Is Bioderma Cruelty-Free And Vegan?
If you are pursuing a cruelty-free and vegan lifestyle, it’s important to support companies that share the same code of ethics. This is especially true in the world of cosmetics, as many makeup and skincare products are tested on animals before hitting the market.
Thankfully, companies are beginning to shift towards becoming cruelty-free and vegan. Bioderma is a French skincare brand that offers a wide range of popular products, from makeup removers to facial creams. But is Bioderma cruelty-free and vegan?
Bioderma is not cruelty-free because they market their products in China, where cosmetics must be tested on animals to prove their safety. They are also not a vegan company, as they use ingredients derived from animals in many of their products.
Keep reading to learn more about why Bioderma can’t be considered cruelty-free or vegan. We’ll also offer some great alternatives to popular Bioderma products.
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Is Bioderma Cruelty-Free?
Bioderma is one of the few skincare companies that doesn’t falsely claim to be cruelty-free. In fact, on their website, they even note that they can’t be considered cruelty-free.
Bioderma sells their products in mainland China. Before cosmetics in China can be delivered to retailers, they must first be tested on animals. The Chinese government claims this is to prove the safety of the products, even though numerous other effective testing practices have been developed.
Though Bioderma claims to disagree with China’s animal testing regulations, they continue to sell their items there. They can’t be considered truly cruelty-free until they stop selling in China.
Is Bioderma Owned By A Parent Company That Tests On Animals?
Like many cosmetic companies, Bioderma is owned by a larger corporation. Their parent company is NAOS, a French company founded by a pharmacist-biologist over 40 years ago.
In addition to Biotherm, NAOS owns Institut Esthederm and Etat Pur. All three of the companies owned by NAOS are sold on store shelves in China.
This means that NAOS tests their products on animals since they pay the Chinese government to be on the market in China.
Is Bioderma Certified Cruelty-Free?
Neither PETA nor Leaping Bunny have certified Bioderma as being cruelty-free. Here are some stipulations a company must meet to be allowed to place the Leaping Bunny logo on their product labels:
- They can’t test products or individual ingredients on animals at any stage of production.
- They can’t buy any ingredients from suppliers who have tested their products on animals at any point.
- They have to track their suppliers to make sure they aren’t conducting animal testing.
- They can’t sell their products anywhere animal testing is legally required, like in mainland China.
Of course, Bioderma is offered for sale in China. This doesn’t meet the Leaping Bunny criteria, so they aren’t able to use the Leaping Bunny logo on any of their products.
Bioderma is upfront about being a part of the market in China, and their honesty is refreshing. So many companies are vague or misleading about their animal testing procedures. However, until Bioderma stops selling in China, they won’t be able to be certified cruelty-free by any organization.
Is Bioderma Vegan?
Bioderma is not vegan. They are upfront about this on their website, where they discuss some of the non-vegan ingredients they use to make their skin care products. It’s good that Bioderma is honest about not being vegan, but they still use animal-derived ingredients in many of their products.
Do Bioderma Products Contain Animal-Derived Ingredients?
Bioderma admits to using animal-derived ingredients in their products. Propolis, royal jelly, and marine plankton are some of the ingredients that Bioderma uses to create their skincare creams, treatments, and cleansers.
Is Bioderma Sold In China?
Bioderma sells their products in mainland China. This is an issue for vegan consumers as cosmetics must be tested on animals before being sold in China.
As recently as 2021, China has altered its animal testing laws so that some cosmetics may not need to undergo animal testing. However, the system is complicated, and most skincare products are still tested on animals. It’s impossible for Bioderma to guarantee that their products aren’t tested on animals in China.
Cruelty-Free Alternatives To Bioderma
If you love how well Bioderma products work but only wish to support ethical and vegan companies, there are many great alternatives. Here are some 100% cruelty-free and vegan companies that don’t sell their skincare products in China:
- Nuria Beauty
- Acure
- Cocokind
- e.l.f.
- Derma E
- Youth To The People
If you’re looking for alternatives to specific Bioderma products, we’ve got you covered. Here are two of Bioderma’s most popular products and their cruelty-free alternatives.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water is touted for its ability to soothe and clean skin and remove makeup (including eye makeup) and other impurities without needing to be rinsed off afterward. However, besides not being cruelty-free, Bioderma micellar water doesn’t include any moisturizing or nourishing skincare ingredients.
Instead, try Acure Brightening Micellar Water. It is formulated with probiotics, argan oil, coconut, and resveratrol and works as a cleanser, makeup remover, and moisturizing toner. It will gently cleanse your face, and it won’t dehydrate your skin like some cleansers.
Bioderma Atoderm Cleansing Oil
Bioderma Atoderm Cleansing Oil is gentle enough for any skin type, even babies and those with sensitive skin. In addition to not being cruelty-free, it contains glycerin. While Bioderma doesn’t clarify if they derive their glycerin from animals or plants, we know that they use other animal-derived ingredients in other formulas, so there’s a good chance their glycerin comes from animals.
For a cruelty-free and vegan alternative, consider Cocokind Oil to Milk Cleanser. Described as an oil cleanser you can actually wash off, the cleanser transforms from an oil to milk when you add water. It’s made with an organic oil blend that includes organic sunflower seed oil and organic grape seed oil, plus oat kernel extract (colloidal oatmeal) to soothe dry skin and support a healthy skin barrier.
Final Thoughts: Is Bioderma Cruelty-Free And Vegan?
Don’t be afraid to try out skincare products from a cruelty-free and vegan skincare brand. As more brands shift to becoming cruelty-free and vegan, there are plenty of budget-friendly skincare options that are just as good, if not better than, their non-cruelty-free counterparts.
You’ll feel good supporting a company working to make a difference in the beauty industry. And your skin will thank you, too!
