Estée Lauder Companies is known for its investments and has a diverse beauty brand portfolio. Overall, the company itself isn’t cruelty-free or vegan. However, it owns some vegan brands.
Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is a multinational prestige beauty firm known for its skincare, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products. Founded in 1946 by Estée Lauder and Joseph Lauder, it started with just four skincare products and expanded into a global powerhouse.
The company boasts a diverse portfolio of brands catering to various demographics and preferences. Its list includes names like Estée Lauder, Clinique, MAC, Bobbi Brown, and many more. Its products are sold in over 150 countries and territories worldwide.
Estée Lauder Companies Inc. holds a significant position in the beauty industry, setting trends and influencing consumer preferences globally. Over the years, it has maintained a reputation for innovation, making it a leading force in the cosmetics and skincare market.
Mostly known for luxury and quality, Estée Lauder Companies has also been active in sustainability efforts, striving to reduce its environmental footprint and promote responsible practices across its supply chain. But is Estée Lauder Companies cruelty-free and vegan?
Is Estée Lauder Companies Vegan?
No. Estée Lauder Companies is not vegan. Estée Lauder Companies has a lot of brands in its portfolio and some of them use animal-derived ingredients. In addition, Estée Lauder Companies is not considered cruelty-free as it allows tests on animals. Therefore, Estée Lauder Companies as a whole is not vegan.
A vegan skincare product does not contain ingredients of animal origin. This means that none of its ingredients are derived from animals or their by-products. In addition, vegan skincare is never tested on animals. Meaning it is always cruelty-free.
Read more about Vegan And Cruelty-Free Skincare: Are They The Same?
Estée Lauder Companies Vegan Overview
Is a vegan firm: no
Owns vegan brands: yes
Tests on animals: yes, where required by law
Sells where animal testing is mandatory: yes
Is Estée Lauder Companies Cruelty-Free?
No. Estée Lauder Companies is not considered a cruelty-free company. While some of its brands are certified cruelty-free or vegan, the company as a whole still allows animal testing. Particularly for products sold in markets like China where such testing is required by law.
Even though the beauty firm might refrain from directly conducting animal tests itself, its decision to sell in China involves consenting to potential animal testing by authorities in that market. Consequently, this choice does not align with cruelty-free principles as it indirectly permits animal testing, thus disqualifying the company from being classified as cruelty-free.
The Partnership Between Estée Lauder Companies and CFI
In 2019, Cruelty Free International (CFI) partnered with Estée Lauder. Despite Estée Lauder not being cruelty-free due to its presence in China, where animal testing is required. The collaboration aims to influence global cosmetics animal testing regulations.
This move aimed to influence global animal testing regulations but not give Estée Lauder a cruelty-free status. Meaning, Estée Lauder is still not considered cruelty-free. Progress in China’s regulations suggests that Estée Lauder aims to reduce animal testing practices there while remaining in the market. Although challenging, progress in China provides hope, indicating a gradual shift away from animal testing.
Estée Lauder Companies Brands
Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is known as “a parent company”. It owns a diverse portfolio of prestigious beauty, skincare, fragrance, and makeup brands.
While Estée Lauder Companies Inc. permits animal testing where mandated by law, some brands it owns have separate policies. Among these brands, some are certified cruelty-free and abstain from selling in regions where animal testing is obligatory. Estée Lauder Companies even owns some brands that are certified and fully vegan.
Please note, that even though some of its brands uphold cruelty-free practices, they are under the ownership of a parent company that isn’t classified as cruelty-free.
Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder, an iconic cosmetics and skincare brand, was founded in 1946. Despite its reputation for luxury and quality, Estée Lauder isn’t a vegan or cruelty-free brand. They use animal-derived ingredients and conduct animal testing where mandated by law. Read more: Is Estée Lauder Vegan?
Clinique
Clinique, founded in 1968 prioritizes fragrance-free, allergy-tested skincare. Under Estée Lauder Companies’ ownership, Clinique’s dermatologist-developed products gained popularity all over the world. However, Clinique is not vegan or cruelty-free, using animal-derived ingredients and conducting animal testing where required by law. Read more: Is Clinique Vegan?
MAC Cosmetics
MAC (Makeup Art Cosmetics) was founded in 1984 to meet industry demands. MAC’s excellent products and vivid hues became a hit, loved not just by experts but also by everyday shoppers. Known globally for its professional quality, MAC sadly isn’t cruelty-free or vegan. MAC uses animal-derived ingredients in its products and allows animal testing where required by law. Read more: Is MAC Cosmetics Vegan?
Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown, a popular makeup artist, launched her cosmetics empire in 1991, focusing on enhancing natural beauty. Despite its popularity for quality and timeless aesthetics, Bobbi Brown isn’t vegan or cruelty-free. It allows animal testing as mandated by law and uses animal-derived ingredients in its products. Read more: Is Bobbi Brown Vegan?
