BLOG SPOT with Will Fennell

The Path to Ethical Beauty: Embracing Truly Cruelty-Free and Sustainable Products

It’s startling that many cosmetic companies still rely on animal testing. Go here for a comprehensive list of those that still do. www.crueltyfree.peta.org/companies-do-test.

However, it’s crucial to note that even with those who claim to be ‘cruelty-free ‘, the term can be misleading. Some companies may not directly test on animals, but they source ingredients from other manufacturers that do. This deceptive practice underscores the importance of consumer vigilance, as animals are still being used for testing despite the ‘cruelty-free’ label.

It’s important to grasp the extent of animal testing in the beauty industry. Traditionally, thirteen tests have been used, all involving animal testing. These tests cover a range of areas, including skin and eye irritation, skin penetration, skin sensitisation, phototoxicity and photosensitisation, mutagenicity, acute and chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, teratogenicity, and finished product safety evaluation.

National governments, the cosmetics industry, the scientific community, and animal rights groups are all working together to develop and validate alternative methods to animal testing for cosmetics. However, progress against animal testing could be faster.

As consumers, we wield significant power in shaping the beauty industry. By consciously opting for genuinely cruelty-free products, we can make a substantial impact. A comprehensive list of such product companies can be found at www.choosecrueltyfree.org.au, empowering us to make informed choices and drive the shift towards ethical practices in the beauty industry.

The magnitude of the issue may seem daunting, but each of us has the potential to effect change. Consider this: if every consumer, just once a year, replaced one of their daily cosmetics with an animal/environmentally friendly alternative, the collective effect could be transformative. This simple action could pave the way for a more ethical and sustainable beauty industry, offering hope for a brighter future.

Biodroga, the German skincare line I represent and import into Australia, only tests its products on humans, and I can vouch for that. Furthermore, we have recently committed even further to the environment by becoming a clean beauty brand.

This means we do not use any ingredient that is not biodegradable. “Forever ingredients” such as PEGs, microplastics and silicones that do not break down are still used in more than 95% of skincare because even though they are devastating for the environment, they pose very little risk to the skin. Think about that; it’s not just the bunnies we must worry about. Our skincare is having devastating effects on our vulnerable environment

Companies making changes to embrace sustainability should encourage others to follow suit. However, the pace of this change needs to be faster. Educating clients about the need for sustainable and kind practices and taking action to make the change today is essential.

It is not enough to “think” your brand is doing the right thing. It is crucial to verify whether their practices align with your beliefs and then take the necessary steps to ensure you are the change you need to be.

Will Fennell. x

Will is an international trainer for Biodroga www.biodroga.com.au @biodroga.truebeauty @willandeta