Walking into the beauty aisle can be overwhelming. Between hundreds of brands and so many buzzwords, it’s hard to know exactly what you’re looking for.

If your goal is to find makeup, skin care, or haircare products that have not been tested on animals and are 100% cruelty-free, then Eucerin may seem like a good choice. But let’s take some time to answer one fundamental question: Is Eucerin really cruelty-free?

In today’s blog post, I will provide all of the details that you need in order to make an informed decision about whether or not Eucerin meets your ethical standards. Keep reading to learn more!

The Horrors of Animal Testing and the Cosmetics Industry

Firs, why should we care about whether or not beauty products are tested on animals?

Animal testing has been around since the late 19th century, with its origins stemming from medical research. In the beauty industry, animal testing has been used for decades to test for things like irritation, toxicity, and efficacy.

Animals used for these tests are typically exposed to toxic chemicals, detergents, dyes, and other harsh substances that can cause burns, lesions, infections, internal organ damage, blindness—the list goes on.

The fact is, animal testing can cause an immense amount of suffering on behalf of animals who have little to no say in the matter.

Aside from the obvious ethical considerations associated with animal testing in cosmetics manufacturing, there is also the potential risk it poses to human health. Animals and humans have different skin structures and react differently to certain ingredients; what may work safely on one species may not necessarily be safe on another species.

What Do We Mean By Cruelty-Free Cosmetic Products?

Put simply, cruelty-free means that a product or its ingredients have not been tested on animals during any part of the production process. This includes testing products for safety, efficacy, and compliance with regulations.

Companies may test their own products for safety without involving animals—for example, through in vitro tests that use cell cultures—but if any animal testing is involved at any stage of production or formulation, then the product cannot be considered cruelty-free.

Cruelty-Free Certification

The Leaping Bunny Program is one of the most widely recognized certifications for cruelty-free cosmetics.

To qualify for Leaping Bunny certification, companies must pledge to never test their products on animals and they must also require all suppliers to adhere to this policy. The program also requires companies to conduct regular audits of their supply chain to ensure compliance.

Another well known certification is PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program – this certification requires companies to sign an agreement stating they will never engage in animal testing and they must provide documentation verifying that none of their suppliers engage in animal testing either.

Is Eucerin Cruelty-Free?

Unfortunately, no. Eucerin has admitted that they test on animals when required by law – this means the company’s cruelty-free policy isn’t actually cruelty-free.

Eucerin products are sold in mainland China, a country that requires animal testing for certain beauty products. Therefore, even though the company may claim to be cruelty-free, it does not matter since just one instance of animal testing disqualifies them from being truly cruelty-free.

In conclusion, while the company may offer high quality skincare routine products, it is not cruelty-free brand and should not be considered as such.

Does Eucerin’s Parent Company Test on Animals?

Yes. The parent company Beiersdorf owns the Eucerin skincare company, which does test on animals when required by law.

The company has stated that they do not support animal testing in any form and have implemented a policy to minimize the number of tests conducted on animals – but ultimately, their main priority is ensuring consumer safety and complying with regulations, which may involve animal testing in certain countries.

For this reason, Beiersdorf and its subsidiaries such as Eucerin cannot be considered cruelty-free.

Is Eucerin Sold in China?

Yes, Eucerin is sold in mainland China. As mentioned previously, this means that the company must submit their products for animal testing in order to be allowed on store shelves in the country.

“German consumer goods major Beiersdorf is gearing up to expand its business in [mainland] China through Nivea and Eucerin, which it believes have the potential to have as much success as its luxury brand La Prairie.”

From cosmeticsdesign-asia.com

For Eucerin and its parent company Beiersdord, the bottom line is more important than animal safety.

Are Eucerin’s Ingredients Ethically Sourced?

Yes, Eucerin’s magic ingredient, palm oil, is ethically sourced.

The company has made a commitment to using only 100% sustainably certified palm kernel oil and its derivatives, based on the mass-balance model as defined by the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil). This means that they have taken steps to ensure that their palm oil is sourced responsibly, without putting natural habitats at risk.

Eucerin’s dedication to responsibly sourcing palm oil is indicative of their commitment to sustainability manufacturing practices, even if the ethics are questionable at best. Their work in this area demonstrates not only their respect for the environment, but also their commitment to providing quality skincare products that are free from any potentially harmful ingredients.

Is Eucerin Sustainable and Eco-Friendly?

Eucerin is making strides in sustainability practices. The company is continuously innovating to reduce their environmental footprint, with sustainable procurement being a key focus.

They have also implemented an extensive Code of Conduct for all suppliers that outlines social and ecological standards to be met on product quality and transparent, fair and responsible business practices.

In addition to this, Eucerin has committed to drastically reduce the amount of virgin plastic used in their packaging by 2025. They are doing this through reducing packaging weight and using recycled materials whenever possible. They will also save over 200 tons of paper each year compared to 2019, reducing the consumption of wood, water, and energy needed for paper production.

Finally, the majority of Eucerin’s packaging is designed to be recyclable, reusable or refillable in order to support a circular economy by 2025.

Unfortunately, Eucerin can hardly be called eco-friendly when its products are animal tested. Plant-friendly maybe, but animals are just as important to our environment.

Is Eucerin Vegan?

While it may be difficult to call Eucerin vegan due to its animal testing policy, the fact remains that Eucerin products do not contain animal derived ingredients. The products are a mixture of synthetic compounds (harmless ones) and organic compounds derived from plants.

So, in essence, Eucerin IS vegan.

Should You Buy Eucerin Products?

Ultimately, the decision whether or not to buy Eucerin cosmetic products depends on how comfortable you are with the company’s animal testing policies. If you look past this then Eucerin is a good choice for quality skincare due to its ethical sourcing of ingredients and dedication to sustainability. If you do decide to purchase Eucerin, just make sure that you’re buying from an authorized retailer in order to guarantee the product’s authenticity and quality.

I wouldn’t recommend it though since supporting companies that conduct animal testing just gives the O.K. on these bad policies. And you better believe that other companies would be encouraged to do the same.

If animal safety is your priority, which I hope that it is, then you should look elsewhere. There are some wonderful beauty companies that 100% commit to cruelty-free products and embrace cruelty-free alternatives. There’s nothing quite like a guilt-free shopping experience.

Despite my condemnations, I will say that they are certainly making an effort to do better. They are constantly innovating and improving their sustainability practices so that we can all enjoy premium skincare products without compromising safety. Ultimately, it’s up to you as a consumer to decide if Eucerin is right for you.

Wrap Up

Eucerin is a good choice for quality skincare products, with an emphasis on sustainable procurement practices and reducing their environmental footprint. However, they are still conducting animal testing.

At the end of the day, I think it’s important that we all strive to make responsible buying decisions by researching companies and only buying from those that align with our values. That way, we can make sure that we are supporting ethical, sustainable businesses and helping to make the world a better place.

Until next time! Stay safe!