This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read the full disclosure here.
If you’re wondering, “Is OUAI 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 OUAI 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 OUAI Cruelty-Free?
Yes, OUAI is cruelty-free and does not test on animals. They have confirmed that they don’t test finished products or ingredients on animals, nor do their suppliers or third parties. They also don’t sell their products where animal testing is required by law.
Is OUAI Owned By A Cruelty-Free Parent Company?
OUAI is owned by a parent company that tests on animals. The parent company is Procter & Gamble, which 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 OUAI Cruelty-Free Certified?
Yes, OUAI is Leaping Bunny certified.
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 OUAI Sold Where Animal Testing Is Required By Law?
OUAI is not sold where animal testing is required by law.
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 OUAI Vegan?
OUAI is not fully vegan, meaning some of its products contain animal-derived ingredients. However, it does offer quite a few vegan products that are also vegan-certified. You can find these products on its website.
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 OUAI Clean?
Yes, OUAI is a clean beauty brand. The brand produces its products without the use of potentially harmful ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, and sulfates.
Just keep in mind that their products may contain palm as, as they state: “Though we try not to add palm oil directly to our products, there may be palm oil derivatives in our formulas.”
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 OUAI Fragrance-Free?
No, OUAI is not (synthetic) fragrance-free.
Is OUAI Paraben-Free?
Yes, OUAI is paraben-free.
Is OUAI Gluten-Free?
All current OUAI products are made without gluten.
However, please note that their manufacturing facilities are not gluten-free certified. If you have an allergy, we always recommend consulting with your health physician before starting any new products.
Is OUAI Nut-Free?
No, OUAI is not nut-free. OUAI does not have information about nut-free products on its website. Based on this, I assume that their products may contain nuts.
Is OUAI Soy-Free?
No, OUAI is not soy-free. OUAI does not have information on its website about soy-free products. Based on this, I assume that their products may contain soy.
Is OUAI 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.
OUAI is conscious. This is based on the following:
Where Is OUAI Made?
All OUAI products are developed and produced in the United States.
Is OUAI Sustainable?
Yes, OUAI is committed to sustainability. The brand shares that -even though they can do better- they are constantly working toward a better OUAI because, ultimately, getting greener means doing good for our earth.
Their Detox Shampoo is recyclable, just like all their fine, medium, and thick shampoos and Conditioners. The bottle and cap are 100% recyclable and made from PCR, or Post-Consumer Resin, which is a material made from recycled, cleaned, and processed plastic.
Other ways OUAI is getting greener:
- They use recyclable plastics whenever and as much as possible;
- They only work with vendors committed to sustainable methods;
- Their packaging and shipping are as sustainable as possible;
- They have a sustainable yet stylish Refillable Travel Bottle Kit, so you can take OUAI wherever you go;
- They offer refill pouches for our fine, medium, and thick shampoos and Conditioners, Detox Shampoos, Body Cleansers, and Hand Lotions and Hand Washes.
Is OUAI Socially Responsible?
OUAI supports She’s the First, an organization that helps support girls and get them on the OUAI to choose their own futures and organizations that help LGBTQIA+ youth achieve equality and safety.
They’re also not afraid to speak up. For example, in 2022, they showed solidarity with the women of Iran and supported their right, and every woman’s right, to control their bodies, choices, and lives.
Is OUAI B Corp Certified?
OUAI 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 OUAI. 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: