Is Vaseline Cruelty Free? 2025 Animal-Testing Truth

Vaseline is a household name many of us have used since childhood. From soothing chapped lips to moisturizing dry skin, this petroleum jelly product has countless uses. 

But if you care about making ethical choices, you might be wondering: Is Vaseline cruelty free, especially if its parent is a company that tests on animals?

In this article, you’ll learn the truth about Vaseline’s animal testing policies, understand what “cruelty-free” really means, and discover ethical alternatives that work just as well. Let’s get straight to the facts so you can make choices that match your values.

Is Vaseline Cruelty Free?

No, Vaseline is not cruelty-free. This is largely because Vaseline, being owned by Unilever, means that its parent company, Unilever, allows animal testing in certain markets as required by law.

This is an important distinction. Many companies claim they “don’t test on animals” but still permit testing through suppliers or third parties. True cruelty-free products ensure no animal testing happens at any stage of product development.

Vaseline falls short of cruelty-free standards because:

• It’s owned by a parent company, Unilever, which allows animal testing in certain situations.
• It lacks certification from trusted organizations like Leaping Bunny and PETA, meaning Vaseline’s certified cruelty-free status has not been achieved.
• Its products may be sold in markets that require animal testing, like China.

As a consumer who cares about animals, understanding this difference is crucial when deciding which products to buy.

Does Vaseline Test on Animals?

What Unilever and Vaseline state on their respective websites needs careful examination; for example, Vaseline’s ingredients page says: 

“Our parent company, Unilever, uses science, not animals, to ensure that our products are safe, and we don’t believe that animal testing is necessary.” Vaseline

However, this statement doesn’t tell the full story. While Vaseline itself claims not to test on animals, Unilever acknowledges that some ingredients “have to be tested by our suppliers to comply with legal and regulatory requirements in some markets, and some governments still test certain products on animals as part of their regulations.” Ethical Elephant

This means that Vaseline’s products or its raw ingredients to be tested on animals when mandated by law. Indeed, products or ingredients may still be tested by suppliers by law when required in certain markets. 

The key issue is that truly cruelty-free companies refuse to sell in markets that require animal testing, making a firm stand against these practices, whereas a company like Unilever still engages in animal testing under certain legal frameworks when the law requires it.

Understanding Cruelty-Free Certification

When shopping for ethical products, looking for cruelty-free certification is your best bet. These certifications ensure that products have met strict standards regarding animal testing.

The three major cruelty-free certifications are:

1. Leaping Bunny – Considered the gold standard in cruelty-free certification. Companies must commit to no animal testing at any stage of product development and agree to independent audits.
   
2. PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies – Requires companies to sign a statement confirming they don’t test on animals.
   
3. Choose Cruelty Free – An Australian certification with strict standards similar to Leaping Bunny.
   

Vaseline does not have any of these certifications. While certification isn’t mandatory, and some brands might claim to be fully cruelty-free without being certified, it’s a good indicator of their ethical commitment to these practices. 

Certified brands have undergone rigorous verification processes to prove their claims.

Unilever’s Animal Testing Policy Explained

Since Vaseline is owned by Unilever, a parent company that tests when required by law, understanding their animal testing policy helps explain why Vaseline isn’t considered cruelty-free.

Unilever states they are committed to ending animal testing: 

“We do not test on animals and believe that animal testing is not needed to make sure that our products are safe for people to use and safe for our planet.” Unilever

However, they also acknowledge that: “Occasionally, across our wider product portfolio, some of the ingredients we use have to be tested by our suppliers to comply with legal and regulatory requirements in some markets; and some governments still require certain products to be tested on animals as part of their regulations.”

This exception is critical. While Unilever has made efforts to develop non-animal testing methods, it still allows animal testing when required by local laws. This is why neither Unilever nor Vaseline is considered truly cruelty-free by major certification bodies.

For context, truly cruelty-free companies uphold strict policies against animal testing by refusing to sell their products in markets that require such testing.

The China Market and Animal Testing Requirements

The market in mainland China has historically required animal testing for imported cosmetics, creating a dilemma for brands wanting to be both cruelty-free and available in this huge market.

As of 2021, China has relaxed some of these requirements. According to Green Matters, “China now no longer requires animal testing, meaning more brands can become cruelty-free.” Green Matters

However, the situation remains complex:

• General cosmetics (like skincare, makeup, and hair care) sold in physical stores can now avoid animal testing through alternative safety assessments.
• Special-use products (like hair dye and sunscreen) may still require full animal testing.
• Post-market testing (testing after products are on shelves) has also changed, with China no longer using animal tests for “recalls.”

Despite these changes, many truly cruelty-free brands remain cautious about entering the Chinese market. They want to ensure their products never contribute to animal testing under any circumstances.

For Unilever and Vaseline, their presence in China means they’re still subject to these complex regulations, which is why their cruelty-free status is compromised.

Is Vaseline Vegan?

Another common question is whether Vaseline is vegan. Technically, Vaseline’s white petrolatum (petroleum jelly) contains no animal-derived ingredients – it’s made from petroleum, a fossil fuel.

