauty community! But the question on everyone’s minds is, “Is L’Oreal cruelty free?”
But with ethical beauty becoming more popular, many people begin to wonder about their favorite brand’s animal testing policies.
Is L’Oreal Cruelty Free?
No, L’Oreal is not cruelty free nor are they vegan. Although they do not test on animals themselves, they sell their products in countries where animal testing is required by law.
In 1989, L’Oreal completely stopped testing their products on animals. But that doesn’t mean that they are 100% cruelty-free. They actually sell their products in mainland China where animal testing is required by law. So they cannot be considered 100% cruelty-free until they pull out of the Chinese market.
Here are the statements that they make on their website:
“L’Oréal does not test any of its products or any of its ingredients on animals and has been at the forefront of alternative methods for over 30 years.”
“L’Oréal does not test any its products or any of its ingredients on animals. Nevertheless, because our products are sold in China, L’Oréal still figures on the PETA list. In China, the health authorities still require and carry out animal testing for certain products.”
The Chinese government did announce in January of 2023 that some of these policies will be relaxed, so it is possible moving forward that L’Oreal could become cruelty free.
Is L’Oreal Vegan?
L’Oreal is not 100% vegan. Some of their products are labeled as being vegan, but some do contain ingredients derived from animals.
Is L’Oreal Organic?
No, L’Oreal makes zero claims that they are organic or all-natural. However, they do try to tailor their products to suit all skin types – even sensitive skin. So, if you are worried about having a negative reaction on the skin, know that L’Oreal formulates their products to prevent this.
Here is the statement they make on their website.
“At L’Oréal Paris we create advanced, effective skincare – for even the most sensitive skin. From our tolerance-testing to our independent clinical trials, you can be safe in the knowledge there’s no safer skincare that works.”
Where Is L’Oreal Made?
L’Oreal manufactures all of its products in France. The ingredients they put into their products are sourced from various parts of the world. After they finish making their products in France, they ship it out to other countries accordingly. One of the places they ship to is mainland China.
Is L’Oreal Owned By A Parent Company?
L’Oreal is actually a company that owns other well-known beauty brands. However, it is important to know that, even if L’Oreal is not cruelty-free, these brands have their own animal testing policies. So just because a brand is owned by L’Oreal does not mean they are not cruelty-free.
Here is a list of popular brands that are owned by L’Oreal.
- Urban Decay
- Kiehl’s
- Essie
- Biolage
- Cerave
- Matrix
- Garnier
- Maybelline
- Mizani
- Pureology
- Redken
- La Roche Posay
- And more!
Is L’Oreal Sold in China?
Yes, L’Oreal does sell its products in China. In mainland China, animal testing is required by law for all imported cosmetics products (although this seems to be changing). So L’Oreal cannot be completely cruelty-free if they are still staying in the Chinese market.
Here is the statement that they make on their website:
“By being present in China, L’Oréal can enable the regulation to evolve. L’Oréal is the most active company working with the Chinese authorities towards a total elimination of animal testing. As a result, the vast majority of products we sell in China are no longer tested on animals.”
Is L’Oreal Paraben-Free?
Some of L’Oreal’s products are free from parabens and others are not. If products being paraben-free is important to you, always check the website and/or product label before making any final purchases.
Is L’Oreal Gluten-Free?
No, L’Oreal does not make any claims that they are gluten-free. Some of their products may be free from gluten, but they do not label them as such.
Is L’Oreal Phthalates-free?
L’Oreal does not make any claims about products that are free from phthalates. To know for sure, check the specific product label for the product you are interested in buying.
Is L’Oreal Non-Comedogenic?
Some L’Oreal products are non-comedogenic and some are not. The best way to know for sure is by checking the product label and/or checking the website. By doing this, you’ll know exactly what you are buying and how it might react to more sensitive skin.
Is L’Oreal PETA Cruelty-Free Approved?
No, L’Oreal is not approved by PETA as being cruelty-free. PETA recognizes that L’Oreal sells its products in mainland China where animal testing is required by law. Therefore, L’Oreal knowingly condones and allows their products to be tested on animals.
Where To Buy L’Oreal
Luckily, L’Oreal is very accessible for most people. When looking in stores, we recommend going to your local beauty department store like
However, your best bet is to buy L’Oreal products online. When buying online, you can find the exact products you’re looking for in the specific shades that you want. Also, you can often find the best deals online that get you points towards future purchases.
L’Oreal is available at drugstores like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and online at:
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, L’Oreal is not cruelty-free nor are they vegan. Although they do not test on animals themselves, they do sell their products in mainland China where animal testing is required by law. Until the regulations change (or they pull out of the Chinese market) they technically cannot be considered 100% cruelty-free.