MAC Cosmetics Is No Longer Cruelty Free
For a long time, one of the most well-known cruelty free brands has been MAC Cosmetics. It was also a common rumor in the vegan community that all their products are also vegan. Known for their bright and bold collections as well as their wide range of classic shades, MAC seems to have something to offer to everyone. Staying up to date on what companies are animal friendly is a big priority for me. I only purchase vegan items, and I don’t want to buy any product that has caused harm to any animals. Even if I have checked with a company in the past, I email them again every couple of months to see if anything has changed in their response that might effect their status.
MAC Cosmetics is owned by Estee Lauder. This cosmetics giant has openly tested on animals for a long time and has recently come under fire for conducting secret tests on cosmetics in China. It was this controversy that sparked me to check in with MAC about their status as a cruelty free company who offers vegan options. By some standards, MAC being owned by Estee Lauder is enough to not consider them cruelty free. With a parent company that supports animal testing, any profit MAC makes does then support animal cruelty. However, I’ve always found it best to support the animal friendly brands and let people make their own decisions about the parent companies.
Sadly, in my recent response from MAC, I noticed a change that effects their status as a cruelty free company. In order for Logical Harmony to promote a company as cruelty free, I want to make sure that there is no testing on animals at any point during the production of the products. This includes by the company itself or third parties that may provide ingredients. If a company can’t give a straight response to those questions, I don’t endorse them and I don’t feature them on Logical Harmony.
Normally I post the entire email response from companies, but this email from MAC has a disclosure that prohibits me from doing so without permission. I have emailed asking for permission to copy the entire email but have received no reply. So I am only going to re-post one sentence here, and it’s the only sentence that matters.
M.A.C has a longstanding policy to not test on animals, nor ask others to test on our behalf, except when required by law.
“Except when required by law” is what I cannot move past. This means that MAC, long known for being cruelty free, does test on animals. I emailed them back asking for clarification on what the terms for “required by law” are but have not received a reply. I also noticed that while PETA has endorsed them in the past, MAC has been removed from their list of companies who don’t test on animals. It’s not on the list of companies who do test, but it being removed from the don’t test list says a lot.
Because of this response, Logical Harmony will no longer be featuring any MAC Cosmetics products. All previous posts featuring MAC will be edited to add a disclaimer about their new stance on animal testing. This just shows how important it is to support the vegan cosmetic companies out there. Cruelty free may mean no testing on animals, but there are animal ingredients used in the production that do cause harm to animals to produce. “Cruelty free” is far from actually being free from cruelty to animals. Cruelty free products are featured on Logical Harmony as a step for people who are concerned about becoming animal friendly but aren’t ready to transition to vegan cosmetics.
So what can you do?
- If you are concerned about buying animal friendly cosmetics, please no longer purchase MAC items.
- If you are a cruelty free or animal friendly blogger, please don’t feature MAC on your blog anymore. Please do a post about their change in testing policies and spread the word to your readers!
- Promote this post on social networking sites to let your friends know!
- Let your friends who use MAC know about the change!
- I urge you to contact MAC yourself and ask them to change their stance on animal testing!
I also urge you all to consider trying vegan cosmetics brands. There are so many out there who produce amazing products without any harm to animals!
Edited on March 16, 2012 to add : If you are interested in letting MAC know how you feel about this change, please check out this post from Phyrra – Heartbroken by MAC. In it, she gives an excellent letter template for you to submit to MAC!
Images & Source : MAC
Logical Harmony strives to bring you the best in vegan beauty and lifestyle! Vegan products are cruelty free and also do not contain animal ingredients. We're here to help you achieve an animal friendly lifestyle! 
I was on the PETA (UK) website the other day, and MAC WERE on the list for companies that DO treat on animals. Couldn’t believe it! MAC/Estee Lauder should have the money and power to not do it.
MAC didn’t used to test on animals either. That’s what’s so sad/frustrating about this. It’s a recent change.
Yes…a giant step backwards.
Common sense would lead anyone to believe that. From my experience it’s the opposite though. The larger the company is the more likely they are to use crap synthetic ingredients and to test on animals.
I started working for GourmetBodyTreats.com a few years ago (after several years with Estee Lauder) they’re small, cruelty free, vegan, and completely non-toxic. <3 <3!
Smaller cosmetics companies are popping up all the time and I think the quality of the product is WAY higher.
Gosh that is very interesting to know and thank you for sharing – it will help me make better decisions in future. I also am extremely disappointed with Estee Lauder….and they own so many companies whic now I no longer use. I can’t believe these huge corporations are re-testing again just to break into the China market….they should have stuck to their guns and made China changes IT’S policies, rather than the other way around!!
MAC does not test on animals. I work for the company; Estée Lauder does but MAC Cosmetics does not. An when it mentions “by law” it means if we sell on certain countries we have to because their laws state it is a must. Don’t just go by what people post, do your research people. PITA put them on the list once Estée Lauder bought MAC just because of how they are now offilliated… Their name should be taken off unless they know the truth.
When a company says that they only test “when required by law” it is still testing on animals. There is no way around that. Whether it’s required or optional, testing on animals is still testing on animals.
I’ve done my research. Trust me. I do very extensive research on all the brands that I post about, whether it’s saying that they are cruelty free or not. Nothing is based off what others may be saying. This post is based on information that I received from MAC. The PETA list is just an interesting note, but it is not what this post is based off of.
I knew something was up…I was interested in a few MAC products so I checked around for the animal friendly stuff + such + saw nothing. I was really considering getting some lip products from them last week + I am so glad I decided to wait since I could not find the info I was looking for…ty for sharing this=)
You’re welcome! I’m glad that you are not going to buy the MAC products you were thinking about!!! They used to have an anti-animal testing claim in their FAQ too, but that is now gone.
So stupid when they try to make it sound like they’re cruelty free when in reality they’re not.
I haven’t purchased any MAC in awhile. I’m usually just a fan of their limited edition collections with the pretty packaging.
I agree. I just want to know a company is up front and gives me a trustworthy statement. I don’t think it’s too much to ask for.
Horrible to read. I thank you, so much, for letting us all know. I have RT the link to your post, and I will also add your post to my FB page. Again, thank you, Tashina. x
Thank YOU for helping spread the word about this change!
This really sucks as Mac was a company that used to get quite a bit of my buisness. You should know though that PETA isn’t as perfect as it claims. They don’t believe that animals should be pets so animals that they’ve saved from various places are almost always put down instead of placed up for adoption. Just something to think about. Thanks for posting this information!
Oh, trust me, I know that no company or organization is ever as perfect as it claims. I do think that they are a trustworthy source when it comes to checking in on companies being truly cruelty free though.
That was an article produced by the company that owns KFC that was recently attacked by PETA. Not sure if I would put any stock in that claim considering the founder of PETA owns several pets herself. There was a shelter in virginia that had a high euthanasia rate that was apparently run by PETA, but according to PETA this is false. Also this shelters euthanasia rates were not any higher than other shelters in the south where there is an influx of unwanted pets. Just cause it may have been run by PETA doesn’t mean that they can work magic or miracles. I worked in a shelter where animals had to be euthanized twice a week to make room for the ever revolving door of new animals being abandones and there was nothing we could do. It’s supply and demand: not enough homes for the animals being abandoned!
“Just cause it may have been run by PETA doesn’t mean that they can work magic or miracles.”
So true. I think that people hold them to a higher standard. In some cases because they believe in PETA and in others because they don’t. Either way, I don’t think it discredits their information about cruelty free/vegan brands or the amount of information they offer about so many animal friendly related things.
Sorry, but are you suggesting MAC should disregard laws that may require animal testing?
Not at all. They are free to do as they please. I just don’t support companies that choose to test on animals when it’s unnecessary. In this case, my guess is that it was so they could sell products in China. China is the only place where animal testing is required by law.
Like I said before: there are alternatives. Many other companies don’t test on animals! Just because a company wants to increase market share by selling their line in another country or decide to produce products in another country, that requires animal testing, to save money, doesn’t make it right. Not by my standards. It’s greed plain and simple! There are lots of different makeup companies out there that will get my money instead. I was a devout MAC supporter and spent probably thousands on their makeup before I heard this. They better hope that their Chinese customers are just as loyal because they aren’t getting another penny from me.
Just like you said, it’s SO easy to NOT test on animals! Doing so is simply to have access to more markets to make more money. It’s really sad. Especially from a company that used to be so vocal about their stance against animal testing.
Lily – I’m pretty sure that when that exception is in a company’s policy – citing “where required by law” – it means they are being sold in a certain country that requires some things to be tested. Because this is a recent change, MAC could just pull their product from whatever country is requiring the testing and go back to selling where it was sold before. Or it could mean they recently added some kind of ingredient that is required to be tested on animals in the countries they already sell in, in which case they could replace that ingredient with something else.
Anyone please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s what I’ve always understood that part of the policy to mean.
As far as my understanding goes, that’s what it means too. If someone has more information I’d gladly welcome it!
Unfortunately the almighty dollar rules over ethics. Selling their products in a coutry with a population over one billion is a great way to like their pockets. There are alternatives however. For example : L’occitane sells in China but instead ships their finished cruelty-free products to China instead of opening a production facility where the finished products would need to be tested on animals. However it is more cost effective to produce and sell in China so that is what these companies have opted to do. It’s unfortunate that morals get pushed aside for the almighty dollar. I will not buy product that choose to test on animals or that are owned by a company that tests on animals, because that is still lining the pockets of the [aren’t company. I don’t care if the tests are done here or a million miles away. There are other options like shipping their products to that country or simply not doing business in a certain country that does not meet the companies’ requirements. Urban decay has beautiful formulated products; it is independently owned and has been certified cruelty-free by an independent company. Every purchase we make is a vote for a product and the only way to stop animal testing is to hit them where it hurts.
I didn’t know that about L’occitane! That’s really interesting and a great point to bring up. These companies do have other options if they really wanted to stay cruelty free. However, just like you pointed out, the dollar often means more.
Ok I am really confused because as far as I knew (from my discussions with the company) this has been their policy for at least a few years, and it is a policy adopted by all companies in the Estee Lauder Companies group.
I wonder if this different between markets because Australia is often grouped into the ‘Asian’ market (so very annoying). I just don’t get it.
Nevertheless, China sucks. It shocks me that in this day and age a country can demand that for a product to be sold there, it is required to go through animal testing. So stupid. So insane. Makes me sick. This puts a huge kink in my new found love of the MAC brand.
Huh. I’m not sure. Even just a couple of months ago (the last time I had emailed MAC until a couple of weeks ago) they had a no animal testing at any point and no use of animal tested ingredients stance. So, here in the US at least, this is very recent.
I’m sad to see all these companies going back to testing on animals. I’m glad I use Arbonne. Arbonne is a 32-year old company that is vegan-certified, botanically-based cosmetics, skin care, and nutritional products. I wanted you all to know there is still a company out there dedicated to not testing on animals.
It’s very sad. Especially when there’s no reason to need to test on animals. I’ve never tried Arbonne products but have heard nothing but great things.
For the love of everything, is there a reason you keep writing that cruelty is free instead of referring to things as being “cruelty-free”? The hyphen isn’t optional for that compound adjective, you know.
Proper grammar doesn’t always match up with what’s best for SEO, unfortunately.
I’ve been ordering everything here http://host.silknaturals.com/creb/
While some of their products contain silk or crushed pearls, there’s a LOT of vegan options, they don’t test on animals and the ingredients of their individual products are listed on the website.
I also find their prices a LOT lower than companies like MAC that have an advertising budget and the quality is every bit as good, often better.
I’ll check out that link. Thank you for sharing it, Stella!!!
Seconding supporting smaller companies like Silk Naturals, Meow Cosmetics, Alima Pure, Bubble & Bee Organics, Badger Balm, Vapour, Abbey St. Clare, etc. — the list is far too long to elaborate! I’ve noticed that the smaller companies tend to be quite responsive to customer desires, are cruelty-free, and have many of their products (or all of them, depending on the brand) be vegan.
Over the past year, I have slowly moved away from the larger cosmetics/personal care companies (with the exception of my beloved Urban Decay) and moved towards these smaller companies. Doing so aligns with not only my cruelty-free preferences, but also my preference for supporting local/indie companies who also tend to use ingredients I prefer. I thought it would be tough to find product replacements of an equivalent caliber, but it has been the opposite — the quality is excellent and the costs are much less.
My only caveat would be to do your research if you are exploring a brand that is hitherto unknown to you, because just as there are shady larger companies, there are also some shady indie companies. But I pretty much research everything I buy anyway, so it’s not really that much of a burden on me.
I find it shocking that people still support PETA… Really all I have to say on this matter.
To a lot of people, PETA’s lists of companies who do and don’t test still hold strong. Referencing those lists is quite different from anything related to PETA’s actions or campaigns. I felt that it was important to mention that PETA removed MAC to help give my statements more backup. None of the information was from PETA.
Really??? I find it shocking that people make statements like this when PETA is able to provide information that benefits consumers so they can make educated ethical decisions. Not sure what contribution you have ever made to the cosmetics industry or animals for that matter?? Unless you are part of the population that doesn’t really care. I don’t support PETA but I started using their list when I decided that an animal should not have to suffer so I can wear makeup of all things. How selfish of us as humans to not care about suffering for the sake of beauty. Also the author never said anything about supporting PETA she only referenced it..
I think that the lists from PETA are a great resource. Especially for those just starting out on a cruelty free or vegan lifestyle or those who want a quick way to check on things.
Thank you for this post! Ugh, “We’re cruelty free… except when we’re not.”
You’re welcome.
I just think companies should be up front about this stuff so that consumers can make educated choices.
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Just to clarify.. MAC was never 100% vegan. I know some of the lipsticks aren’t vegan and obviously the brushes aren’t even close to vegan.
I’m glad people are finally talking about the animal testing issue. I read about the EL statement last year but none of my MAC-loving friends believed MAC could have anything to do with it.
Yeah, I knew that MAC being all vegan was always a rumor. However, it’s one that a lot of people believed so I wanted to address it in this post as well.
What’s crazy is that while EL has been testing for a while, the MAC change is recent. I really thought that they wouldn’t change their stance.
MAC, you got it all wrong. There are NO LAWS that require the testing of household products and beauty aids on animals.
You are on my black list now. I will be sure to share this information with EVERYBODY that I can.
I hope you go belly-up.
I guess in China there are laws that require it and apparently the market there is large enough to be worth the change to them.
I feel like they are going to lose a lot of customers over this. Thank you so much for sharing this information! I think it’s so important to let people know the truth!
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thank so much for this info.
I bought mac makeup about 5 days ago still haven’t used it which is a good thing because now that I know that they change to testing on animals I’m going to return it ( I hope I get my money back )
its a big disappointment that they change to hurting animals because I did like them a lot.
Greed changes integrity, honesty……..which is really sad!
well I am now going to start looking for another cosmetics……cruelty-free of course!
thank you again
take care
xoxo
Hi Bere!
Where you able to return your recent purchases? I really hope so. MAC needs to know that people aren’t okay with their change!
Thank you for this. I recently did a post on one of Mac’s lipsticks. I will be adding the disclaimer you had posted to my post. Boo
on the matter. I hope Mac starts adapting to the new technology that is out there.
I linked your site to the quote.
I’m so sorry that you have had to add a disclaimer.
It’s so frustrating that MAC has changed their stance on animal testing.
Peta recently notified supporters that Mary Kay and Avon are no longer cruelty free either. I guess this is because they are now selling in China which has laws REQUIRING animal testing before the products can be sold in the Country…..so unfortunately they are doing it. China market may be the same reason MAC is now contributing to the cruelty too?!
I believe that access to the consumer market in China is the reason for the change with MAC, and nearly all other Estee Lauder brands as well. It’s sad to see that they would rather make more money than be ethical.
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Hi,
Great post and great blog.
I edit a cruelty free beauty product website (Venus Loves Virgo) and thought I would add my two cents.
I recently found out MAC went back to animal testing and was so mad. I actually never really liked them (MAC) that much because of the high price and the same boring colors they would reissue every season. Plus other brands have better less expensive stuff.
I occasionally receive products for review or as gifts and someone sent me some MAC Extra Dimension products which I will not review or swatch. Most of my members know not to send me animal tested products but sometimes people send me tings anyway.
What confused me was the label on back that said Made In Italy. I suspect because it’s a baked product and only Italy bakes cosmetics. So, they are not just manufacturing in China? Are some of the items cruelty free?
In any case, I no longer buy MAC and will not until they change the policy back to cruelty free. Sometimes I wonder if they were ever truly cruelty free
What was even more hurtful to me was finding out Smashbox is no longer cruelty free! That pissed me off!
Thanks for letting me vent.
XOXO
Forgot to mention i will be letting my subscribers know about that contact letter
THANKS xoxo
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Thank you so much for sharing this information with us! This is not acceptable at all!
So now all the products I had from MAC is is the trash!
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I was/am shocked and disappointed to read MAC is no longer cruelty-free, as I was a devout MAC user for many, many years. I have now thrown the rest of my MAC in the bin, and am going to be trying some Urban Decay instead, which I know to be cruelty-free.