However, many vegans avoid Vaseline for several reasons and are generally cautious because some skincare products may contain animal-derived ingredients without clear labeling:

1. Animal testing concerns – As discussed, Vaseline isn’t cruelty-free, which for many means Vaseline is not vegan in an ethical sense.
   
2. Environmental impact – Petroleum is a non-renewable resource, and its extraction and processing raise significant sustainability concerns.
   
3. Ethical considerations – Some vegans consider petroleum products non-vegan because fossil fuels contain decomposed animal matter from millions of years ago, which they link to ancient animal-derived ingredients in their elemental origin.

While Vaseline doesn’t directly contain animal derivatives, these ethical concerns lead many vegans to seek alternatives, looking for wholly vegan products even if the original formulation doesn’t contain direct animal parts, due to associated testing or environmental issues.

Top Cruelty-Free Alternatives to Vaseline

Thankfully, there are many effective vegan and cruelty-free alternatives to Vaseline. Here are some of the best options, all certified by trusted organizations:

Leaping Bunny Certified Options

1. Vegaline – 100% natural, vegan, and hypoallergenic alternative to petroleum jelly. Great for lips, hands, makeup removal, and more.
   
2. Alba Botanica UnPetroleum Jelly – A plant-based alternative with the Leaping Bunny symbol. Contains coconut oil and vitamin E.
   
3. Waxelene – Made with organic soy oil, beeswax, and natural vitamin E. Perfect for dry skin, chapped lips, and minor cuts.
   

100% Vegan Brands and Alternatives

Many brands now offer vegan alternatives that are also cruelty-free, ensuring no animal products are used in addition to no animal testing.

1. VegaJelly – A natural, plant-based alternative made entirely of purified vegetable oils.
   
2. Earth Conscious Vegan Multipurpose Balm – Petroleum-free, certified vegan by The Vegan Society, and made with plant oils and waxes.
   
3. Booda Butter – Multi-purpose moisturizer that’s vegan, cruelty-free, and palm oil-free.
   

Budget-Friendly Choices

1. Morrisons Own Brand Petroleum Jelly (UK) – Leaping Bunny approved and affordable.
   
2. Doctor Rogers RESTORE Healing Balm – Slightly more expensive but long-lasting and versatile.
   
3. Boots Own Brand Petroleum Jelly (UK) – Another budget-friendly, Leaping Bunny-certified option.
   

These alternatives provide the same moisturizing and protective benefits as Vaseline without the ethical concerns.

How to Identify Truly Cruelty-Free Products

Finding genuinely cruelty-free products requires some detective work. Here are practical tips to help you shop ethically:

1. Look for certification logos – Check for the Leaping Bunny, PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies, or Choose Cruelty Free symbols on packaging.
   
2. Use cruelty-free apps – Apps like Cruelty Cutter, Bunny Free, and the Leaping Bunny app let you scan products in-store to verify their status.
   
3. Check online databases – Websites like Cruelty Free Kitty, Ethical Elephant, and PETA maintain updated lists and often rate brands on their cruelty-free status.
   
4. Be wary of misleading claims – Terms like “not tested on animals” can be misleading, as the final product formulation may contain ingredients tested by suppliers, or the brand may sell in markets requiring animal testing.
   
5. Research parent companies – A brand might be cruelty-free, but for brands owned by a larger corporation, the parent company may not be. This is a common issue where parent companies are not cruelty-free (like Vaseline and Unilever), impacting the subsidiary’s overall ethical standing for many consumers.

These steps will help you make informed choices, enabling you to choose to boycott companies that don’t align with your ethics and choose to support those that do.

Making the Switch: A Practical Guide

Ready to replace Vaseline with a cruelty-free alternative? Here’s how to make a smooth transition:

Step 1: Identify Your Needs

Think about how you use Vaseline. Is it mainly for lips? Dry skin? Minor cuts? This will help you choose the right alternative.

Step 2: Choose the Right Substitute

• For lips: Try Alba Botanica UnPetroleum Jelly or Vegaline
• For dry skin, Waxelene or Earth Conscious Vegan Multipurpose Balm works well
• For multi-purpose use, VegaJelly or Booda Butter are great all-rounders

Step 3: Test Safely

When trying a new product:

• Test on a small area first, especially if you have sensitive skin
• Allow 24 hours to check for reactions
• Introduce one new product at a time

Step 4: Save Money

• Buy multi-purpose products that replace several items
• Look for store brands with cruelty-free certification
• Watch for sales on ethical brands

By following these steps, you can easily replace Vaseline with products that are both effective and aligned with your values.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

In conclusion, regarding the complex question of Vaseline’s cruelty-free status, Vaseline itself is not. The company is not cruelty-free because, despite claims of not testing on animals, Vaseline’s parent company, Unilever, permits animal testing where required by law, and the products lack certification from trusted organizations like Leaping Bunny and PETA.

The good news is that many companies can be fully cruelty-free and offer excellent alternatives to choose from. Whether you prefer vegan, natural, or budget-friendly options, there’s a petroleum jelly alternative that matches your needs and values.

By choosing cruelty-free products, you’re supporting companies that prioritize ethical practices and animal welfare. Every purchase is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.

Make the switch today to products that are kind to your skin and kind to animals. Your conscience—and your skin—will thank you.