What do you look for when you buy new cosmetics?

Do you avoid products that are wrapped in plastic? Do you only buy vegan products? Do you buy natural cosmetics? Do you pay attention to seals and certificates? Do you pay attention to cruelty-free cosmetics?

Has existed since 2013 in the EU a comprehensive animal testing ban for cosmetics: Animal testing is prohibited for cosmetic products or ingredients and cosmetics included in third countries have been tested in animal experiments are not sold in the EU.

These EU bans however, only apply to new products and ingredients, while the "old" ones continue to be sold without restrictions. In addition, the bans only apply to ingredients that are used exclusively for cosmetic purposes. As soon as an ingredient is also used in other products such as medicines, cleaning agents, wall paints, etc., it also falls under e.g Medicines Act or Chemicals Act, which legally require animal testing for approval.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) determines which animal tests are to be carried out for chemicals such as cosmetic ingredients and which alternative methods are accepted. Because cosmetics are by definition for external use, cosmetic products and ingredients are typically tested primarily for skin and eye safety.

For example, in animal experiments on rabbits, chemicals are either liquid dropped into the eye, as a powder placed in the eye or sprayed in the eye as a gas, without the animal being able to defend itself against it. An assessment is then made of how badly the eye was injured. Similarly, chemicals are applied to or injected into the skin of guinea pigs. In these animal experiments, it is always accepted that severe reactions can occur cause significant suffering to the animal.

However, now there is cruelty-free alternatives, which are recognized by the OECD and have been proven to be able to predict the effects on the skin and eyes. For this purpose, e.g.
Because these alternative methods are about Models from human cells acts, the results are more transferrable and can assess safety for human health more reliably.

Those

What can you do if you only want to buy cosmetics that are not tested on animals?
For example, pay attention to this MAP-Zertificate:
PETA only whitelists pet food manufacturers with clear policies against animal testing. These are companies whose company policy takes a clear stance against animal testing and thus help to prevent animal suffering and eliminate it completely in the future. You assure PETA of this in writing, analogously to our cosmetics list - only then will you be included in the positive list. Many companies are now addressing the issue of animal testing on their website or in response to consumer inquiries. Their answers often have to be read very carefully to understand what is really behind them.

Those

Our products carry the certificate „PETA Approved Global Animal Testing Policy“, as we do not (have) carry out any animal testing on our products. This is also not necessary as we only use natural ingredients. Our vegan products also have the certificate „PETA Vegan Approved Global Animal Testing Policy“.

If you want to delve further into the topic:

Article in ZEIT CAMPUS