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If you’re wondering, “Is NARS 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 NARS is cruelty-free, vegan, clean, and conscious. Additionally, we examine if 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 NARS Cruelty-Free?
NARS is not cruelty-free. They may test on animals, either themselves, through their suppliers, or a third party.
Is NARS Owned By A Cruelty-Free Parent Company?
NARS is owned by a parent company that tests on animals. The parent company is Shiseido, and this is not a cruelty-free company. Shiseido states that they do tests on animals where required by law. This policy makes them a company that still tests on animals.
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 NARS Cruelty-Free Certified?
No, NARS 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 NARS Sold Where Animal Testing Is Required By Law?
Yes, NARS is available for sale in countries with mandatory animal testing. This means that their products 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 can 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 NARS Vegan?
NARS is not vegan. They might offer some vegan products, but they’re not 100% vegan, meaning that some of them contain animal-derived ingredients.
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, similar to 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 100% Vegan Beauty Brands A-Z list, or use our free Vegan Ingredient Checker to determine whether a specific product contains animal-derived ingredients.
Is NARS Clean?
No, NARS is not a clean beauty brand. They still use synthetic ingredients and harsh chemicals in their products.
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 Clean Beauty Brands A-Z list, or use our free Clean Ingredients Checker to determine whether 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 NARS Fragrance-Free?
NARS is not (synthetic) fragrance-free.
Is NARS Paraben-Free?
NARS is not paraben-free.
Is NARS Gluten-Free?
No, NARS is not 100% gluten-free. Many NARS products do not contain ingredients derived from barley, oats, rye, spelt, or wheat, which are commonly known sources of gluten. However, due to the wide range of raw materials and equipment used during the manufacturing of their products, NARS cannot confirm that their products are free from any traces of gluten.
Is NARS Nut-Free?
No, NARS is not nut-free. The brand does not share any information on the use of nuts in their products, which probably means their products may contain nuts.
Is NARS Soy-Free?
No, NARS is not soy-free. Due to the range of raw materials and equipment used during the manufacturing of NARS products, they cannot confirm that their products are entirely free from any traces of soy.
Is NARS 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.
NARS is not conscious; its parent company, Shiseido, is somewhat conscious. Both companies participate in animal testing and don’t really use clean ingredients so based on these facts I can’t call them fully conscious. But as you can see below, Shiseido is making efforts when it comes to consciousness.
Where Is NARS Made?
NARS is mostly made in the US.
Is NARS Sustainable?
NARS itself isn’t sustainable. However, NARS follows the policies of its parent company, Shiseido, and based on these, NARS would also be sustainable. Shiseido is dedicated to sustainability, ensuring that people and nature can thrive together. Their approach includes:
- Reducing CO₂ Emissions: By using energy more efficiently, increasing renewable energy use, and collaborating with others to cut down on indirect emissions.
- Managing Water Resources: Ensuring sustainable use, reducing consumption, improving efficiency, and maintaining water quality.
- Resource and Waste Optimization: Following the “5Rs” (Respect, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Replace) to minimize waste.
- Protecting Biodiversity: Reducing impact on ecosystems, supporting zero deforestation, and ensuring sustainable sourcing of key materials like palm oil and paper.
- Creating Sustainable Products: Using innovative methods to make high-quality, environmentally friendly products.
- Complying with Regulations: Following all relevant environmental laws and setting high internal standards.
- Engaging Stakeholders: Communicate openly about their efforts and involve employees in sustainability initiatives.
- Managing Environmental Impact: All production sites are ISO 14001 certified, showing a strong commitment to reducing environmental impact and continually improving their practices.
Is NARS Socially Responsible?
NARS itself isn’t socially responsible. However, NARS follows the policies of its parent company, Shiseido, and based on these, NARS would also be socially responsible.
Shiseido supports many different projects, programs, and good causes related to sustainability and the community. You can read about their efforts here.
Is NARS B Corp Certified?
NARS is not B Corp Certified, neither is Shiseido. However, 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 NARS. 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: