I had an epiphany a month or two ago, that a lot of products are tested on animals. I can’t remember exactly what triggered it – but it was something I’d sort of half known but never really thought about as I got on with my daily life.
And I don’t mean putting body lotion on a rabbit’s cracked paws or brushing its teeth with toothpaste. I mean putting nail polish on a rabbit’s eyeballs, pumping its stomach full of toxic liquid. There’s some more info about animal testing here.
I googled, and began one at a time to put in the hair care products and makeup brands that I used to see if they were tested on animals or not. And, I found that basically they all were, in some way or another. Through a good few weeks of intense googling sessions it seems there are three types of brand:
1 – Those that test their products on animals or allow their products to be tested on animals (eg. if they sell in China).
2 – Those that use ingredients that are tested on animals to make their products.
3 – Those that use other forms of testing (after all it is the 21st Century, we have better and more reliable methods), or no ‘new’ chemicals or ingredients, only those that we already know are safe.
Unfortunately most of the products in Boots and Watsons or supermarkets like Tesco and Big C fall under category 1 or 2. That is to say, big brands like L’Oreal, Estee Lauder, Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble, Unilever, Church & Dwight, Clorox, Colgate-Palmolive.
I resolved to try and find more products from category 3, to substitute what I’d been using up until that point. I thought it would be really difficult, or really expensive in Bangkok to do so, but the great news is, it hasn’t been difficult at all. There isn’t much on the internet though about cruelty-free brands that are available in Bangkok though, so I thought I’d put together a list to help anyone that is looking for them.
But of course, use this a a place to start. Do your own research too – a lot of blogs I’ve seen tout things as being cruelty-free, when actually if you go on the brand’s own website you can clearly see their policy on testing on animals (e.g. Younique). But, its not always clear, ‘Cruelty-Free’ is a phrase that isn’t regulated by anyone, so companies can use it to mean whatever they want it to mean. I used PETA’s website, to search their database, and also Cruelty-Free International. There are apps like Bunny-Free too, which you can even scan a barcode and it will tell you (it’s not always 100% accurate though, I’ve found). These websites typically have types 1 and 3 on them, and if they don’t come up I’ve assumed they’re type 2. Another thing that I aim to do is email a few companies and ask them. If they have nothing to hide then there should be no reason not to reply.
This list is not exhaustive, at all. There may be more brands out there in BKK and the rest of Thailand, but this is what I’ve found, what I’ve bought, and what I like. Please, if you know of more and where they are available, leave a comment!
Sephora – EmQuartier/CentralWorld/and has other branches
Though it should be pointed out that Sephora itself is not cruelty-free. I think there are likely to be other cruelty-free make-up brands at Sephora too.
Tarte
Make-up.
Nyx – Nyx is owned by L’Oreal, but has the ‘Leaping Bunny’ logo, so doesn’t test.
Make-up.
Murad – but it’s a bit pricey for me.
Face cream, sunscreen.
John Master’s Organics
Shampoo, Conditioner, hair products. (Also has pet shampoo available at Lazada, but that’s mighty pricey unless there’s an offer on.)
EmQuartier
Zuii Organics – take the escalator next to Sephora a few floors up and you’ll see the shop/stand. Their products are organic too, though some things are rather pricey.
Make-up, make-up remover.
Terminal 21/CentralWorld
The Body Shop – and plenty of other branches. Again I’ll point out that it’s owned by L’Oreal.
Make-up, make-up remover, face cream, body lotion, perfume, shower/bath gel, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, lip balm.
Boots – has branches everywhere.
Burt’s Bees – owned by Clorox who test on animals, but Burt’s doesn’t.
Lip balm, hand cream, moisturiser
Lazada.co.th
Kiss My Face
Toothpaste (fluoride free), soap, detangler (for kids), hand soap, shower gel/body wash, hand cream, body moisturiser, face cream, foot cream.
Aubrey Organics
Shampoo, conditioner, face cream.
Desert Essence
Shampoo, conditioner (they make toothpaste too but it’s not sold at Lazada).
Pipper Standard – I don’t actually know if this is strictly cruelty-free and not tested on animals. However, the brand is ‘all natural’; the main ingredient is pineapples so it’s eco-friendly.
Laundry detergent, stain remover, fabric conditioner.
Radiance Wholefoods – has a few other things that I haven’t included. Also has fresh produce, check them out!
Conscious Living – They also have their own website where you can buy. Again, I don’t actually know if this strictly cruelty-free, however, the brand is ‘100% all natural’ and it looks to be eco-friendly.
All in one cleaner, laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash.
Etsy.com
Shipping could become a little expensive, but Etsy is a wonderful website full of shops selling homemade things. Lots of organic stuff, though not necessarily guaranteed that the ingredients aren’t tested on animals. Also a great place to buy reusable menstrual pads. A lot of companies that test on animals also make disposable pads and tampons, so if you really can’t face giving them money and want to be environmentally friendly too, I recommend re-usables. Anyway, re-usables are much comfier and quite easy to deal with in Thailand. (Tip: Shipping is cheaper from Australia than America to Thailand.)
For now that’s all. I’ll add a post or update as and when I find any more brands.
Don’t forget to comment if you know anything I’ve missed :)
Drawing Cows in Bruges 