What does it mean to be cruelty free?

You've probably heard the term "cruelty free" before. Maybe you've seen it on product labels or online, and thought it was just another way to label yourself as a good person. Well, as it turns out... no! Being cruelty free is actually pretty important for lots of reasons. In this blog post we'll explain what being cruelty free means and why you should care about it too!

Animal testing is cruel and unnecessary

It's cruel because animals feel pain just like we do, but they can't tell us how they feel. They don't have the words. So when researchers put chemicals into their eyes or force them to inhale toxic fumes, it's like being burned by fire or strangled without anyone knowing how much agony you're in. That’s why PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) calls animal testing "the only way to hurt animals legally."

Besides being cruel to animals, animal testing does not predict how products will affect humans because biology differs from species to species - just think about how different people are! We look different, act differently and our bodies process things in different ways as well. For example: rats can have cancerous tumours removed while mice can't - so what happens when a product that works on rats is tested on mice? There's no way to know whether it would work on humans before putting it on shelves! It also takes years and millions of dollars for each round of animal tests... so why waste all that money instead of finding effective alternatives?

But, it's not just about the animals - it's about us, too.

Our natural resources are limited; our planet is changing; and we want to live in a world where we can breathe easy knowing that our choices are healthy for everyone.

That's why we created Sassy Organics - vegan & cruelty free store. We believe that by doing good for the environment, we do good for ourselves. Products sold at Sassy Organics are made with only ingredients sourced from sustainable and cruelty free suppliers, so you know that you're making the right choice every time you shop with us.

Most companies that test on animals don't have to

Animal testing is used to test products and ingredients. Testing on animals is often done to show that a product or ingredient won't harm a person if they use it, so companies can prove that their product is safe.

For example, if you wanted to develop a new sunscreen lotion, you would need to show that it doesn't cause skin cancer in humans. In order to test this theory out, you'd have to get some people (such as yourself) and apply the lotion all over their bodies and then see if there's any difference in health between them and other people who didn't use it.

This type of testing can be done on animals as well - so instead of using humans for your experiment, you could test on dogs or monkeys instead! But these tests are very expensive - and using real human beings would be much better because they're much closer genetically than an animal ever could be.

You can learn more by reading our previous post on animal testing

Cruelty free companies have more stringent quality control

If a brand is cruelty free, it means that they don't test their products on animals and that they don't use ingredients tested on animals. This means that they have a higher degree of quality control than brands who do test and/or use animal products in the manufacturing process – cruelty free companies can afford to put more effort into making sure their final product is safe.

Because these brands are committed to being ethical and environmentally friendly, they use only the highest quality ingredients. They do this because they don't want to compromise on their values - and because they know you'll be able to tell the difference in your skin.

Most animal tests do not make humans safer

It's important to note that animal testing does not make humans safer. In fact, it has been proven time and time again that animals do not react to chemicals and other substances in the same way as humans do. For example:

Animals are often subjected to painful tests on their eyes, skin and more - tests which are unnecessary for human safety assessment. So if you're wondering whether a product is cruelty free because it doesn't contain ingredients from animals or their byproducts (like lanolin), that may not be enough information to determine if the product was tested on animals or not; some products might be using synthetic versions of these materials instead.

The Leaping Bunny symbol is the best indicator of a cruelty free product

The Leaping Bunny symbol is the best indicator of a cruelty free product. The Leaping Bunny program is the most widely recognised certification in the world for cruelty free personal care and household products. The Leaping Bunny Program is a cruelty free certification program that guarantees that no new animal testing takes place.

You can use the Leaping Bunny logo to determine whether or not a brand is cruelty free. The Leaping Bunny logo certifies that the brand's products are not tested on animals, nor do they contain any animal ingredients.

To qualify for this certification, companies must agree to: never test on animals; not commission others to test on animals; have third party audits take place every year; and not sell in countries where animal testing is required by law.

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) cruelty free certification is another way to make sure that your cosmetic products are vegan and safe for you and animals.

PETA cruelty free certification means that the company does not test their products on animals, does not purchase any animal byproducts and does not use animal ingredients in their formulas.

This means that the company is not testing on animals at any point in the production process, including all suppliers and contractors who work with PETA certified companies.

The PETA cruelty free certification also makes sure that all animal derived ingredients are replaced with plant based alternatives.

When you're shopping for cruelty free makeup and skincare products, you want to know that what you're buying is actually good for the environment and animals. PETA's cruelty free certification is a great way to get the assurance you need.

To display the PETA cruelty free logo, companies must apply by submitting a questionnaire along with a fee and a signed statement that their products or ingredients do not test on animals, nor will they do so in the future. 

Many brands that aren't cruelty free claim to be cruelty free without the leaping bunny symbol

If you're looking for a product that's cruelty free, the best way to identify it is to check if it has the leaping bunny symbol. The leaping bunny is an internationally recognised mark that means that a brand does not test on animals and has internal policies in place to ensure this is true.

