Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Herbivore Facebook
- Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious about products that haven't been tested on animals, which are just as effective as those that have been and infinitely more ethical in my eyes.
- There are thousands of cruelty-free skin-care products on the market, and I have found these five to be effective in addressing my skin-care concerns of acne, dark circles, and hyperpigmentation.
- To see if the products you're using are cruelty free, be sure to read labels and brand websites for details, and double-check with organizations like Leaping Bunny and PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies.
Animal testing began in 1933 after a dozen women were blinded and one died after using mascara with an untested ingredient. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the only way to safely test any cosmetics then was on animals. Thankfully, alternative safety tests were developed in the '80s and animal testing in cosmetics went down by 90%. The practice is becoming increasingly outdated as cosmetic brands seek more humane alternatives in response to customer demands.
For anyone who still believes that companies should test on animals, memorize this - the way a skin-care product or its ingredients have been tested has no correlation to how effective it is. "Cruelty-free skin care is just as effective as traditional products. The only difference is the way that the products are developed and tested," says dermatologist and Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospital Dr. Joshua Zeichner.
In fact, here are five cruelty-free skin-care products that have been effective for my skin concerns.
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Find all the best offers at our Coupons page.
Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.