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Is Herbal Essences Cruelty-Free?
Herbal Essences is NOT cruelty-free.
Is Herbal Essences Vegan?
Herbal Essences claims that they use vegetable-derived ingredients when they are available, but they also use animal-derived ingredients in their products.
I wouldn’t consider any of their products vegan since they test on animals.
Is Herbal Essences Owned By A Parent Company That Tests On Animals?
Yes, Herbal Essences is owned by Procter & Gamble, a company that tests on animals.
Is Herbal Essences Leaping Bunny Certified?
No, Herbal Essences is not Leaping Bunny certified.
Is Herbal Essences PETA Certified?
Yes, Herbal Essences is PETA certified.
This may look promising, but unfortunately, it is not since PETA claims that they allowed Herbal essences to be certified cruelty-free even though they sell their products in China.
“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.
Herbal Essences admits selling their products in China in the email that I sent to them.
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.
Is Herbal Essences Sold in Mainland China?
Yes, Herbal Essences is sold in mainland China.
Vegan and Cruelty-Free Alternatives to Herbal Essences
Dae Hair
Dae is a vegan and cruelty-free brand created by the famous blogger and Instagram mom, Amber Fillerup Clark. They create hair care products inspired by Amber’s home state of Arizona.
Olaplex
Olaplex creates vegan and cruelty-free hair products that are designed to restore damaged or compromised hair.
Shop the full list of 100% vegan and cruelty-free 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 Herbal Essences responded:
1. It is our policy to use synthetic or vegetable-derived ingredients where they are available.
If there is no alternative to using animal ingredients or if there is a shortage in synthetic or vegetable ingredients, we may have to use animal ingredients.
These may include Alcohol (fatty) Gelatin Glycerin Hydrolyzed Collagen Keratin Amino Acids Tallow Glycerides Thanks again for reaching out. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to get back in touch.
2/3. Herbal Essences does not test on animals and is endorsed as PETA cruelty-free
4. No.
5. Yes.
6. No.