There are, however, brands who claim they're "cruelty free" or "against animal testing" but don't have their own certification yet. This can be confusing - how do we know which ones are actually cruelty free?

A product doesn't need to be certified by the Leaping Bunny program to be considered vegan or cruelty free; however, as a consumer you need to do your research and verify of the brand that you like is testing their products on animals.

At Sassy Organics, we do this research for you. We're a cruelty free shop that sells products from small (and larger) businesses and individuals who care about the environment and animals.

We know that shopping can be overwhelming, and we want to help you find the best products for your lifestyle and budget. That's why we only represent companies that share our values: companies that don’t test on animals and don't support animal testing and companies with high environmental standards.

Our cruelty free shop is the place to find all of our products that have not been tested by a third party to ensure that no animals were harmed during the testing process.

Using cruelty free products is one way to help stop animal testing

A cruelty free product is not tested on animals. This means that, in addition to the company itself not testing their products on animals, they also do not sell their products in countries that require animal testing and they do not sell their products in countries that do not require animal testing.

Although this may seem like a lot of work for one company to go through, it can be beneficial for consumers at large because we can avoid certain ingredients that are commonly used in beauty products (such as bismuth oxychloride) and instead use ones that are more natural or sustainable.

I've been a big fan of cruelty free brands for a long time, but I've always had a hard time finding good ones. I'm always looking for new brands that make natural, vegan, and cruelty free products that are both affordable and effective.

The issue is that many of the best cruelty free brands are overpriced. I decided to start my own cruelty free shop to share some of my favourite cruelty free products with everyone else who has been having trouble finding them!

If you are unsure where to start when it comes to cruelty free products, we recommend starting with these categories -  skin care, hair and makeup. You can learn more below!

Cruelty free cosmetics

Although the definition of cruelty free refers to no animal testing, many consumers also view the term as relating to products that do not contain any ingredients derived from animals. More accurately, this would be considered a vegan product. Vegan and cruelty free are separate, as it is possible for a product to be vegan in that it does not contain animal derived ingredients, but the end product may be tested on animals. Choosing a vegan product which has the cruelty free logo ensures no animal by products or animal testing.

Typical animal by products used in non cruelty free skin care products include collagen, with non vegan sources derived from animal tissues and bone, lanolin derived from sheep’s wool, squalene from shark liver oil and beeswax. While toothpaste, deodorants and perfumes typically do not contain animal products (although some do), animal testing on the end product is still common.

If you're looking for a cruelty free toothpaste, look no further. We have a large range of natural toothpastes, that are both - vegan and cruelty free.

If you're worried about the effects of harmful chemicals on your skin, then check out our cruelty free sunscreen. These sunscreens are not only vegan and cruelty free - they protect your skin from harmful UV rays while being gentle on your body.

Cruelty free hair products

Along with sourcing vegan skin care, cruelty free hair products are just as important. Keratin is the protein that makes up hair fibres and is one of the most common animal by products used in non cruelty free hair products. Non vegan keratin is sourced from the horns and hair of animals. Keratin is usually found in strengthening products, so to ensure a cruelty free shampoo, look for vegan sources such as soy or almond oil instead. For a cruelty free hair spray, avoid products containing shellac as this is often used as a hardening ingredient for both the hair and nails. Cruelty free nail polish should not contain shellac. Stearic acid is another common ingredient in hair products with non cruelty free animal sources coming from the stomach of pigs, cows and sheep.

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Cruelty free makeup brands

Beeswax is a common ingredient used in makeup, in particular lip products, and is one to avoid if you are looking for a cruelty free lipstick. Carmine is one you may not have heard of, but it is derived from crushed up beetles, therefore it is not vegan and cruelty free. Carmine is used for its red pigment, and as such is used widely in make up and nail products. Cruelty free nail polish Australia should be carmine free. As a cruelty free online store, we stock only vegan and cruelty free make up brands so that you can be a conscious shopper. We pride ourselves on delivering high quality cruelty free skin care and make up brands that tick all the boxes. By consciously making a decision not to stock products that have either been tested on animals or contain animal products we are seeing a positive change within the industry. For example, our beautiful supplier Zuii Organic is undergoing changes to their formulations and coming up with more vegan makeup options. While they have always been certified cruelty free, some of their products did contain beeswax and carmine. They now have beautiful vegan red lipsticks that are free from animals products and completely cruelty free.

Vanessa Megan has created 100% natural and cruelty free perfume, which not only smell amazing but has a positive effect on your well being. Many other brands are doing the same - constantly evolving and introducing more vegan options in their range.

Final thoughts

We hope that we've helped you understand what it means to be cruelty free and why it's so important. If you want to learn more about cruelty free products, sign up for our newsletter below!

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