As a vegetarian, I am continually researching ways I can make a change in bettering the lives of animals, however small it may be. One step for me is to switch out as many products I use to cruelty free options. With the help of PETA’s list of animal-tested companies and a few other blogs I have read, I am excited to share what I have found. I hope this list encourages you to consider changing to any of these cruelty-free alternatives.
How Do You know if a product or brand is Cruelty Free?
Every product produced in certain industries like makeup, haircare, household cleaners, etc. will have indicators on their merchandise. You can find these labels shown below or search for products on this site: https://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/LeapingBunny
Makeup
The makeup industry is notorious for its presence in animal cruelty. Fortunately, there are lots of various makeup brands from high-end to those found in drug stores. There are more brands joining the cruelty-free list every year. Always look for the cruelty-free logo on their products. My personal favorites are Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, Kat Von D Contour Kit, Urban Decay setting spray, and Too Faced Eyeshadow.
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Body Care
Body care includes anything from scrubs and gels to lotions and deodorants. Many people are surprised to find that the cruelty-free versions of their go-to products actually smell better and last longer. My personal favorites are the Lush Face and Body scrubs, and the TARTE Cleen Queen Vegan Deodorant.
Household Cleaners
It is so important to stay away from the old household cleaners that have harmful chemicals we have been tricked into thinking work better than the “alternative” brands. I use Mrs. Meyer’s kitchen basics set and love the way it safely cleans my surfaces and is cruelty-free. Plus, the after smell doesn’t smell like a hospital. I promise your house will look just as beautiful and feels so clean with these cruelty-free options.
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Feminine Hygiene
As a woman, it felt like it would be difficult to switch out my tampons and pads that I have used for so many years. The two brands I always wore, were actually harmful and I could not find myself purchasing them anymore. I tried the Divacup and loved it! Just like trying a tampon the first time, it was weird and I had to learn how to get it just right. I use it every time now.
While on vacation in Europe, my friend and I started our menstrual cycles and she didn’t have any tampons. We spent quite a bit of time searching places for them, and in other countries, they don’t have the “normal brands” and applications we are accustomed to using. Tampons are not fun while on vacation, but with the menstrual cup, I was able to go out all day without worry.
Hair Care
When you are at home, it’s easy to choose from a large array of options that are cruelty-free. But a lot of people don’t think about it when they go to the salon. Be sure to ask your hairstylist if their products are cruelty-free. It may spark ideas for them to switch as well. Try it!
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Fragrances
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In Conclusion
It is extremely important for us to be vigilant and aware of our spending habits and how they affect the world around us. I’m not asking you to change the way you live, but I do want you to recognize these cruelty-free brands and make a more educated decision when purchasing your next product.
For more information on what to look for or how else you can help, you can visit these sites:
