Is Clinique Cruelty-Free? Here’s The Astounding Truth

The idea of living a cruelty-free and vegan lifestyle has recently gained a lot of traction as more and more people become aware of animal suffering and the impact of animal products on the environment. 

Consumers are increasingly looking for brands committed to animal welfare and the environment, creating a demand for cruelty-free and vegan products. 

Many companies have responded to this demand by offering products that are free from animal testing and animal-derived ingredients. But how can you tell if a brand is truly cruelty-free and vegan? 

And in this case, specifically, is Clinique cruelty-free? Let me help you find the answer. 

The first step is to understand the difference between cruelty-free and vegan. Cruelty-free means that the products were not tested on animals, while vegan implies that the products do not contain any animal ingredients or byproducts. 

Some companies claim to be both cruelty-free and vegan, while others may focus on one or the other. 

In this article, I will share if Clinique is cruelty-free, vegan, and/or sustainable. But also if it’s clean, non-toxic, fragrance-free, and/or paraben-free. This way, you can easily decide whether you want to buy their products. 

Is Clinique Cruelty-Free? 

Clinique is not cruelty-free. They may test on animals, either themselves, through their suppliers, or a third party.

Is Clinique Owned By A Cruelty-Free Parent Company?

Clinique is owned by a parent company that tests on animals. The parent company is Estée Lauder, and this is not a cruelty-free company. Estée Lauder states that they do tests on animals where required by law. This policy makes them a company that still tests on animals.

Is Clinique Sold In China?

Clinique is sold in China. This is an important fact because, in China, animal testing is required by law. This means that if a brand sells its products in China, they’re not cruelty-free.

Cruelty-Free Alternatives

Skincare Brands	Makeup Brands
Skinfix	Kosas**
Derma E	MERIT**
Fenty Skin	Rose Inc**

See more cruelty-free makeup and skincare brands here.

Is Clinique Vegan? 

Clinique is not entirely vegan. They might offer some vegan products, but they’re not 100% vegan, meaning that some of them contain animal-derived ingredients.

Vegan Alternatives For Non-Vegan Ingredients

There are many other vegan options for animal-derived ingredients. If you’re curious to know which non-vegan ingredients are replaceable with vegan alternatives, check out the following: 

Non-Vegan Ingredient	Source	Vegan Alternative
Squalane	Shark liver oil	Squalane (plant-derived: from olives, wheat germ, amaranth)
Collagen	Animal connective tissues	Plant-based collagen (seaweed, algae)
Lanolin	Sheep’s wool	Vegetable oils (shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil)
Beeswax	Bees	Plant-based waxes (candelilla wax, carnauba wax, vegan wax)
Honey	Bees	Agave nectar, maple syrup
Carmine (cochineal)	Cochineal insects	Beetroot extract, berry extracts
Keratin	Animal hair, horns, feathers	Plant-derived proteins (soy protein, wheat protein, oat protein)
Gelatin	Animal bones, skin, and connective tissues	Agar agar, carrageenan, guar gum
Guanine	Fish scales	Synthetic mica, bismuth oxychloride
Silk	Silkworms	Plant-based fabrics (bamboo, hemp)
Animal fats and oils	Various animal sources	Plant-based oils (coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil)

Is Clinique Considered Clean? 

No, Clinique is not considered a clean beauty brand. Even though they’re paraben, phthalate, and fragrance-free, they still use several harmful ingredients and harsh chemicals in their products. 

The term “clean beauty” is controversial because it isn’t regulated; this means that brands can slap ‘clean,’ ‘green,’ and ‘natural’ on their products whenever they want. 

In broad terms, clean beauty products are those made without ingredients shown or suspected to harm human health (source: Goop) or the environment. 

To me, clean beauty is defined by mindfully created products without any proven or suspected toxic ingredients. Clean beauty products include ingredients that are made with the health of our bodies, animals, and the environment in mind. 

So to conclude: A clean beauty brand sells products that don’t contain harmful ingredients for humans, animals, and the environment. Keep in mind; It doesn’t mean a brand is vegan or cruelty-free.

Harmful Ingredients You Want To Avoid

Sadly, there are quite a few (actually… thousands) of harmful ingredients or ingredients that are suspected to be harmful to humans, animals, and/or the environment.

Some examples of the ingredients that don’t make the cut in clean beauty products are sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens, pesticides, petroleum derivatives, artificial coloring, and synthetic fragrances.

Is Clinique Fragrance-Free? 

Clinique is (synthetic) fragrance-free. 

Is Clinique Paraben-Free? 

Clinique is paraben-free. 

Is Clinique Sustainable? 

Clinique is committed to sustainability. Clinique’s goal: by 2025, 75% of their packaging will be recyclable, refillable, reusable, recycled, or recoverable, and 100% of their secondary packaging will be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.

Sustainable Alternatives

Skincare Brands	Makeup Brands
rhode skin	ILIA Beauty
The Inkey List	bareMinerals
Supergoop	Tower 28

See more clean makeup and skincare brands here.

How To Find Out If A Brand Is Cruelty-Free And/Or Vegan Yourself?

The easiest way to tell if a brand is cruelty-free and vegan is to look for third-party certification. Several organizations, such as Leaping Bunny and PETA, offer cruelty-free certifications for companies that have agreed to adhere to their strict guidelines for animal testing. 

Similarly, the Vegan Society provides a Vegan Trademark to companies that do not use any animal-derived ingredients in their products. Look for these certifications as a sign that a brand is truly cruelty-free and vegan.

It’s also essential to look beyond the label. Many companies may claim to be cruelty-free and vegan but may not actually adhere to those standards.

Check the company’s website for information about their animal testing policies and ingredients. 

Questions

Does your brand test products or ingredients on animals?

Do the companies you get your supplies from, test on animals? How do you ensure they don’t?

Are there any other companies that test on animals for you?

Do you test on animals when the law says you have to?

In which countries can you find your products in physical stores (not counting online sales)?

Finally, look for reviews from other cruelty-free and vegan consumers. They may have had firsthand experience with the brand and can provide insight into the company’s actual practices. 

Moreover, they may be able to recommend alternative cruelty-free and vegan brands that meet your needs. 

By following these steps, you can determine if a brand is truly cruelty-free and vegan. If you would like more information and tips, check out this cruelty-free makeup and skincare guide. 

With more and more companies offering animal-friendly products, it’s easier than ever to find cruelty-free and vegan products that fit your lifestyle.

Conclusion

Sadly we found out the answer to the question “is Clinique cruelty-free?” and the answer is no, Clinique is not cruelty-free. They may test on animals, either themselves, through their suppliers, or a third party.

Clinique is sold in China, and its parent company is not a cruelty-free company either. On top of that, Clinique is not entirely vegan, but they’re fragrance-free, phthalate-free, and paraben-free. However, they also still offer products containing harmful ingredients.

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