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Are you an animal lover and a skincare enthusiast at the same time? If so, I bet ‘Is Innisfree cruelty-free?’ is a question that often crosses your mind. After all, we want to enjoy luscious skin without compromising our love for animals, right?
Today, I will dive into the depths of this popular Korean skincare brand to unravel whether its practices align with our ethical values or not. So sit back with your favorite cup of tea (or wine – hey, no judgment here!) as we embark on this journey together.
The first step is to understand the difference between cruelty-free and vegan. Cruelty-free means that the products were not tested on animals, while vegan implies that the products do not contain any animal ingredients or byproducts.
Some companies claim to be both cruelty-free and vegan, while others may focus on one or the other.
In this article, I will share if Innisfree is cruelty-free, vegan, and/or sustainable. But also if it’s clean, non-toxic, fragrance-free, and/or paraben-free. This way, you can easily decide whether you want to buy their products.
Is Innisfree Cruelty-Free?
Innisfree is not cruelty-free. They may test on animals, either themselves, through their suppliers, or through a third party.
Innisfree allows its products to be tested on animals when required by law, including when selling in stores in mainland China.
Does A Cruelty-Free Parent Company Own Innisfree?
Innisfree is owned by a parent company that tests on animals. The parent company is AmorePacific, and this is not a cruelty-free company.
Is Innisfree Cruelty-Free Certified?
No, Innisfree is not certified by any organization.
Is Innisfree Sold In China?
Innisfree is sold in China, which means that the brand may still test on animals.
Starting in 2023, Brands now have the possibility to enter China and avoid animal testing, so companies can now enter the Chinese market without funding animal cruelty.
However, not every brand can qualify. Certain ingredients, products, and claims may still trigger animal tests during the registration process, and post-market testing involving animals, while rare, is still a possibility.
It’s not stated anywhere that Innisfree has taken any steps to meet the preconditions in order to avoid animal testing while selling in China.
On top of that, this doesn’t mean that China completely banned animal testing – they didn’t. If a brand wants to test on animals, it’s still possible to do so in China.
While it’s great that China is slowly relaxing its animal testing laws, I just want to warn you that it doesn’t mean that all brands sold in China are now cruelty-free.
We’re in a quite vague phase, which makes shopping cruelty-free a little harder. However, brands selling in China don’t have to be an immediate no-no anymore.
Please make sure a brand is Leaping Bunny or Cruelty-free International certified. Both these organizations help brands to sell in China without having to test on animals. In this case, Innisfree is not certified by any organization.
Is Innisfree Vegan?
No, not all Innisfree products are vegan, as some contain animal-derived ingredients. Nevertheless, Innisfree indicates on its website which products are suitable for vegans by labeling them accordingly under each product description.
However, since the brand is not considered cruelty-free, I wouldn’t consider them vegan either.
Vegan Alternatives For Non-Vegan Ingredients
There are many other vegan options for animal-derived ingredients. If you’re curious to know which non-vegan ingredients are replaceable with vegan alternatives, check out the following:
Non-Vegan Ingredient | Source | Vegan Alternative |
Squalane | Shark liver oil | Squalane (plant-derived: from olives, wheat germ, amaranth) |
Collagen | Animal connective tissues | Plant-based collagen (seaweed, algae) |
Lanolin | Sheep’s wool | Vegetable oils (shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil) |
Beeswax | Bees | Plant-based waxes (candelilla wax, carnauba wax, vegan wax) |
Honey | Bees | Agave nectar, maple syrup |
Carmine (cochineal) | Cochineal insects | Beetroot extract, berry extracts |
Keratin | Animal hair, horns, feathers | Plant-derived proteins (soy protein, wheat protein, oat protein) |
Gelatin | Animal bones, skin, and connective tissues | Agar agar, carrageenan, guar gum |
Guanine | Fish scales | Synthetic mica, bismuth oxychloride |
Silk | Silkworms | Plant-based fabrics (bamboo, hemp) |
Animal fats and oils | Various animal sources | Plant-based oils (coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil) |
Is Innisfree Considered Clean?
Let’s start with a little background on what exactly is meant by “clean.” The term “clean beauty” is controversial because it isn’t regulated; this means that brands can slap ‘clean,’ ‘green,’ ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ on their products whenever they want.
How I personally approach “clean beauty” is the same as Goop explains it: clean beauty products are those made without ingredients shown or suspected to harm human health, animal health, or the environment.
What Are Harmful Ingredients?
Sadly, there are quite a few (actually… thousands) of harmful ingredients or ingredients that are suspected to be harmful to humans, animals, and/or the environment. Here are some most frequently used ingredients:
Ingredient | Commonly Found In | Concerns |
Parabens | Cosmetics, personal care products | Potential hormone disruption, allergenic potential |
Phthalates | Fragrances, nail polishes, hair sprays | Reproductive and developmental issues |
Formaldehyde | Various cosmetic and skincare products | Skin irritation, potential carcinogenic effects |
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) | Cleansers, shampoos, body washes | Skin irritation, oil-stripping potential |
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) | Cleansers, shampoos, body washes | Skin irritation, oil-stripping potential |
Mineral Oil | Skincare and cosmetic products | Potential for clogged pores, skin barrier disruption |
Triclosan | Soaps, toothpaste, deodorants | Antibacterial resistance, potential hormone disruption |
Oxybenzone | Sunscreen products | Hormone disruption, potential harm to coral reefs |
Talc | Powder-based cosmetics | Potential contamination with asbestos, carcinogenic |
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) | Cosmetics, personal care products | Allergenic potential, potential endocrine disruption |
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) | Cosmetics, personal care products | Allergenic potential, potential endocrine disruption |
Synthetic Fragrances | Various cosmetic and skincare products | Allergenic potential, often not fully disclosed |
Petrolatum | Lip balms, ointments, moisturizers | Potential for clogged pores, skin barrier disruption |
Aluminium cyclic silicones | Antiperspirants, cosmetics | Concerns about neurotoxicity, potential health risks |
Benzene | Nail polishes, hair dyes, detergents | Carcinogenic potential, associated with blood disorders |
Toluene | Nail polishes, hair dyes, fragrances | Neurotoxicity, potential developmental and reproductive issues |
So, Is Innisfree A Clean Beauty Brand?
Yes, Innisfree is considered a clean beauty brand. Innisfree is a Korean skincare and cosmetics brand that claims to use natural ingredients in its products.
They say that their products are formulated with an average of 80% naturally derived ingredients responsibly sourced from the pure and protected island of Jeju.
Every Innisfree product is formulated without Parabens, Phthalates, Formaldehyde, Triclosan, Butylated Hydroxyanisole, and Methylisothiazolinone.
Is Innisfree Fragrance-Free?
Some of their products are formulated without fragrance, and others are infused with botanical and herbal ingredients that contain naturally derived fragrances.
Innisfree may also add fragrance during manufacturing processes for some products to capture the essence of the harmony and balance of the formula.
Is Innisfree Paraben-Free?
Yes, Innisfree is paraben-free. Every Innisfree product is formulated without Parabens, Phthalates, Formaldehyde, Triclosan, Butylated Hydroxyanisole, and Methylisothiazolinone.
Is Innisfree Sustainable?
Innisfree is a Korean beauty brand that prides itself on being eco-friendly and sustainable. They use natural ingredients sourced from Jeju Island, which is known for its clean air and volcanic soil. On top of that, they’re providing a recycling program.
Whether they participate in other sustainable initiatives is unclear.
Is Innisfree Gluten-Free?
Innisfree does not have information on its website about products being gluten-free. Based on this, I assume that their products may contain gluten.
Is Innisfree Soy-Free?
Innisfree does not have information on its website about products being soy-free. Based on this, I assume that their products may contain soy.
Is Innisfree Nut-Free?
Innisfree does not have information on its website about products being nut-free. Based on this, I assume that their products may contain nuts.
Is Innisfree Oil-Free?
Innisfree incorporates a variety of different kinds of naturally derived oils and other oil-based ingredients for their nourishing benefits in many of their products. So, no, they’re not oil-free.
How To Find Out If A Brand Is Cruelty-Free And/Or Vegan Yourself?
The easiest way to tell if a brand is cruelty-free and vegan is to look for third-party certification.
Several organizations, such as Cruelty-Free International, PETA, and Leaping Bunny, offer cruelty-free certifications for companies that have agreed to adhere to their strict guidelines for animal testing.
Similarly, the Vegan Society provides a Vegan Trademark to companies that do not use any animal-derived ingredients in their products. Look for these certifications as a sign that a brand is truly cruelty-free and vegan.
It’s also important to look beyond the label. Many companies may claim to be cruelty-free and vegan but may not actually adhere to those standards.
Check the company’s website for information about their animal testing policies and ingredients.
Questions |
Does your brand test products or ingredients on animals? |
Do the companies you get your supplies from, test on animals? How do you ensure they don’t? |
Are there any other companies that test on animals for you? |
Do you test on animals when the law says you have to? |
In which countries can you find your products in physical stores (not counting online sales)? |
Finally, look for reviews from other cruelty-free and vegan consumers. They may have had firsthand experience with the brand and can provide insight into the company’s actual practices.
Moreover, they may be able to recommend alternative cruelty-free and vegan brands that meet your needs.
By following these steps, you can determine if a brand is truly cruelty-free and vegan. If you would like more information and tips, check out this cruelty-free makeup and skincare guide.
With more and more companies offering animal-friendly products, it’s easier than ever to find cruelty-free and vegan products that fit your lifestyle.
Conclusion On Is Innisfree Cruelty-Free
So, there you have it – the answer to the burning question: is Innisfree cruelty-free? Sadly, Innisfree is not cruelty-free, and neither is its parent company.
However, it’s refreshing to see companies taking steps towards more sustainable and ethical business practices, but it would be amazing if they could work toward being cruelty-free as well. Always remember – every little bit counts when it comes to creating change!