MDX Redbeat

5 Ways to Make the Switch to Cruelty-free Products

From the moment you wake up, to the moment you step out from your house, you are bound to use several products to get yourself ready for the day. These products can range anywhere from basic items such as toothpaste and soap to makeup and skincare. Most companies test their products on animals to guarantee that it is safe for human consumption, which harms innocent animals in the process. With people becoming more aware of these harmful practices, the cruelty-free industry has stepped forward in providing alternatives to live a more conscious and compassionate life.

We spoke with Emirati beauty blogger and content creator Sara Al Yassi (@saratalksbeauty), who photographs and reviews only cruelty-free products on her Instagram. When asked about why she only promotes cruelty-free products, Sara says that: “Animal cruelty has to stop in this world, there isn’t any clarification of why animals should be treated cruelly for the sake of humans”. While shopping for cruelty-free products may seem like a daunting task to some, Sara has provided us with some tips to make your next shopping trip easier:

Look for the cruelty-free label

Make sure that the product carries the cruelty-free logo, which is usually the Leaping Bunny and PETA’s pink cruelty-free rabbit. Some other certifications that confirm that the brand is 100% cruelty-free are PETA’s “Beauty without Bunnies” program and Choose Cruelty-Free’s “Not tested on animals” program.

Be wary of new ingredients.

Companies are always on the move to discover innovative ways to maintain the interest of customers. Most of these “new and improved” ingredients are not approved to be safe and the law requires them to be tested before it can be sold. If there are any claims by the product of using any “new” ingredients, make sure you research these ingredients before making a purchase.

Take it slow and have fun exploring!

Although the idea of switching over to a cruelty-free lifestyle may seem overwhelming, you would be amazed to know how many cruelty-free products are actually out there in the market. By quitting the use of non-cruelty free products, you would not be missing out on much, because you can alternatively invest in better quality cruelty-free products.

Read through the fluff.

Steer clear of products that use pretty packages and fluff marketing tactics to claim that their products are cruelty-free. A lot of companies say that they are “cruelty-free” but do not actually provide any trusted certification to back their claim. The key is to never blindly trust labels and keep your guard up!

Knowledge is power – do your research!

Lastly, to sum it up in one word- research! It is essential to have knowledge about what to look out for and brands that have already been certified cruelty-free. A quick google search can provide you with an extensive list of companies that experiment on animals and ingredients that are required by the law to be tested before selling the product.