Is Avene Cruelty-Free And Vegan?
Avene is a popular skincare brand known for its best-selling Thermal Spring Water facial spray. While Avene products may soothe and moisturize dry skin, many consumers also wish to purchase products from companies that align with their vegan and cruelty-free values. Is Avene cruelty free and vegan?
No, Avene is not cruelty free and vegan. While they don’t test their products on animals themselves, they sell them in mainland China where animal testing is still required for most cosmetic products. Also, some of their products contain animal-derived ingredients.
Continue reading to learn more about Avene’s cruelty-free and vegan status and some potential alternatives to a few of Avene’s best-selling skincare products.
This post contains affiliate links, and any purchases made through these links will result in a commission for me at no extra cost to you. Please read my Disclosure for additional information.
Is Avene Cruelty-Free?
Avene doesn’t test their products (or the ingredients in their products) on animals where it’s not required by law. Their website states that they comply with Europe’s regulations that prohibit testing cosmetics on animals.
They also state that they are pursuing alternative methods to animal testing, such as testing their products on cultured human cells and willing human volunteers in test groups.
While this is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, Avene still sells its products in mainland China where animal testing is still required for many cosmetics. In 2021, China changed its regulations so that a few select cosmetics are no longer required to be tested on animals. However, many skincare products are still required to undergo animal testing.
Because Avene sells its skincare products in mainland China, they have to pay the Chinese government to test their products on animals. This means they are not truly cruelty-free, as cruelty-free companies choose not to sell their products in countries where they must first be tested on animals.
Avene may also purchase ingredients from suppliers who test their products on animals. Since Avene doesn’t personally do the testing, they claim their products are cruelty-free, but they don’t regulate their suppliers’ animal testing.
Is Avene Owned By A Parent Company? Does The Parent Company Test On Animals?
Avene is owned by a parent company called Pierre Fabre Laboratories. Much like Avene, Pierre Fabre Laboratories claims that they don’t test any of their products or ingredients on animals.
However, they still sell their products in mainland China, so their products in China are tested on animals before being placed on store shelves. To be cruelty-free, a company should refuse to sell its products where animal testing is required by law.
Unfortunately, both Avene and Pierre Fabre Laboratories test their items on animals when required by law.
Is Avene Certified Cruelty-Free?
Because Avene sells its products in mainland China, they are not certified cruelty-free by PETA. In fact, they are also listed on PETA’s list of companies who test their products on animals.
Avene also isn’t Leaping Bunny certified. To be Leaping Bunny Certified, a company must not test any of its products or ingredients on animals, receive ingredients from suppliers who use animals for testing or sell products to countries where animal testing is required by law.
Is Avene Vegan?
Avene is not completely vegan. While many of their products are free from animal-derived ingredients, a few of them may contain lanolin or beeswax, two common skincare ingredients.
Avene claims on its website that animal products are avoided whenever possible (including their Thermal Spring Water facial spray) but that not all of its products are vegan.
In addition, Avene isn’t cruelty-free. To be truly vegan, a company shouldn’t test any of their products on animals or pay for it to be performed in countries where it’s required by law.
If you’re searching for vegan skincare products, Avene has a few to offer. However, Avene isn’t a vegan brand overall, so consumers who will only support 100% vegan companies will need to find another option.
Do Avene Products Contain Animal-Derived Ingredients?
Not all of Avene’s products contain animal-derived ingredients. In fact, Avene Thermal Spring Water facial spray is free from animal-derived ingredients. However, they do produce some skin care products using lanolin and beeswax.
Cruelty-Free Alternatives To Avene
Avene products are a favorite of those with a sensitive skin type, as their products are gentle and soothing on irritated skin. If you’re looking for vegan and cruelty-free alternatives to Avene products, you’re in luck. There are many cruelty free, completely vegan companies that sell high-quality and effective skincare products.
Heritage Store is a vegan, Leaping Bunny Certified company with great alternatives to Avene skin care products. They have a full line of products to keep your skin feeling replenished and healthy. And they’re affordable, too!
Instead of Avene’s Thermal Spring Water, try Heritage Store’s Rosewater Refreshing Facial Mist:
- This facial spray is completely vegan.
- It’s Leaping Bunny Certified.
- It has simple ingredients: Damask roses and vortexed and magnetized water.
Instead of Avene’s Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream, try Heritage Store’s Rosewater Moisturizer Soothing Gel Cream:
- This moisturizing cream is completely vegan.
- It’s Leaping Bunny Certified.
- It has the same simple ingredients as the Rosewater Refreshing Facial Mist, plus niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to moisturize and repair skin.
Heritage Store is one of many vegan, cruelty-free skincare options. Here are some other readily-available cruelty-free brands that offer effective skincare products:
- DERMA-E
- Youth to the People
- Pai Skincare
- Bybi
- True Botanicals
- Summer Fridays
- Versed
- Skyn ICELAND
Of course, whenever you’re looking for cruelty free skincare or makeup products, it’s important to read the ingredient label. Many companies include animal by-products like beeswax in their skin care items. Reading the whole ingredient label is the safest way to make sure you’re purchasing truly vegan products.
You should also research companies before purchasing their items. Many companies, like Avene, claim that they don’t test their products on animals, but they still sell their items in mainland China. Truly cruelty-free companies refuse to sell their products where animal testing is required by law.
Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly skin care brands or only want the best high-end skincare products, these vegan skincare brands have what you’re looking for. You’ll feel good knowing you’re supporting ethical, vegan, and cruelty-free brands.
Related Posts:
- Is Cetaphil Cruelty-Free And Vegan?
- Is CeraVe Cruelty-Free And Vegan?
- Is Biore Cruelty-Free And Vegan?
- Is La-Roche Posay Cruelty-Free and Vegan?
Final Thoughts: Is Avene Cruelty-Free And Vegan?
Unfortunately, Avene is not cruelty-free and vegan. However, there are many vegan, cruelty-free alternatives to Avene products on the market that target sensitive skin and dry skin types. These products are available at a range of price points to fit any budget.
Just be sure to check ingredient labels and research companies thoroughly before you purchase to ensure you’re getting a completely cruelty-free and vegan product.
Thanks for reading!
Read Next: Best Cruelty-Free Moisturizers
