Caring consumers: Finding cruelty-free products
Tips to find animal-friendly products, with and without PETA's help
Have you found a perfume or men’s cologne that you really want to purchase but you’re concerned about whether it’s a cruelty-free fragrance? Are you uncomfortable with the idea of having animal-tested fragrances on your nightstand or bathroom shelf? Good news! Some popular brands are cruelty-free, and Caring Consumer keeps track of these fragrances.
Find cruelty-free perfumes in popular brands like blk Cosmetics (courtesy of CEO Jacqe Gutierrez) and Clean Beauty (found at retailers such as Kohl’s).
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals also distributes a directory with companies that don’t test on animals (PDF here) and companies that do test on animals (PDF here).
ADVERTISEMENT ~ Amazon
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a percentage from purchases with my referral links. I know some consumers are choosing to boycott Amazon for its DEI removal. However, after thinking about this thoroughly, I want to continue promoting cool products from small businesses, women-owned businesses and (specifically) Black-owned businesses who still feature their items on Amazon. As of the first date of Black History Month 2025, each new post will ALWAYS include a MINIMUM of one product sold by a Black-owned business. (I have visited the seller’s official site to verify that Amazon Black-owned logo.) I am (slowly) doing this with older, popular posts too. If you still choose to boycott, I 100% respect that decision.
Keep in mind that well-known names may also blur the lines between cruelty-free and selling ingredients that may not be cruelty-free. For example, although Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works are under the same camp, Bath & Body Works claims to be “committed to eliminating animal testing worldwide.” However, not all of their inventory is free of “animal-derived materials.”
So what can shoppers do when they don’t want to feel like they’re finding Waldo with Carmen San Diego just to buy a fragrance? First, look for “vegan” on the actual product. If you don’t see it on the packaging, take these actions.