Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Conscious Bunny?
We have answers.
Conscious Bunny is committed to providing accurate, well-researched, and transparent information about cruelty-free, vegan, clean, and conscious beauty. Every brand we list is thoroughly researched using publicly available data, direct brand communication, and reputable sources.
While no system is completely foolproof, we go the extra mile by following up with brands multiple times, asking detailed questions, and even requesting documentation when needed. If a brand’s cruelty-free status is unclear, we place them in the Grey Area rather than making assumptions.
Our goal is to make it easier for you to make informed, ethical beauty choices based on the most up-to-date and honest information available.
We start by doing thorough online research, checking the brand’s website and other reliable sources for any information on their animal testing policies. If key details are missing or need verification, we reach out to the brand directly.
Most brands don’t respond right away—or they reply with vague, generic answers—so we often have to follow up multiple times. We dig as deep as possible, sometimes even requesting certifications or documents to confirm that a brand is truly cruelty-free (or vegan, clean, or conscious, based on the information we provide in our brand articles).
Once we’ve gathered enough details, we determine whether the brand is cruelty-free, falls into the Grey Area, or does not meet cruelty-free standards.
We start with a set of core questions to determine if a brand is truly cruelty-free:
- Does your brand test on animals for either finished products or ingredients?
- Do your suppliers test on animals? How do you ensure this?
- Do any third parties test on animals on your behalf?
- Do you test on animals where required by law?
- In which countries are your products sold (excluding online sales)? Is China one of these countries?
Depending on their answers, we ask follow-up questions to get more details about their production process, suppliers, and any third-party involvement.
Beyond cruelty-free status, if key information isn’t publicly available, we also ask about their ingredients (such as whether they use clean ingredients or potential allergens like gluten, nuts, or soy), sustainability efforts, and where their products are manufactured. Our goal is to get the most complete and transparent picture of a brand before classifying them.
We rely on brands being transparent by publicly sharing their full animal testing policy. While there’s no foolproof way to guarantee honesty, being caught in a lie can seriously damage a brand’s reputation. This is why, in general, most brands are honest about their policies.
No, it doesn’t have to mean that a brand tests on animals. As I manage this site all by myself, it might be possible that (newer) brands haven’t been added yet.
If you can’t find a particular brand, feel free to reach out, and I’ll look into the brand you’re requesting.
A brand in the “Grey Area” means there isn’t enough clear information to confirm whether they test on animals or not. This usually happens when a brand doesn’t respond to multiple inquiries over a long period or refuses to share details about their suppliers, ingredients, or third-party testing policies.
As I’m still working on adding more and more brands to the database, lists may not get updated as frequently as I would like. I keep an eye out and make changes at least once a month.
No, there isn’t. Joining any list on Conscious Bunny is free. However, a brand must be willing to answer all needed questions and provide all necessary information.
General Frequently Asked Questions
Cruelty-free beauty means that a brand does not test its products or ingredients on animals at any stage of production. It also means that the brand does not allow third parties to conduct animal testing on its behalf and does not sell in countries where animal testing is required by law.
Vegan beauty means that a product does not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products, such as beeswax, lanolin, or carmine.
Clean beauty generally refers to products made without certain ingredients that are considered harmful or controversial, such as parabens, sulfates, or synthetic fragrances. However, there isn’t a universal definition for “clean beauty,” so your own research is important here.
Conscious or sustainable beauty focuses on minimizing environmental impact. This can include using ethically sourced ingredients, recyclable packaging, eco-friendly production methods, and reducing carbon footprints. Some brands also prioritize fair trade and ethical labor practices.
Not necessarily. Some brands claim to be cruelty-free but may still allow animal testing in certain markets or rely on suppliers that test on animals. That’s why looking for certifications or asking brands specific questions about their policies is important. Or you use our site to make the research way easier. 🙂
*Unfortunately, the term cruelty-free isn’t regulated by the FDA. This means that any brand can make that claim with no legal consequences, even if they do test on animals.
Leaping Bunny certification is generally the most reliable, as it requires brands to undergo strict audits and commit to not testing on animals at any stage. PETA’s certification is easier to obtain and relies on brand statements without independent verification. Both can be helpful, but doing extra research is always a good idea.
I’ve written an article about Leaping Bunny vs. PETA that goes into their differences and how reliable of of them are.
It means the brand itself does not test on animals, but its parent company may test on animals or own other brands that do. Some consumers choose to support these brands to show demand for cruelty-free products, while others avoid them due to the parent company’s practices.
Not necessarily. While China used to require mandatory animal testing for all imported cosmetics, this law has changed for many types of products. However, products sold in physical stores in China (excluding Hong Kong) may still face post-market testing in certain cases.
This phrase usually means that a brand allows animal testing in markets where it is legally required, such as China. If a company truly opposes animal testing, they would avoid selling in these regions or find alternative ways to enter the market without animal testing.
China has relaxed some of its animal testing requirements, especially for general cosmetics like makeup, body wash, and skincare. Brands that meet specific criteria can avoid animal testing. However, special-use cosmetics (like sunscreens and hair dyes) may still require testing, and post-market testing is still a concern.
no answer yet?
Contact Us!
Didn’t find the answer you were looking for? No worries—I’m happy to help! Before reaching out, check out our Resources section, where I answer some common questions in blog post style. If you still can’t find what you need, feel free to contact me via the contact form or directly at contact@consciousbunny.com.