Cruelty free makeup is available through a wide variety of online and in-store retailers and cosmetics companies. For decades, cruelty-free makeup has been the rule, not the exception, so choosing the best cruelty free beauty products comes down to a matter of choice and any other special needs. “Special needs” refers to allergies, and some consumers prefer all natural, totally chemical-free cosmetics, while others can tolerate a combination of natural ingredients and “safe” chemicals.

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of cruelty free makeup and retailers across the globe that cater to vegans and vegetarians from all walks of life. Some are more popular than others. Just a few cruelty free makeup companies include: Beauty Without Cruelty, Almay, Bonnie Bell, Clarins, Avon, and Pangea Vegan Beauty Products. These cruelty-free companies have been around since the late 1800’s to mid-1900s.

The Oldest Cruelty Free Makeup Companies

Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) was founded in 1963 in England. The trustees of BWC Charitable Trust, an animal welfare organization, came together for a common goal – to manufacture and distribute natural, color cosmetics that were not tested on animals and products that did not contain any animal ingredients. Beauty Without Cruelty offers a full line of cruelty-free vegetarian, skin and body, and hair care products made from natural ingredients and organic aroma-therapeutic essential oils. Beauty Without Cruelty’s full line of color cosmetics reaches across all lines in order to meet the beauty needs of all women.

Beauty Without Cruelty Products may be purchased from your local natural foods retailer, and at some drug stores and vitamin shops. You can also purchase BWC products online directly from the Beauty Without Cruelty website: www.beautywithoutcruelty.com.

Almay has been in business since 1931. Even back then, Almay used pure, hypoallergenic ingredients that were safe for even the most sensitive skin. Almay was the world’s first hypoallergenic cosmetics brand, and the first brand to make 100% fragrance-free products. It was also the first cosmetics companies to disclose all ingredients used, the first brand to perform safety testing for allergy irritation, the first brand to formulate for contact lens wearers, and the first brand to create cosmetics regimens for specific skin types. Almay does not test on animals and it uses natural ingredients such as soybean, rosehips, licorice, milk thistle, and aloe, to name just a few. Almay products can be purchased online through the official website or at any beauty supply house, cosmetics retailer or drug store. www.almay.com

Bonne Bell was established in 1927. Although the company’s products are not 100% vegan, the company’s methods of obtaining lanolin and beeswax are 100% cruelty-free. Beeswax and lanolin are the only two animal by-products used by the company. Bonne Bell stands behind its mission to deliver cruelty-free cosmetics to young girls. The company does not use animal testing, either in-house or through outside contractors, for any safety or efficacy evaluations of our products. This policy works well with our development programs. Bonne Bell products can be purchased online or at any beauty supply house, cosmetics retailer or drug store.www.bonnebell.com

Clarins was established in 1954. In 1987, Clarins became the first cosmetics company to stop all product testing on animals and in 1991, it stopped using cellular extracts of animal origin. The Clarins Group prides itself on consumer safety and the protection of both the environment and animals. So, since 1994 the French company has not used any ingredients of animal origin in its formulas. This move cemented Clarins’ place in history as the first cosmetics company to end the use of ingredients derived from animals. Instead of using animal ingredients, Clarins uses plants – the key component of the Clarins brand. The use of plants has benefited many animal species as well as the environment. Clarins sells cruelty-free cosmetics, face and body care products, and fragrances.

Clarins products can be purchased online through the official Clarins website at www.clarins.com or at a number of Clarins cosmetics counters around the world. Just a few of the fine department stores currently carrying the Clarins brand include: Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Lord and Taylor, Bloomingdales, and Nordstrom. Clarins can also be purchased at Sephora and a number of freestanding Clarins stores around the world. To search for a Clarins counter or freestanding store in your area, visit the official website to search for stores by city and state. www.clarins.com

Avon Cosmetics was founded in 1886. Avon sells cruelty-free beauty supplies such as cosmetics, skin care products, hair care, fragrances, bath products, jewelry, and gift items. Avon does not test any of its products on animals, including perfume. The company has been cruelty-free since 1989. Avon beauty products can be purchased online through the official Avon website. You can shop on your own or through an eRepresentatve. www.avon.com

Pangea Beauty Products

Pangea Vegan Beauty Products has been in business since 1995. The company states that it was the first company to offer a comprehensive selection of high-quality, completely cruelty-free vegan products. All Pangea employees follow a vegan lifestyle and the company has a strong commitment to being animal-friendly. In addition, Pangea strives “to maintain the highest ethical standards in every other aspect of (the) business.” Pangea states that the company also refuses to carry products manufactured under oppressive labor conditions and the company re-uses and recycles boxes and other shipping materials for mail orders.

Located in Rockville, Maryland, Pangea sells a wide range of vegan beauty products as well as vegan products in all categories from A-Z. Pangea sells hard-to-find items as well.

Pangea sells vegan, cruelty-free beauty lipstick, eye shadow, blush, concealer, powders, foundation, eyeliner, mascara, nail color, nail color and make-up removers, and brushes. Pangea carries both well-known and lesser known cruelty-free, vegan and vegetarian brands such as Ecco Bella, Zuzu Luxe, Hibiskiss, Gabriel, Zia, and No Miss to name just a few.