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If you’re wondering, “Is Origins 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 Origins 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 Origins Cruelty-Free?
Origins is not cruelty-free. Their statement: “Origins has a strong belief that cosmetic animal testing is not necessary and should be eliminated worldwide. We do not test on animals and our company is helping to bring about change in countries where animal testing is conducted on cosmetics as required by law.”
They then link to their parent company, Esteé Lauder’s website, and this company tests on animals where required by law – even though they make it seem like they don’t. Since Origins has the same policies, the brand is not considered cruelty-free.
Does A Cruelty-Free Parent Company Own Origins?
Origins is owned by a parent company, Esteé Lauder, that 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 Origins Cruelty-Free Certified?
No, Origins 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 Origins Sold Where Animal Testing Is Required By Law?
Yes, Origins is available for sale in countries, including China, with mandatory animal testing.
With the recent changes to China’s animal testing laws, cosmetic companies can now export and sell some of their cosmetics in China without animal testing (explained below). However, it’s not stated anywhere that Origins has taken any steps to meet the requirements to avoid animal testing.
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 Origins Vegan?
No, Origins is not vegan, meaning that its products may contain animal-derived ingredients. However, Origins does offer vegan products. However, since the brand is not cruelty-free and engages in animal testing, we wouldn’t consider any Origins products vegan.
The brand says that all Origins products are vegetarian, which means that they’re made without animal-derived ingredients except cruelty-free honey and/or beeswax.
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 Origins Clean?
Yes, Origins is a clean brand. Their products are formulated without 1,500+ ingredients in compliance with the EU’s stringent regulations. In addition, Origins products are free of Parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing agents, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin, diethanolamine (DEA), and polyethylene beads.
Origins products are made with naturally derived ingredients, including high-quality plant- and earth-based ingredients, along with non-toxic, synthetic alternatives that are proven safe for the skin.
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 Origins Fragrance-Free?
No, Origins is not fragrance-free, but its products are scented with 100% natural essential oils. Only their Ginger Body line contains synthetic fragrances.
Is Origins Paraben-Free?
Yes, Origins is paraben-free.
Is Origins Gluten-Free?
Most Origins products are formulated without gluten, a protein found primarily in wheat and other grains; to see which products are gluten-free, check individual product pages on their website.
Note that none of their products are certified as gluten-free because they are not manufactured at certified gluten-free facilities.
Is Origins Nut-Free?
No, Origins 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 Origins Soy-Free?
No, Origins is not soy-free. The brand does not share any information on the use of soy in their products, which probably means their products may contain soy.
Is Origins 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.
Origins is somewhat conscious but still needs to take steps regarding animal testing. That’s why I don’t want to call the brand fully conscious; they’re not. Their efforts in sustainable and clean ingredient production are great, though.
Where Is Origins Made?
While it is not fully clear, it looks like Origins products are manufactured worldwide.
Is Origins Sustainable?
Yes, Origins is committed to sustainability. The brand ensures that all new formulas are at least 90% naturally derived, maintaining high product efficacy standards through green chemistry principles. It also focuses on sustainability in ingredient selection, packaging design, manufacturing practices, and tree-planting initiatives.
The brand collaborates with a global network of suppliers to ensure high-quality ingredients and support local communities. The responsibly sourced Reishi Mushroom used in the Mega-Mushroom Treatment Lotion exemplifies this commitment.
Material sustainability is a priority, with packaging designed to be recyclable, refillable, reusable, recycled, or recoverable. New store fixtures and visual merchandising prioritize local, low-emission, recyclable, or recycled materials.
Since 2009, Origins has planted over 2.3 million trees, expanding its greening program to 24 US cities and international locations like Malaysia, Thailand, Israel, and Germany. This has positively impacted local communities through reforestation.
In collaboration with One Tree Planted, Origins plants saplings instead of seeds to boost growth and improve the chances of establishing a resilient root system. To date, Origins has pledged, planted, and cared for 2,350,821 trees, equivalent to 167,915 trees per year, 460 trees per day, and 20 trees per hour.
The brand also shares that all its cartons are made with paperboard from responsibly managed forests. 55% of its packaging by weight is recyclable, refillable, reusable, recycled, or recoverable. Additionally, Origins uses recycled and recyclable cardboard shippers to transport its products.
Is Origins Socially Responsible?
Origins is somewhat socially responsible. While they don’t mention any community related projects or actions they have taken, they do support local communities with their sustainable efforts. While they may can do better for the community, it’s not bad either.
Is Origins B Corp Certified?
Origins is not B Corp Certified. 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 Origins. 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: