This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read the full disclosure here.
You’re here because you want to know the answer to “Is Good Molecules cruelty-free?” and you’re at the right place. We at Conscious Bunny do thorough research to discover everything about a brand, including whether Good Molecules is cruelty-free, vegan, and/or sustainable, and also whether it’s clean, fragrance-free, and/or paraben-free.
Let’s face it: The world of cruelty-free, vegan, and clean beauty can be a bit of a maze and even misleading. Green-washing, faking logos, and using deceiving terms are still common today. It’s our mission to cut through the noise because we believe you deserve to make choices based on facts, not fluff.
Is Good Molecules Cruelty-Free?
Good Molecules is cruelty-free and does not test on animals. The company has confirmed that it does not test its finished products or ingredients on animals. Furthermore, their suppliers and any third parties involved in the manufacturing process also adhere to the same policy.
Is Good Molecules Owned By A Cruelty-Free Parent Company?
Good Molecules is not owned by a parent company that tests on animals. This means that the brand operates independently and that the brand can solely be held accountable for its actions and claims regarding animal testing.
You might be wondering why this is important information. Now, here’s the thing: many of these parent companies aren’t cruelty-free themselves because they do some level of animal testing. And, to complicate matters, they might own a bunch of brands that also aren’t cruelty-free.
No immediate worries, though; some of the brands under these parent companies are proudly cruelty-free and have really strict policies against animal testing. So, you can still find ethically conscious options within these bigger brand families.
We like to mention this because some consumers don’t buy from cruelty-free brands with an animal-testing parent company. We respect everyone’s choice in this!
Is Good Molecules Cruelty-Free Certified?
Yes, Good Molecules is certified by Leaping Bunny.
Is Good Molecules Sold In China?
Good Molecules is not sold in China or any other countries where animal testing is required by law.
China, for example, has mandatory animal testing policies for certain imported cosmetic products. To comply with these regulations, some brands choose to sell their products in physical stores in China, where animal testing may occur.
Starting in 2023, brands will have the possibility to enter China and avoid animal testing, so companies can now enter the Chinese market without funding animal cruelty. However, not every brand can 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.
On top of that, this doesn’t mean that China completely banned animal testing – they didn’t. If a brand wants to test on animals, it’s still possible to do so in China. While it’s great that China is slowly relaxing its animal testing laws, I just want to warn you that it doesn’t mean that all brands sold in China are now cruelty-free.
We’re in a quite vague phase, which makes shopping cruelty-free a little harder. However, brands selling in China don’t have to be an immediate no-no anymore.
Since Good Molecules does not sell its products in countries where animal testing is required by law, you don’t have to worry about this. This ensures that their commitment to cruelty-free practices extends beyond borders.
Is Good Molecules Vegan?
It looks like Good Molecules’ current product line is almost completely vegan, except for their Pimple Patches (but Ulta marked them as vegan so I’m a little confused here). However, Good Molecules doesn’t claim to be vegan, and they didn’t respond to my questions about their vegan status when I reached out to them.
This probably means that Good Molecules tries to create vegan products, but it’s not a dealbreaker for them when a product does include animal-derived ingredients. I recommend checking out the specific product page on their website before you purchase.
Is Good Molecules Considered Clean?
Let’s start with a little background on what exactly “clean” means. The term “clean beauty” is controversial because it isn’t regulated; this means that brands can slap ‘clean,’ ‘green,’ ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ on their products whenever they want.
How I personally approach “clean beauty” is the same as Goop explains it: clean beauty products are those made without ingredients shown or suspected to harm human health, animal health, or the environment.
Good Molecules is somewhat considered a clean brand. I reached out to the brand to see if they could share more information, and they responded with, “While we do not necessarily label ourselves as a clean brand, we take great care in considering the ingredients and the formulation of our products so that they are both effective and safe to use.”
They didn’t mention any ingredients they may skip, such as parabens, phthalates, or SLS/SLES—which I specifically asked about. However, when I browse on Ulta, the Good Molecules products are marked as “Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty™,” and when I look through their product’s ingredients list randomly, I don’t see any concerning ingredients.
Good Molecules probably has quite clean products, but due to the lack of transparency and information, I’m not fully secure enough to call them 100% clean.
What Are Harmful Ingredients?
Harmful ingredients commonly found in skincare and makeup products include sulfates, synthetic fragrances, parabens, mineral oils, and formaldehyde-releasing agents. These substances can have adverse effects on the skin and overall health.
When you’re on a mission to find clean beauty products, it’s important to know exactly what that means. “Clean” refers to products free of harmful chemicals or synthetic ingredients. But what exactly are harmful chemicals or ingredients?
There are way more harmful ingredients than I mentioned in the list below, but here are some of the most common and most used ingredients that are harmful:
Ingredient | Concerns |
Parabens | Potential hormone disruption, allergenic potential |
Phthalates | Reproductive and developmental issues |
Formaldehyde | Skin irritation, potential carcinogenic effects |
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) | Skin irritation, oil-stripping potential |
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) | Skin irritation, oil-stripping potential |
Synthetic Fragrances | Allergenic potential, often not fully disclosed |
Is Good Molecules Fragrance-Free?
Yes, Good Molecules is a fragrance-free brand. This means that their products do not contain any added fragrances or perfumes, which can often irritate sensitive skin types. Instead, they focus on using high-quality ingredients that are beneficial for the skin without any unnecessary additives.
Is Good Molecules Paraben-Free?
It looks like most, if not all, of Good Molecules’ products are paraben-free, but it was not communicated properly or affirmed when I reached out to the brand. I recommend thoroughly checking each ingredient list of your product of interest before purchasing.
Is Good Molecules Sustainable?
Yes, Good Molecules is committed to sustainability. All of the serum bottles (and toner) are glass and can be recycled. Their Silicone Free Priming Moisturizer can also be recycled and, moving forward, will be made with 30% PCR content as well. The dropper caps will also be made with PCR in the future. They’re working on either removing plastic (like the cleansing balm aluminum component) or using plastic from recycled sources.
How Do You 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 Cruelty-Free International, PETA, and Leaping Bunny, 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 important 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, or ask the brand the following questions:
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.
Frequently Asked Questions