As for China requiring animal testing by law, I can’t say I’m surprised at their antiquated stance on this, considering their Human Rights record… :-O
Sorry but Urban Decay is also no longer cruelty free.
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Thank you very much for this information.
It is so hard for me to find cruelty free products.
MAC was the only thing that I can physically go and try before purchasing.
At least now I know they are not cruelty free. I won’t be supporting them in any way anymore.
Hi there!
Have you tried the Arbonne product range. Their award winning skincare, health and make-up ranges are amazing. All of our products are healthy, botanically based and inspired by nature. We do not test on animals at any stage in the process and are Vegan approved. You can find more info on my website http://kellyfallon.myarbonne.co.uk or arbonneinternational.co.uk or feel free to just ask me.
I can’t wait to see our company on your list! I feel so proud to be able to share their philosophy. X
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I’ve been using MAC foundation and eye shadow for several years. I was about to restock the MAC Studio Tech foundation and MAC Studio Fix powder when a girlfriend of mine mentioned MAC was no longer cruelty-free because they are selling in China which requires cosmetics to be tested on animals before being allowed on the market in China.
I was gobsmacked. I thought it was a cruel joke. But after some Googling I came across your website (and why haven’t I found you before now?!?!) and it is true! Oh gosh, I am so disappointed with MAC. I read what you suggested about sending an email to MAC and I did so (using that awesome template from Phyrra) and I expressed my extreme disappointment they are compromising their long history of cruelty-free beauty all in the name of the dollar and I won’t be purchasing their products anymore.
Having done that, I am now stuck wondering how to replace my long-standing MAC foundation and powder. What can I use in place of the MAC Studio Tech and Studio Fix? They were so awesome for my makeup and I have no idea where to start to find the same kind of products that are cruelty-free. I wonder if you might have suggestions to what products would be the same as MAC Studio Tech and MAC Studio Fix.
I also want to commend you on your awesome website. I have bookmarked it and will be sure to refer to it often.
Great article. Like many, the issue I have is not whether the mac products I purchased here in the USA were tested an animals, its whether the company as a whole is testing when required in other places. I have now asked a hand full of mac employes about this who continue to respond with “we test on human models- not animals” with a rehearsed tone. If this is the case, why doesn’t mac appear to pop up on any updated cruelty free lists? I have e mailed mac directly about this but sadly I’m anticipating a canned response.
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Grate job..
I also write something about this topic i will appreciate if all of you will give me some feedback..
http://www.squidoo.com/cruelty-free-cosmetics-and-makeup
It is a DEFINITE law in China to test on animals. If you want to sell a product used on the body, it has to be tested on animals. This isn’t something the company decides, it’s something the GOVERNMENT decides. As it’s a communist-moving-into-socialist-capitalist economy, the companies DO NOT and WILL NOT have ANY control on the government for a WHILE. (Unless it has to do with electronics. They can do whatever the fuck they want, *cough cough*, apple, *cough cough*.) (I can say the same that if you have any MAC[seriously lol what a pun!] product/iphone you ARE supporting depression, poverty, and suicides in China. Just saying.)
I recommend that you email estee lauder and OTHER companies that are trying to sell in China(they have a much larger consumer base there, they are able to sell so much more there than they can in the US. It’s a bad business idea to not sell in China, and they are a business, don’t hate on them for being a business and trying to make money. It happens.) urging them to ask China to stop requiring them to test on animals. There are companies for “progressive change”. We need to urge more companies to do that, with enough companies urging China to stop the requirement, and if people would sign this petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/805/419/509/china-stop-mandatory-animal-cosmetics-testing/ hopefully it will work. The problem is China, not most of the companies. Sign the petition please! It won’t have much influence by itself, but with the companies pressuring them, foreign and natives, I’m sure it will eventually work! Please! Spread awareness about it.
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I am beyond disappointed in MAC !!! brutal…guess its time to find a new brand of make up.
Very upsetting news
I’ve been a MAC fan for quite sometime, but it looks as though I may have to find another brand :/
Unfortunately I came across this article a little late, and have purchased MAC products in the past few months (when I was under the impression that they did not test on animals).
I was wondering if anyone knew whether or not the brand Makeup Forever tested on animals. I’ve tried to do some research, but there are so many contradicting statements.
I will, in the meantime look into some of the smaller brands suggested!
*smaller companies
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