How Does SkinSort Determine Whether a Brand is Cruelty-Free?

Choosing cruelty-free products is important to many people, and we want to make it easier for you to make informed decisions. At SkinSort, we strive to provide accurate and inclusive information about a brand's cruelty-free status.

What Does "Cruelty-Free" Mean on SkinSort?

In general, "cruelty-free" means that a brand does not test its finished products or ingredients on animals.

At SkinSort, we may mark a brand as cruelty-free if:

• The brand holds a recognized third-party cruelty-free certification, or
• The brand publicly states that it does not test on animals.

Third-Party Certifications

Third-party certifications provide independent verification of a brand's animal testing policies and practices.

Brands with recognized cruelty-free certifications are marked as cruelty-free on SkinSort.

Why Are Some Brands Marked as Cruelty-Free Without Certification?

Not all cruelty-free brands pursue third-party certification. Certification programs may not be equally accessible worldwide, and some brands may choose not to participate due to cost, availability, or other business considerations.

SkinSort includes brands from many different countries and regions. Restricting cruelty-free status only to certified brands could exclude brands from areas where certification programs are less common or more difficult to obtain.

For this reason, SkinSort may also classify a brand as cruelty-free when the brand publicly states that it does not conduct animal testing, even if it does not hold a third-party certification.

If you would like additional details about a brand's policies or practices, we encourage you to contact the brand directly.

What About Brands Sold in China?

Historically, certain products sold in mainland China were subject to animal testing requirements.

However, regulations in China have evolved in recent years, and many brands can now sell products in mainland China without mandatory animal testing.

Thus, a brand's presence in China alone does not automatically determine whether it is considered cruelty-free on SkinSort. Instead, we evaluate a brand's overall publicly available cruelty-free information, including certifications and official statements.

Limitations and Ongoing Updates

Cruelty-free policies can change over time. Brands may update their animal testing policies, enter new markets, change ownership, or obtain or lose certifications.

Our team regularly reviews and updates brand information as new information becomes available.

Found Incorrect Information?

If you believe a brand's cruelty-free status on SkinSort is incorrect, please contact our support team at [email protected] so we can review it.

If possible, include supporting sources, official statements, or certification information to help us investigate more quickly.