It’s a little confusing when you look up MAC cosmetics website and they have a statement saying that MAC does not test on animals. However when you dig further you find that this is actually not the case. So let’s get at the truth and discover if MAC Cosmetics is truly cruelty free in 2020 or not?
Free Standard Shipping and Returns. with any purchase. Upgrade to 2nd Day Shipping for $5.00 or Overnight Shipping for $10.00. Standard Shipping is always complimentary on MAC Gift Cards. Answer (1 of 2): Are MAC cosmetics vegan and cruelty free? According to Google (you should have done this your self.) For a long time, one of the most well-known cruelty-free brands has been MAC Cosmetics. It was also a common rumor in the vegan community that all of their products are also veg. MAC Cosmetics is all about makeup artistry: turning everyday foundation, concealers, blushes, eye shadows, and more into tools for creating looks to express your own individual personality and creativity. A champion of diversity and a front-runner in trendsetting, MAC Cosmetics is a household name synonymous with fabulous quality. MAC Cosmetics selling in China was the catalyst for me to go cruelty-free in 2012 (see my handwritten letter to MAC). Many bloggers who went cruelty-free around the time I did, immediately stopped because they didn’t want to lose MAC as a PR contact. Ray, my husband, introduced me to MAC in 1999 and I fell in love with the brand and makeup.
Under ‘animal testing’ on the footer tab of MAC cosmetics menu you’ll come across this statement:
WORKING TOWARD A CRUELTY-FREE WORLD
M·A·C does not test on animals. We do not own any animal testing facilities and we never ask others to test on animals for us. While some governments conduct animal testing to prove safety before they will allow us to sell our products, M·A·C has never tested on animals and we continue to be a leader in the movement to end animal testing globally. To this end, we are proud to partner with IIVS (INSTITUTE FOR IN VITRO SCIENCES) to expand the use and acceptance of non-animal testing methods worldwide.
WHAT DOES CRUELTY-FREE MEAN?
According to the dictionary, cruelty-free is a cosmetic or other product developed without being tested on animals; pertaining to a product created without being tested on animals.
They’re a bit more to that definition when it comes to cosmetics. For a product or company to be considered cruelty-free it needs to meet the following criteria:
- Does not test their products or ingredients on animals
- Does not authorize third-parties to test their products or ingredients on animals
- Does not sell in a country where animal testing is required
When a company is declaring their cruelty-free status they are talking about their manufacturing process and materials in the present time.
BUT!! MAC Cosmetics is not certified Cruelty Free by Leaping Bunny, Peta or Cruelty Free International! And Mac is also sold in China.
Mac is owned by Estée Lauder, whose animal testing policy is not to test on animals unless required by law. But because MAC is sold in China, where animal testing is required, MAC isn’t a cruelty-free company. Boo!
From The MAC Cosmetic Website:
Which countries require animal testing?
China tests on animals as part of its safety assessment of cosmetic products. We love our fans and we never want to exclude them anywhere.
How does M·A·C test its products for safety and efficacy?
We use human volunteers and we conduct or commission in vitro testing.
Does M·A·C own any animal testing facilities?
No. We don’t own any animal testing facilities anywhere in the world.
***Remember that brands willingly sell their products in China even though they know their products will be tested on animals.
The statement “We love our fans and we never want to exclude them anywhere.” tells you that MAC Cosmetics values profits over animal welfare. Please don’t support brands like these that are tested on animals when there are so many wonderful Cruelty free alternatives.
CONCLUSION
Based on all the facts above, MAC Cosmetics is NOTCRUELTY FREE. Their products are sold in mainland China and can be subjected to animal testing required by law.
Please sign the petition to stop harmful animal testing globally! We can do this!
More Articles of Interest
Who has not heard of MAC Cosmetics?
Pretty sure everyone has heard of it. And why would they not? I personally have grown up watching my mother use MAC products. And that means that MAC has been here for a while.
Considering how widely popular it is, you would expect MAC to be more on the affordable side. Since it is not, and yet it has such a huge consumer base, tells you a lot about its quality.
But quality and popularity are not all that matters. What about MAC’s ethical stance? Is MAC cruelty-free and vegan in 2021? That is the important question.
Is it not time you found about it? so, keep reading!
Is MAC Cruelty-Free?
No. MAC Cosmetics is not a cruelty-free brand. It is because they chose to profit off markets that conduct animal testing. That means MAC allows its products to be tested on animals if it is required by the local law.
We all know what that means. It is difficult to call MAC Cosmetics cruelty-free. Because it allows its products to be tested on animals under certain circumstances. And we also know that it is not that hard to avoid animal testing as many brands are cruelty-free.
