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If you’re wondering, “Is Kiehl’s Cruelty-Free?” You’ve come to the right place. At Conscious Bunny, we’re dedicated to providing thorough and reliable information about various brands. We research whether Kiehl’s is cruelty-free, vegan, clean, and conscious. Additionally, we examine whether a brand is sustainable, contributes to the community, and considers allergens in its products.
The world of cruelty-free, vegan, and clean beauty can be complex. With so many unregulated terms and labels, it can be challenging to know what to trust. Our mission is to make it easier for you by providing clear, fact-based insights. We delve into the details so you can make informed choices with confidence.
By relying on our comprehensive research, you can be sure you’re supporting brands aligning with your values. We believe in transparency and aim to empower you with the knowledge you need to choose products that are genuinely cruelty-free and conscious.
Is Kiehl’s Cruelty-Free?
No, Kiehl’s is not cruelty-free. They may test on animals, either themselves, through their suppliers, or through a third party.
The brand states: “We at Kiehl’s do not conduct animal testing on our products or ingredients, nor ask others to test on our behalf, except when required by law.” This means that Kiehl’s is not cruelty-free.
Is Kiehl’s Owned By A Cruelty-Free Parent Company?
Kiehl’s is owned by a parent company that tests on animals, L’Oréal. This is not a cruelty-free company.
In the beauty industry, brands are often owned by larger parent companies like L’Oreal, Estee Lauder, or Procter & Gamble, many of which conduct animal testing to some extent.
While most parent companies are not cruelty-free, some of the brands they own adhere to strict policies against animal testing. This means that brands under these parent companies are still cruelty-free.
However, this gives you as a consumer two choices: You can choose not to support these brands because they’re part of a bigger, animal-testing parent company, or you can choose to support them because they are 100% cruelty-free even though their parent company is not.
We personally believe that since these brands operate independently from the parent company, you can support them as they’re cruelty-free. However, a small group of shoppers choose to boycott brands owned by a parent company that tests on animals.
We don’t mind which option you choose; we want to make it easy for all our readers. That’s why we decided to mention whether or not a parent company is involved.
Is Kiehl’s Cruelty-Free Certified?
No, Kiehl’s is not certified by any organization.
Companies can be fully cruelty-free without being certified, but certifications are a good indicator of their ethical practices. The most trusted organizations that give out certifications are PETA and Leaping Bunny.
Is Kiehl’s Sold Where Animal Testing Is Required By Law?
Kiehl’s products are available for sale in countries with mandatory animal testing, meaning they were likely tested on animals.
In countries like China, certain cosmetic products may be subject to mandatory animal testing regulations. If a brand wants to sell its products in physical stores in China, it has to comply with these regulations, where animal testing may occur.
Starting in 2023, brands have the opportunity to enter the Chinese market without funding animal cruelty. However, not every brand may 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.
To avoid animal testing in China, companies must meet specific criteria:
- Sell only ‘general’ cosmetics in China (such as makeup, skincare, haircare, nail polish, and perfumes).
- Avoid selling ‘special’ cosmetics like sunscreens or hair dye.
- Refrain from selling products for infants, children, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or products containing ‘New Cosmetic Ingredients.’
- Have a policy in place to recall products if post-market testing is required, rather than allowing them to be tested on animals.
Furthermore, products can avoid animal testing in China if they are manufactured in China or if their final assembly occurs in China. If manufactured outside of China, companies must obtain the proper safety certificates from their country of origin.
Brands that have been selling in China must ensure that all their products meet the exemption criteria while providing the proper safety certificates from specific authorities. This means that many brands currently sold in China may not yet be entirely cruelty-free.
It’s essential to note that while China is gradually relaxing its animal testing laws, it does not mean that all brands sold in China are now cruelty-free. While this phase may raise questions, brands selling in China no longer have to be an immediate no-no for cruelty-free shoppers.
To provide shoppers with extra assurance, Leaping Bunny offers the China Qualification Program, which you can check before purchasing. This program ensures that Leaping Bunny-certified companies selling domestically in China remain cruelty-free.
Is Kiehl’s Vegan?
Kiehl’s is not vegan, meaning some products may contain animal-derived ingredients. Although Kiehl’s might offer some vegan products, because this company is not cruelty-free, it’s recommended to avoid any products it offers, even if they are vegan.
A company can have vegan products even if not all their products are vegan. If all their products are vegan, the brand is considered “100% vegan.”
Several organizations, like PETA and Leaping Bunny, offer vegan certifications to help you identify vegan brands. For example, Vegan Action, The Vegan Society, and The Vegetarian Society provide a Vegan Trademark to companies that use no animal-derived ingredients.
Check out our list of 100% Vegan Beauty Brands A-Z, or use our free Vegan Ingredient Checker to determine whether a specific product contains animal-derived ingredients.
Is Kiehl’s Clean?
No, Kiehl’s is not considered a clean beauty brand. Although it is often associated with high-quality skincare products and makes efforts to incorporate natural ingredients, it is not typically classified as a “clean beauty” brand in the strictest sense.
The term “clean beauty” is controversial because it isn’t regulated; this means that brands can label their products as ‘clean,’ ‘green,’ ‘organic,’ and ‘natural’ without strict guidelines.
For us, clean beauty means choosing products made without ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances that have been shown or even suspected to harm human health, animal health, or the environment.
Check out our list of Clean Beauty Brands A-Z, or use our free Clean Ingredients Checker to find out if a specific product contains toxic ingredients.
Allergens In Beauty Products
Besides letting you know whether a product contains harmful ingredients, we also understand that living with allergies can be tough. That’s why we discuss whether the brand contains any allergens in its products, helping you make informed decisions that suit your individual needs and preferences.
*The information provided is not medical advice. For any health concerns, please consult with your doctor before using the products.
Is Kiehl’s Fragrance-Free?
No, Kiehl’s is not completely fragrance-free. However, the brand does offer fragrance-free options.
Is Kiehl’s Paraben-Free?
Kiehl’s is paraben-free. In the mid-2000s, Kiehl’s developed all new formulas without parabens. By the end of 2019, all of Kiehl’s formulas in production will be paraben-free.
Is Kiehl’s Gluten-Free?
No, Kiehl’s products are not 100% gluten-free but might not trigger allergic reactions. Kiehl’s claims that most ingredients derived from these sources are highly refined and retain no traces of allergenic proteins. For less refined ingredients from natural sources, Kiehl’s has established strict limits on the level of potentially allergenic proteins. You can contact Kiehl’s if you have any questions regarding your allergy.
Is Kiehl’s Nut-Free?
Kiehl’s does not brand itself as entirely nut-free. It uses a variety of natural ingredients, including oils and extracts from nuts, in some of its product formulations. These can include ingredients like almond oil, shea butter, and others derived from nuts.
Is Kiehl’s Soy-Free?
No, Kiehl’s is not soy-free but might not trigger allergic reactions. Kiehl’s claims that most ingredients derived from these sources are highly refined and retain no traces of allergenic proteins. For less refined ingredients from natural sources, Kiehl’s has established strict limits on the level of potentially allergenic proteins. You can contact Kiehl’s if you have any questions regarding your allergy.
Is Kiehl’s Conscious?
At Conscious Bunny, we’re all about supporting brands that do good. We believe that brands who are conscious show this with their actions in environmental sustainability, ethical sourcing, social responsibility, transparency, and accountability.
For those of us who care about making conscious choices, we’ve done our homework on these topics. We’ve answered the big questions to help you pick products that match your values.
Kiehl’s is conscious. This is based on the following:
Where Is Kiehl’s Made?
Kiehl’s manufactures many products in the United States. Globally, the L’Oréal Group has 40 factories and manufactures finished products around the world.
Is Kiehl’s Sustainable?
Kiehl’s is committed to sustainability. Here are some facts published by Kiehl’s:
- 94% of Kiehl’s products are manufactured in plants using renewable energy
- 62% of their ingredients are sourced from Biobased, Abundant Mineral, or Circular raw materials
- 33% of the plastic they source comes from post-consumer recycled materials
- They have introduced refillable for some of their best-selling products
Is Kiehl’s Socially Responsible?
Kiehl’s is socially responsible. They’re supporting several projects tat give back to the community. They actually share on their website that they were able to improve the communities most in need. “Since 2015, your generosity has helped us to give over $18.6 million to causes supporting the LGTBQ+, environment, children’s wellbeing, and more.”
Is Kiehl’s B Corp Certified?
Kiehl’s is not B Corp Certified. A brand can still be conscious without this certification.
When a brand earns B Corp certification, it pledges to consider everyone impacted by its decisions, beyond just its owners. This entails workers, the communities in which they operate, suppliers, consumers, and the environment. This certification can reassure consumers, emphasizing the brand’s dedication to considering the broader impact of its decisions.
Thank You For Being Here!
I hope that this post answered all your questions about Kiehl’s. If not, please feel free to leave a comment below or reach out through the contact form. I’m more than happy to help!
Thank you for being here because it means that you are interested in cruelty-free beauty and are educating yourself about this subject. If you’re willing to learn even more, here are some of the resources we provide to help you on your journey: