Is IT Cosmetics Cruelty-Free in 2024? The Full Truth

IT Cosmetics is a brand that doesn’t test its products or ingredients on animals. It also doesn’t allow third parties to conduct animal testing for them. This makes IT Cosmetics a cruelty-free brand. However, understanding cruelty-free claims can be confusing because brands use different terminology and certifications. IT Cosmetics’ parent company is L’Oreal, which has made efforts towards ethical practices.

This article explains IT Cosmetics’ animal testing policies, certifications, and vegan offerings, and suggests alternative cruelty-free complexion products.

What Does “Cruelty-Free” Mean?

Before we delve into IT Cosmetics’ specifics, let’s clarify what “cruelty-free” means in the cosmetics industry. The term generally refers to products that have not been tested on animals at any stage of development, from the initial ingredient testing to the final product formulation.

“Cruelty-free” means no animal testing, but it doesn’t mean a product is free from animal-derived ingredients. “Vegan” means a product has no animal-derived ingredients, but it doesn’t mean it was not tested on animals. A brand can be one or both.

IT Cosmetics’ Official Animal Testing Policy

According to IT Cosmetics’ official statement, the brand is committed to being 100% cruelty-free. Here are the key points regarding their animal testing policy:

• IT Cosmetics does not test its products or ingredients on animals.
• Their suppliers and third-party manufacturers also do not conduct animal testing.
• IT Cosmetics does not sell its products in countries or regions where animal testing is required by law.

This comprehensive policy ensures that no animal testing occurs at any stage of product development, from the sourcing of raw materials to the final product formulation and beyond.

IT Cosmetics’ Parent Company: L’Oreal

IT Cosmetics was acquired by L’Oreal in 2016 but remains cruelty-free. L’Oreal itself is not a cruelty-free brand.

L’Oreal has faced criticism from animal rights organizations for allowing some of its other brands to test on animals when required by law in certain countries. This has sparked debate within the cruelty-free community about whether to support brands owned by parent companies that are not entirely cruelty-free.

There are valid arguments on both sides of this discussion. Some consumers choose to boycott all brands owned by non-cruelty-free parent companies, while others believe that supporting cruelty-free brands within these larger corporations can drive positive change and ultimately lead to a more ethical beauty industry.

At the end of the day, it’s a personal decision based on your values and beliefs. IT Cosmetics remains transparent about its cruelty-free status and has maintained the same leadership team and ethical practices since the acquisition.

Is IT Cosmetics Certified Cruelty-Free?

Third-party certifications can provide additional reassurance and oversight when it comes to a brand’s cruelty-free claims. IT Cosmetics is certified by PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program, which verifies that the brand meets PETA’s stringent criteria for being cruelty-free.

However, IT Cosmetics is not certified by Leaping Bunny, another well-known cruelty-free certification program. Leaping Bunny does not grant its certification to brands owned by parent companies that test on animals, which excludes IT Cosmetics due to its ownership by L’Oreal.

Does IT Cosmetics Sell in China?

One of the key factors in determining a brand’s cruelty-free status is whether it sells its products in mainland China. Until recently, Chinese law required animal testing for most cosmetics sold in physical stores, making it challenging for cruelty-free brands to enter the market.

IT Cosmetics has confirmed that it does not sell its products in retail stores in mainland China, thereby avoiding the legal requirement for animal testing. However, it’s worth noting that China made some changes to its animal testing laws in 2021, allowing certain cosmetics to be exempt from animal testing under specific conditions.

Vegan Product Options at IT Cosmetics

While IT Cosmetics is a cruelty-free brand, it is not entirely vegan. Some of their products contain animal-derived ingredients, such as snail secretion filtrate, silk proteins, and marine-derived collagen.

IT Cosmetics does offer vegan options within their product range, but these are not marked or easy to identify on their website or packaging. Conscious consumers will need to thoroughly check the ingredient lists to determine which products align with their vegan values.