About MAC
MAC, an acronym for Make-Up Art Cosmetics, was founded in Toronto, Canada in 1984. The founders were Frank Angelo and Frank Toskan. There is a fun story behind MAC’s inception. Makeup artist Angelo and Toskan were both frustrated seeing how bad the makeup on models looked in pictures.
Mac Cosmetics Cruelty Free
The duo then literally created MAC Cosmetics products in their kitchens! Initially, the products were targeted towards professionals in the makeup industry. However, for years now, MAC Cosmetics has been available to consumers worldwide.
MAC Cosmetics mainly stole the show with its base products. But with time, it expanded its product lines and developed and improved existing ones. Within a decade, MAC had started a revolution in the beauty industry that we are still in awe of.
Currently, MAC Cosmetics is a brand recognized and loved globally. It is a giant in the global beauty network. Although founded in Canada, it now has its headquarters in New York, United States.
Is MAC Owned by a Parent Company?
Yes. MAC Cosmetics is owned by Estee Lauder Companies. Estee Lauder Companies gained rights to 51 percent of MAC’s shares in 1994. But it completed the acquisition in 1998.
Estee Lauder Companies is a great entity in the beauty industry as well. Besides MAC Cosmetics, it owns a lot of other brands, including Tom Ford, Smashbox, La Mer, Jo Malone London, etc.
Testing Policy: Does MAC Test on Animals?
MAC Cosmetics personally does not conduct any animal testing. However, they do allow third parties to conduct animal testing on their products. This is only applicable in the cases where the law of the local market requires so.
This means, that we cannot say MAC is not cruelty-free just because it claims not to test on animals. It is aware that at some places where it sells, animal testing is done on its products.
Does MAC Sell in China?
Yes! MAC Cosmetics sells in China. In fact, Mac Cosmetics is quite popular in Mainland China.
MAC says that it does not want to exclude any of its consumers, as you can say. But we cannot ignore that it is being done at the cost of innocent animals being harmed.
Is MAC Certified by PETA?
Is Mac Beauty Cruelty Free
No! MAC Cosmetics is not certified by PETA. Nor is it certified by Leaping Bunny or other organizations that believe in the same cause. Look up MAC on PETA’s website. You will see that PETA categorizes it as a brand that tests on animals.
In fact, PETA speaks up quite often about MAC’s business in China. It addresses MAC Cosmetics as a brand that is not cruelty-free at all.
Is MAC Vegan?
No. MAC Cosmetics is not 100 percent vegan. That means that most of its products contain ingredients derived from animals or animal by-products. Carmine and beeswax are two of the common ingredients found in most of its products.
This means that as a vegan, you ought to be careful while buying MAC products. Some of their vegan products are:
- MAC Pro Lash Mascara
- Brow Finisher (Certain Colors)
- Synthetic Makeup Brushes
- Brow Pencils (Certain Colors)
Is MAC Gluten-Free?
No. MAC Cosmetics is not gluten-free. The brand addresses the fact that regardless of a product not containing gluten, the products cannot be claimed to be gluten-free. This is because the manufacturing process may not always be in a gluten-free environment.
It is always wise to reach out to the brand to know more, if you are allergic!
Is MAC Paraben-Free?
Nope! MAC is not completely free of parabens! That means that many of its products contain parabens.
This is why I would suggest one to carefully check the label while making a purchase!
Is MAC Hypoallergenic?
No. The brand is not entirely hypoallergenic.
By that, I mean you will find some hypoallergenic products offered by MAC. But not all of their products are hypoallergenic.
Alternative Brands to MAC
I know that finding alternatives to MAC Cosmetics can seem difficult. But it is not impossible!
I have already found a few alternatives that you should definitely check out!
- RMS Beauty: This brand is an ethical alternative to MAC Cosmetics. It is cruelty-free as well as vegan. Moreover, its products are in the same price range as those of MAC! If you love organic makeup products, you would be a fan of this brand on the first try!
- Anastasia Beverly Hills: This brands’ products are amazing enough to give MAC Cosmetics a run for its money! ABH is an extremely popular brand for all the right reasons. Additionally, you will find great vegan options too in this brand.
Fact Check
Let us now do the final fact check!
MAC Cosmetics is:
- Not cruelty-free.
- It allows animal testing when the law requires it.
- MAC is owned by Estee Lauder Companies.
- This brand sells in China.
- Most of its products are not vegan.
- It is not completely free of parabens or gluten.
- Some of its products are hypoallergenic.
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed this article! It is really heartbreaking to find out that MAC is not cruelty-free. But as I keep saying, it is not very hard to find ethical options! You just need to be open to alternatives!
I am Farhin Raisa, looking forward to creating a community that supports ethical, cruelty-free, and vegan beauty. As I review and find brands that make this community a better one, I hope to aid your process of picking the best products for yourself!