La Mer
La Mer, a luxury skincare brand, known for its high-end products, was created to heal the skin. La Mer’s Miracle Broth, a blend of sea kelp and other potent ingredients, forms the core of its skincare line. Despite its prestige, La Mer isn’t vegan or cruelty-free, utilizing animal-derived components and permitting animal testing where required by law.
Jo Malone London
Perfumer Jo Malone founded Jo Malone London. It is celebrated for its exquisite fragrances and luxury products. Known for its elegant simplicity, the brand crafts unique scents and upscale lifestyle items. Although esteemed for quality, Jo Malone London isn’t vegan or cruelty-free, utilizing animal-derived ingredients and permitting animal testing where mandated by law. Read more: Best Vegan Perfumes
Tom Ford Beauty
Tom Ford Beauty embodies sophistication with its luxurious makeup, fragrances, and skincare. Exuding opulence and style, the brand offers high-end products catering to discerning consumers. Despite its prestige, Tom Ford Beauty isn’t vegan or cruelty-free, incorporating animal-derived components and allowing animal testing where required by law.
Michael Kors Beauty
Michael Kors Beauty stems from the famous fashion designer Michael Kors. The brand embodies glamour through its range of cosmetics and fragrances. However, Michael Kors Beauty isn’t vegan or cruelty-free, as it uses animal-derived ingredients and permits animal testing as required by law.
Smashbox
Founded in 1996 by Dean and Davis Factor in Los Angeles, Smashbox Cosmetics blends innovation and family legacy. Influenced by their great-grandfather, beauty pioneer Max Factor, they aimed to meet the needs of both everyday users and professionals. Famous for products like the Photo Finish Foundation Primer, the brand isn’t fully vegan but Smashbox offers vegan options and is PETA-certified cruelty-free. Read more: Smashbox Vegan Product List
Too Faced
Founded in 1998, Too Faced Cosmetics offers an innovative, playful take on makeup. Before Too Faced, most beauty brands stuck to traditional styles. The founders aimed to bring fun and thrill to makeup, urging people to experiment and enjoy their beauty routines. While not fully vegan, Too Faced provides vegan options and is PETA-certified cruelty-free, refraining from animal testing. Read more: Too Faced Vegan Product List
Aveda
Aveda, established in 1978, is renowned for its natural and eco-friendly approach to beauty and personal care products. Aveda’s wide range includes hair care, skincare, and makeup items. Aveda is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny & PETA and 100% vegan. The brand also supports causes like clean water initiatives and promoting holistic well-being.
Le Labo
Le Labo, established in 2006, is a niche fragrance brand celebrated for its artisanal, personalized scents. Crafting perfumes in small batches, they prioritize quality and individuality. Plus, Le Labo is certified cruelty-free by PETA and 100% vegan. Each fragrance is freshly blended upon purchase, reflecting a bespoke experience. With a minimalist aesthetic and a focus on raw, hand-selected ingredients. Read more: Best Vegan Perfumes
The Ordinary
The Ordinary, a Canadian skincare and makeup brand founded in 2016, prioritizes transparency and affordability. The Ordinary offers 100% vegan, cruelty-free products with science-backed formulas. Certified by PETA and Leaping Bunny, it refrains from animal testing and uses no animal-derived ingredients. Read more: Bestselling List Of The Ordinary Skincare
FAQ About Estée Lauder Companies
No. Estée Lauder Companies is not cruelty-free as it allows tests on animals where required by law. Estée Lauder Companies is known for its investments and has a diverse beauty brand portfolio. The company itself isn’t cruelty-free or vegan. However, it owns some cruelty-free and vegan brands.
No. Estée Lauder Companies is not a vegan firm. Estée Lauder Companies is known for its investments and has a diverse beauty brand portfolio. The company itself isn’t cruelty-free or vegan as it allows tests on animals where required by law. However, it owns some cruelty-free and vegan brands.
Yes. Estée Lauder Companies sells in China.
No. Estée Lauder the beauty brand is not cruelty-free. It sells in China where animal testing is required by law. Therefore, it cannot be considered cruelty-free.
No. Clinique is not cruelty-free. It sells in China where animal testing is required by law. Therefore, it cannot be considered cruelty-free.
No. MAC is not cruelty-free. It sells in China where animal testing is required by law. Therefore, it cannot be considered cruelty-free.
Summary
Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is a well-known global beauty giant offering skincare, makeup, and hair care products. Founded in 1946, it boasts a diverse brand portfolio. While known for innovation and sustainability efforts, the company isn’t cruelty-free or vegan. It allows animal testing where required by law.
However, the company owns various brands, some with separate cruelty-free policies. Brands like Aveda, Too Faced, Le Labo, and The Ordinary are certified cruelty-free and offer vegan products despite being under a non-cruelty-free parent company.
We hope that Estée Lauder Companies will take on the goal of going cruelty-free and vegan one day. Until then, keep checking Vegan Avenue for an updated vegan brands list.
See also: Best Vegan Skincare Brands, Best Vegan Makeup