Examples of Non-Vegan IT Cosmetics Products

To illustrate the presence of animal-derived ingredients in some IT Cosmetics products, here are a few examples:

• CC Creams: The popular CC+ Creams contain snail secretion filtrate, often listed as one of the top ingredients.
• Mascara: The Superhero Mascara includes hydrolyzed collagen, derived from bovine connective tissue or fish.
• Lipsticks: Many of IT Cosmetics’ lipstick formulations contain lanolin oil, a wax obtained from sheep’s wool.

IT Cosmetics uses some animal-derived ingredients, but this does not mean they test on animals. They remain a cruelty-free brand.

IT Cosmetics’ Ethical and Sustainability Efforts

As a subsidiary of L’Oreal, IT Cosmetics adheres to the parent company’s Code of Ethics, which outlines strict guidelines for responsible ingredient sourcing, fair treatment of suppliers, diversity, and more. However, IT Cosmetics itself does not publish individual ethical standards or sustainability initiatives.

One area of concern for conscious consumers is the brand’s use of ingredients like mica and shea butter, which can have ethical sourcing issues if not properly regulated. L’Oreal claims to source these ingredients from certified organic, fair trade, and responsible suppliers, but the specific practices of IT Cosmetics are not clearly outlined.

In terms of sustainability, IT Cosmetics primarily packages its products in plastic, which can be challenging to recycle and contributes to environmental waste. However, L’Oreal has set ambitious goals to transition to 100% recycled, recyclable, or reusable packaging by 2030, and achieve carbon neutrality in its factories within the same timeframe.

Ethical Vegan Complexion Product Alternatives

For conscious consumers seeking cruelty-free and vegan complexion products, there are several alternative brands to consider:

• Milk Makeup: A 100% vegan and Leaping Bunny-certified brand praised for its sustainability efforts, including the refillable Sunshine Skin Tint.
• Kosas: Part of the Kosas Clean edit, the Tinted Face Oil is vegan and formulated with plant-based oils like avocado, raspberry, and rosehip.
• Ilia: The Super Serum Skin Tint is vegan, reef-safe, and packaged in eco-friendly materials, with a portion of sales supporting tree-planting initiatives.
• Thrive Causemetics: A 100% vegan and Leaping Bunny certified brand that donates a portion of sales to women’s causes, offering the Buildable Blur CC Cream with SPF 35.

These are just a few examples of cruelty-free and vegan complexion products from brands with strong ethical commitments, providing options for shoppers seeking alternatives to IT Cosmetics.

The Bottom Line: Is IT Cosmetics a Good Choice for Conscious Consumers?

After thoroughly examining IT Cosmetics’ animal testing policies, certifications, vegan product offerings, and the ethical efforts of its parent company, L’Oreal, it’s evident that the brand occupies a nuanced position within the cruelty-free and vegan beauty landscape.

On the cruelty-free front, IT Cosmetics checks all the boxes – they do not test on animals, nor do their suppliers or third parties, and they avoid selling in regions where animal testing is required by law. They are certified by PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program, providing third-party validation of their cruelty-free claims.

However, the brand falls short when it comes to being entirely vegan. While IT Cosmetics offers some vegan products, a significant portion of their range contains animal-derived ingredients like snail secretion filtrate, collagen, and lanolin. These non-vegan components may be a deal-breaker for consumers strictly adhering to vegan principles.

IT Cosmetics is owned by L’Oreal, a company that tests on animals. IT Cosmetics doesn’t test on animals, but some people may still avoid it due to its connection to L’Oreal.

The decision to support IT Cosmetics depends on individual values. For cruelty-free and vegan options, consider Milk Makeup, Kosas, Ilia, and Thrive Causemetics.

IT Cosmetics may be a good option if you prioritize cruelty-free practices and are okay with its ownership by a non-cruelty-free corporation. Research and consider your ethical boundaries before making a decision.

The landscape of cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics changes often. Check Leaping Bunny, PETA, and Cruelty-Free Kitty for the latest information before making purchases.

In the end, the choice is yours as a conscious consumer. By staying informed and aligning your purchases with your values, you can contribute to the growing demand for ethical and compassionate practices within the beauty industry.