Top 10 Products You Would Be Surprised To See On A Cruelty-Free List

May 20th, 2010 by vlowe · Lifestyle, Product Advice

So you want to be an environmentally conscious, animal loving, vegan shopper, right?  Well, you may be surprised at some of the items you will find on an animal testing list!  Here are our top 10:

1) Paints and Primers

You might not think about it, but they actually do test certain paint brands on animals.  Appalling, I know, but there isn’t as much attention brought to the worlds of Behr or Home Depot.  Cruelty-free paints are actually fairly difficult to find.   Most paints cannot be certified “Animal Cruelty-Free.” Paint shops do not require their suppliers to pledge to have cruelty-free paint, and without these restrictions in place, it is easy for paint testing to slip by unnoticed.

2) Tattoos

Some black ink tones used on humans is actually animal bone, burned down to charcoal.  On top of this, the “carrier solution” is often glycerin derived from animal fat.   Who would have thought, something as innocent as a symbolic Tattoo could support the suppression of animals?

3) Carpet Cleaners

Yes, it is true.  Even your floors can be related to the abhorrent animal testing practices. Many household cleaning products can contain harmful solvents, or give off toxic fumes.  Others contain actual animal products in their ingredients. Luckily, there are lots of cruelty-free (and eco-friendly) products available. Look for Biokleen, Earth Alive, or Nature Clean – they are all approved as free of animal testing. Biokleen happens to be coconut-based and is definitely approved on PETA’s cruelty-free product list.

4) Razors

Razors, one might say?  How can razors be environmentally friendly, or even vegan?   Yes, they have done it.  Instead of supporting Gillette, who openly test on animals, make the switch to cruelty free razors.  Hoke2, among other companies, has come out with a few different models of razors that are 100% cruelty free.

5) Make-up Brushes

Make-up brushes are made up of two different thistles: manmade synthetic hair, and real animal hair.  Even if some of the real hair make-up brushes claim to be cruelty-free, there is no definite way to make sure.  Manmade synthetic fibers can be just as smooth and coat just as evenly as real animal hair.  In many cases, synthetic haired brushes are even cheaper than real haired brushes.

6) Deodorant

In order to decrease our bad odor as humans, we decide to test out products on animals.  Imagine being force fed Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex – most people can’t even pronounce what animals go through for our “good hygiene”.  A few common products that are tested on animals include: Dove, Axe, Arm & Hammer, Old Spice and Secret (unfortunately the list goes on and on). Again, fortunately there are many effective (and healthier for you) alternatives.  Try more ethical deodorant products such as Alba, Almay, Avon, Bare Essentials or Nature’s Gate.

7) Dog Food

Yes, it is true.  Poor lonely dogs and cats are subjected to tiny cages while they are involved in the “testing” stages of the food.  These unfortunate animals are used experimentally for years to create what can be considered “acceptable dog food.”  Luckily, PETA has a list on their website of cruelty free pet foods.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is generally thought of as a soothing natural gel/leaf that can help ease burnt, or dried skin.  Ironically, many companies that make Aloe Vera lotion or gel test harsh chemicals on animals to create the notion that their product is organically good for the skin.  Definitely check the labels, read the ingredients and authenticate the universal bunny logo for cruelty-free products.

9) Candles

Ever heard of beeswax?  How could one expect to use an animal product, with out the repercussions of supporting animal cruelty to get to their final product?  The production of beeswax can lead to drug and pesticide treatments, wing clipping, and the use of manufactured pheromones.  Even if you aren’t using beeswax, but paraffin candles, they are not much better.  When paraffin is burned, it releases dangerous carcinogenic toxins into the environment!  These are not good for our furry friends, or us. Try switching over to a soy-based candle. They work just as well, smell fantastic and there production is cruelty-free to animals.

10) Candy

Did you ever think that eating a chocolate candy bar could contribute to animal testing?  When you grab a mars bar it could.  Mars is a very popular candy company that supports and conducts animal testing.  Candy or chocolate don’t scream out “CRUELTY,” but when you think about it, most “mainstream” candy bars aren’t made up of many natural ingredients.  Just in case a sugar craving hits, fear not friends – there are MANY fair trade, cruelty free, and vegan alternatives widely available (check out your neighborhood whole foods market).

In the future, if we all try to use more environmentally and animal friendly products, it’ll be one large step toward humane animal treatment.  It’s one way we can all make a BIG difference for very little effort.