Does ELF Test on Animals? ELF or e.l.f has been gracing the market since 2004. But despite the company’s relatively short spell in the market, it has taken some major leaps towards becoming a fan favorite thanks to the quality and affordability of its products!
However, to make sure that you enjoy a guilt-free product, you might be curious about their policies regarding cruelty-free manufacturing. So, does ELF test on animals?
ELF has been a devout member of the cruelty-free community since 2005. In fact, despite false rumors circulating every now and then, the company doesn’t test any of its products on animals or use animal-sourced ingredients. The company is also certified by both PETA and Leaping Bunny.
If you want to learn more about ELF and its commitment to sustainability and keeping its products cruelty-free, keep reading this guide!
Does ELF Test on Animals?
Many cosmetics companies out there test their products on animals, whether by choice or due to mandatory laws in the countries and markets where they operate.
Luckily, however, ELF takes pride in being one of the companies with a clean slate for animal testing.
1. The Company Stated That It Doesn’t Test on Animals
According to ELF’s website*, the company has never conducted any animal tests since it was founded in 2004 in Oakland, California.
Not only that, but the company also stated that it has never commissioned or paid any third-party companies to test its products on its behalf, whether in America or anywhere else around the world.
Additionally, ELF is known for not selling its products in China, a market that mandates all cosmetics to be tested on animals beforehand.
2. PETA Certification Since 2005
That said, there have been some rumors about ELF testing its products on animals. But luckily, there is plenty of proof that the renowned cosmetics company doesn’t test on animals.
For example, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has cleared the company’s name and reassured its followers that the company has never tested its products on animals since 2005.
The company’s name is listed in PETA’s “Beauty Without Bunnies” list for the companies that don’t test their products on animals under “E.L.F. Cosmetics”, and you can find the PETA logo on all of ELF products.
3. Certification By the Leaping Bunny
In addition to PETA, the company has also been certified by the Leaping Bunny Program since 2022, another authority body for product ethics and cruelty-free production.
4. Donating to Animal Charities
In addition to the company’s ethical stance towards tests on animals since its launching day, the company is also known for affiliating with companies, influencers, and public figures who support the welfare of animals.
ELF Cosmetics has also donated to various charities and helped different influencers and partners to contribute to animal charities.
For example, the company collaborated with Jkissa to create an eyeshadow palette called “To the Rescue”, which benefited dog rescue organizations.
Is ELF Vegan and Cruelty-Free?
There’s a fine line between not testing on animals and being truly cruelty-free, and unfortunately, there are many companies out there that like to venture into this gray area. Still, luckily, ELF’s stance towards animal cruelty is straight as an arrow!
Besides not testing their products and cosmetics on animals, ELF doesn’t use animal-sourced or animal-tested ingredients in their formulations.
This means that the company’s products are 100% cruelty-free and a safe choice for vegans out there.
Instead of animal-sourced ingredients and byproducts, the company relies on safe alternatives or uses fully synthetic components whenever possible, such as the case with their brushes and eyelashes.
How Is ELF Cruelty-Free If Made In China?
If you’ve checked the label of some ELF products, you may find that they’re made in China, which has a lot of people confused about the company’s claims for being cruelty-free, so let’s clear this up.
It’s true ELF manufactures most of its products in China, which is one of the methods they use to keep the products affordable. But despite that, ELF remains cruelty-free and doesn’t test on animals, so here’s how that works.
China’s laws mandate that cosmetics sold in its markets must be tested on animals. However, this law requirement doesn’t extend to manufacturing.
While ELF is currently a global company operating in over 17 countries, it doesn’t sell its products in China to avoid the country’s animal testing policies and stay cruelty-free.
FAQS
1. How long has e.l.f been vegan?
Although the company has never tested its products on animals, it hasn’t been fully vegan since its founding.
Until recently, ELF used animal hairs to make some of their brushes and other animal byproducts while manufacturing their makeup.
However, as of 2016, the company has redesigned its products so that all of them are made without using any ingredients or byproducts that are sourced from animals.
Today, the company is fully vegan; any product they still produce is 100% vegan and made from synthetic and non-animal ingredients.
2. Are e.l.f lipsticks vegan?
Yes, all ELF lipsticks are fully vegan and made of synthetic ingredients that aren’t tested on animals, such as Hydrating Core Lip Shine Lipstick* and Liquid Matte Lipstick*.
3. Is e.l.f eyebrow pencil vegan?
Yes, ELF eyebrow pencils, such as Instant Lift Brow Pencil* are 100% vegan and don’t contain any animal-based ingredients.
What Companies Still Use Animal Testing in 2023?
These are some big-name brands that you should definitely avoid.
- Aveeno
- Neutrogena
- Kiehl’s
- Olay
- Vaseline
- Nivea
- Clinique
- Lancôme
- Estée Lauder
- L’Occitane
What Makeup Brands Still Test on Animals in 2023?
Here are some makeup brands that aren’t certified as cruelty-free:
- Maybelline
- Elizabeth Arden
- Nars
- Origins
- Benefit
- Bobbi Brown
- Make Up For Ever Professional Paris
- La Mer
- OPI
- Clarins
Wrap Up
There you have it! A brief guide that walks you through everything you need to know about ELF’s policies regarding testing on animals and using animal-sourced ingredients in their products.
As a PETA and Leaping Bunny-certified manufacturer, you can rest assured that the cosmetics company is a safe choice if you want cruelty-free products.
Additionally, most of the company’s products are entirely synthetic, and since it doesn’t use any animal ingredients in its cosmetics, they’re also sustainable and ideal for vegans!
*Disclosure: We only recommend products we would use ourselves and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
If you liked this blog article about the question: “Does ELF Test on Animals?”, don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest so you don’t miss any more fashion and beauty news!
