Welcome to the first issue of my new “Nurturing Beauty” newsletter. I will focus on a wide range of topics and issues that affect the welfare of animals, people, and the environment—especially as they pertain to beauty and fashion. I will also offer tidbits at the end of each newsletter including everything from favorite websites to books I’ve read that have made an impact. Your thoughts and ideas are welcome! Thank you for subscribing and feel free to share this with anyone you think will be interested.
Animal Testing…a Few Surprises?
There is one area that so many people agree on that it has become a mainstream concern rather than simply a vegetarian or vegan issue. The issue is animal testing on personal care and cosmetic products, in particular. Most of us understand that blinding a bunny with mascara serves no useful purpose other than to torture the bunny, and there are many other ways to determine the efficacy of a product.
In fact, it seems so unnecessary that many people assume it is universally accepted that animal testing a moisturizer, say, is a no-no. Sadly, I have discovered, as I have done more and more research, that there are many large companies, in particular, that ignore this consumer preference and regularly test their products on animals. Perhaps they hope they have created such a strong brand name that people either don’t think about it or overlook it because those products have become staples in their lives.
Here’s an opportunity to know who still tests and perhaps consider more compassionate alternatives to these brands. How we spend our hard earned dollars is what really makes a business stand up and take notice. (Please note that this list is a small sampling. Sadly, there are many more companies that continue to do unnecessary animal testing, and some of these companies own other companies that are not listed here.) Here are two resources that list companies that do and don’t test on animals: www.caringconsumer.com and www.thevegetariansite.com
These companies continue to test on animals:
- Arm & Hammer — Consider another source of laundry detergent?
- Banana Boat — Many people use their sunscreen products
- Colgate Palmolive — Remember, they now own Tom’s of Maine
- Dial Corporation — Think Dry Idea and Soft & Dry
- Dove — They are owned by Unilever who does test on animals
- L’Oreal — They own The Body Shop, Maybelline, Lancome, Kiehl’s and more.
- Neutrogena — Owned by Johnson & Johnson
- Oral B — Owned by Gillette
- Proctor and Gamble — They own Oil of Olay, Clairol, Cover Girl, and Max Factor just to name a few.
- Sally Hansen — Nail products
Each time you switch from a company that tests on animals to one that does not, you are making a statement that animal abuse (and you cannot believe the horrors these animals endure) is not acceptable to you. As I discover products I currently use that are owned by companies that test on animals, I am making changes. Sometimes, you have to search to find out who owns what, but it is worth the effort. And, nine times out of ten there is another good choice. Each change makes a difference.
For a listing of current boycotts (for animal testing and environmental exploitation) visit the UK website www.ethicalconsumer.org.
Thanks for the enlightening (inner beauty word) session yesterday. It was so helpful to think about who I am REALLY and how my clothing and style can reflect it!
