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Is Hourglass cruelty-free? – This is a question I’ve found myself asking, and I’m sure many of you have pondered it as well. As passionate makeup enthusiasts and animal lovers, it’s essential for us to know whether our favorite beauty brands align with our values.
No one wants the guilt of contributing to animal suffering while putting on their daily face, right? So today, let’s dive into the world of Hourglass Cosmetics and find out if their breathtakingly beautiful products are just as kind to our furry friends as they are to our skin!
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 Hourglass 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 Hourglass Cruelty-Free?
Hourglass is cruelty-free. They have confirmed that they don’t test finished products or ingredients on animals, nor do their suppliers or third parties.
Is Hourglass Owned By A Cruelty-Free Parent Company?
Hourglass is owned by a parent company that tests on animals. The parent company is Unilever, and this is not a cruelty-free company.
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 do 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 Hourglass Cruelty-Free Certified?
Yes, Hourglass is PETA-certified. Companies can be fully cruelty-free without being certified, but the certifications are a good indicator of their ethical practices.
Is Hourglass Sold In China?
No, Hourglass 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 now 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 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 Hourglass 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 Hourglass Vegan?
Hourglass is not completely vegan yet, but they’re working hard to be fully vegan eventually. Many Hourglass products are produced without animal-derived ingredients already, and you can shop all vegan-friendly products on their vegan makeup page.
If you want to learn more about vegan beauty products, check out our What Makes A Beauty Product Vegan guide or our List Of 13 Vegan Ingredients In Beauty Products.
Is Hourglass Considered A Clean Beauty Brand?
Let’s start with a little background on what exactly is meant by “clean.” 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.
No, Hourglass is not a clean beauty brand. While many Hourglass products are produced without the use of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, GMOs, Triclosan, and nanoparticles, the brand is not completely free of these ingredients.
This means that Hourglass is doing really well and could eventually even become a clean beauty brand (if they want to). Either way, Hourglass is a cleaner option than many other (luxury) brands.
What Are Harmful Ingredients?
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. Here are some of the most frequently used ingredients:
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 Hourglass Fragrance-Free?
No, Hourglass is not completely fragrance-free. However, many Hourglass products are produced without the use of synthetic fragrances. Please consult Hourglass packaging for the complete list of “free of” ingredients.
Is Hourglass Paraben-Free?
No, Hourglass is not completely paraben-free. However, many Hourglass products are produced without the use of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, GMOs, Triclosan, and nanoparticles. Please consult Hourglass packaging for the complete list of “free of” ingredients.
Is Hourglass Sustainable?
Yes, Hourglass is sustainable. For example, the Curator Eyeshadow is a customizable eyeshadow collection that utilizes refillable packaging innovation. In lieu of virgin plastic, the palettes are consciously crafted from tin and post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, and each individual eyeshadow pan is made from recyclable aluminum.
They also give back by donating 1% of annual net profits from hourglasscosmetics.com to their partner, the Nonhuman Rights Projects, a U.S. organization that works to secure fundamental rights for animals. On top of that, Hourglass donates 5% of annual net profits from Unlocked products to the NhRP’s efforts.
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.
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 On Is Hourglass Cruelty-Free
After conducting thorough research and analysis, I can confidently say that Hourglass is indeed a cruelty-free brand. Regarding makeup and skincare products, we want to feel good about what we’re putting on our bodies and its impact on animals and the environment. By choosing cruelty-free brands like Hourglass, we can ensure that our cosmetic choices align with our values.
It’s crucial not only for animal welfare but also for the beauty industry as a whole to shift towards more sustainable and ethical practices. And by supporting brands like Hourglass, we are contributing towards this change.
So go ahead and try out Hourglass’ amazing range of products guilt-free! You deserve quality makeup without compromising your ethics or morals.
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