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Is Clinique Cruelty-Free?
Clinique is NOT cruelty-free.
Is Clinique Vegan?
Clinique might have some products without animal-derived ingredients, but I don’t consider any of their products vegan since they test on animals.
Is Clinique PETA Certified?
No, Clinique is not PETA certified, and PETA lists Clinique as a company that tests on animals.
Is Clinique Leaping Bunny Certified?
No, Clinique is not Leaping Bunny certified.
Is Clinique Owned By A Parent Company That Tests On Animals?
Yes, Clinique is owned by Estée Lauder, a company that tests on animals.
Clinique’s Animal Testing Policy
Clinique has the following paragraph on their FAQ page:
Estée Lauder’s Animal Testing Policy
Estée Lauder, Clinique’s parent company, has the following information on its website:
“Cruelty-free” has no legal definition. Any brand can claim “cruelty-free” even if they do test on animals.
Some brands like to say that they are “cruelty-free” because it is a marketing buzzword to sell more products.
The only way to find out is to ask the company. One important question to ask is if their products are sold in China.
Animal Testing in China
Animal testing is required by law in China for all foreign cosmetics companies. All American and European cosmetic brands that are sold in China must undergo animal testing.
Any brand that chooses to sell its products in China cannot be considered cruelty-free. Even products that can bypass mandatory tests may still be pulled from the shelves by Chinese authorities to be tested on animals.
This does NOT include products that are made in China, only if they are sold in China.
The only way to know if a brand sells products in China is to ask them directly. Make sure to note that Hong Kong is not included in this policy, and neither are products only sold online to Chinese consumers.
Is Clinique Sold in Mainland China?
Yes, Clinique products are sold in mainland China.
Here is a screenshot from their Chinese website:
Here is a screenshot from Clinique’s store locator showing the stores in China where Clinique products are sold:
Vegan and Cruelty-Free Alternatives to Clinique
Biossance
Biossance is a cruelty-free and vegan mid-range skincare brand that believes in pioneering sustainable beauty through biotechnology.
Bubble
Bubble is a cruelty-free and vegan brand that created the first modern, affordable, science-backed skincare formulated to clean, balance, and hydrate teenage skin.
Fenty Skin
Fenty Skin is a cruelty-free and vegan brand that was created by Rihanna, and the products are designed to complement Fenty Beauty makeup. Rihanna brings together ingredients from around the world and pairs them with skincare powerhouses, such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide—for clinically proven results.
Shop the full list of 100% cruelty-free and vegan brands.
Email to the Company
Before classifying any brand as cruelty-free and vegan, I send them an email with the following questions:
- Are your products vegan? If only some are vegan, which ones?
- Are any of your products or ingredients tested on animals?
- Do you have a Leaping Bunny or PETA certification?
- Do your suppliers or any third parties test animals on your behalf?
- Does your company sell products in mainland China (except Hong Kong)?
- Are you owned by a parent company that tests on animals?
Here is how Clinique responded:
Clinique has a strong belief that cosmetic animal testing is not necessary and should be eliminated worldwide. We do not test on animals and our company is helping to bring about change in countries where cosmetics animal testing is conducted on our products as required by law. Read more: https://estee.cm/2OPYeQt