Is Origins Cruelty Free in 2025? The Complete Truth

If you’re trying to make kinder beauty choices, you’ve probably asked: “Is Origins cruelty-free?” This question matters to millions of consumers who care about animals. 

Today, we’ll uncover the real answer with facts, not marketing speak. You’ll learn exactly where Origins stands on animal testing, what their policies actually mean, and discover truly cruelty-free alternatives for your skincare routine.

Is Origins Cruelty Free?

No, Origins is not cruelty-free in 2025. Despite what their marketing might suggest, Origins allows animal testing when required by law. This is confirmed by major animal rights organizations that monitor cosmetics companies.

PETA clearly lists Origins in their database of companies that do test on animals. On PETA’s website, Origins (under parent company Estée Lauder) carries a warning: “This company DOES test on animals.” PETA.

Ethical watchdog groups like Ethical Elephant have investigated Origins’ practices and found that the brand does not meet cruelty-free standards. They fail to qualify for certification from respected organizations like Leaping Bunny that verify truly cruelty-free companies, Ethical Elephant.

Does Origins Test on Animals?

Origins has carefully worded statements about animal testing that require close reading. On their website, they state: 

“Origins has a strong belief that cosmetic animal testing is not necessary and should be eliminated worldwide. We do not test on animals, and our company is helping to bring about change in countries where animal testing is conducted on cosmetics as required by law.” Source

This statement contains a crucial phrase: “where animal testing is conducted on cosmetics as required by law,” and it is not stated anywhere that Origins will refuse such testing if mandated by these laws. 

This means that while Origins might not directly conduct animal tests themselves, they allow their products to be tested on animals in countries like China, where local laws require it.

According to Ethical Elephant, who sometimes provide a screenshot or direct link as evidence of policy changes, Origins recently updated its animal testing policy to remove explicit mentions of selling products in countries that require animal testing. Ethical Elephant. 

This change in wording doesn’t change their actual practices, and there’s no evidence anywhere that Origins has taken concrete actions to withdraw from markets requiring testing.

Why Origins Cannot Be Considered Cruelty-Free

The biggest reason Origins fails the cruelty-free test is its presence in mainland China. Chinese regulatory policies have historically required animal testing on imported cosmetics, i.e., those manufactured outside of China, when sold in physical stores in mainland China.

Origins sells products in mainland China. Their store locator shows multiple retail locations across Chinese cities, and they are also widely available in department stores and retailers like Sephora globally, though this retail presence doesn’t alter their cruelty-free status concerning China. 

In 2010, Estée Lauder officially launched Origins in China, and since Origins established its presence there, it has been subject to these local regulations, impacting its cruelty-free status. In 2021, the company even shared photos of an Origins store in Chongqing, China, on social media.

While China has made some changes to its animal testing laws in recent years, allowing some products to be sold in China without animal testing under specific exemptions, many products still require testing. The pathway for foreign cosmetics in China without animal testing for all product types is still complex and not universally available. 

It has not been confirmed that Origins has taken any steps to meet all of these conditions for their entire product range sold there. Furthermore, it’s not publicly documented that Origins has taken any steps to fully meet all these complex requirements to avoid animal testing while operating in China.

Origins’ Parent Company: Estée Lauder and Animal Testing

Origins’ parent company is Estée Lauder, a major beauty corporation with a complicated stance on animal testing. 

While Estée Lauder claims they’ve been working in collaboration with industry partners and scientists to end animal testing for over 30 years, they admit that their brands are sold in countries where animal testing is required by law.

On their corporate website, Estée Lauder states: 

“We don’t test our products on animals, and we don’t ask others to test for us. We acknowledge our brands are sold in countries where animal testing on cosmetics or cosmetic ingredients is required by la.w” Estée Lauder Companies.

This means that while Estée Lauder supports alternatives to animal testing, they still allow their products (including Origins) to be tested on animals when required to enter certain markets.

Interestingly, Estée Lauder does own some truly certified cruelty-free brands, including Aveda, Bumble and bumble, DECIEM (The Ordinary), Le Labo, Smashbox, and Too Faced. This proves the company can operate brands without animal testing, but has chosen not to extend this policy to Origins.

Understanding Cruelty-Free Certifications

Unlike truly cruelty-free brands, Origins lacks certification from the most trusted animal welfare organizations in the cosmetics space:

1. Leaping Bunny: The gold standard for cruelty-free certification, requiring that no animal testing is conducted at any stage of product development by the company, its suppliers, or by third parties on their behalf.
   
2. PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies: Requires companies to verify that neither they nor their ingredient suppliers conduct, commission, or pay for animal tests.
   

These certifications, backed by significant authority in animal welfare, involve thorough verification processes, often including facility inspections and regular audits. 

Origins cannot qualify for these certifications because of their decision to continue selling in China, a market that requires animal testing for many cosmetic products.

Is Origins Vegan?

Here’s where it gets confusing. Origins claims many of their products are vegetarian or vegan, meaning they don’t contain animal-derived ingredients. On their website, they state: 

“All Origins products are vegetarian, which means that they’re made without animal derived ingredients except cruelty-free honey and/or beeswax. Are Origins products Vegan? We offer many formulas that are Vegan (free of animal-derived ingredients).”

But being vegan and being cruelty-free are two different things:

• Vegan means a product contains no animal-derived ingredients
• Cruelty-free means no animal testing was performed on the product or its ingredients

A product can be vegan in formula but still tested on animals, which is exactly the case with Origins; their vegan-labeled products may contain no animal derivatives, but this doesn’t make the brand cruelty-free if the products are tested on animals at any point in the supply chain.

As Ethical Elephant points out, 

“Origins is NOT vegan. Origins claims to offer some vegan options that are free of animal-derived ingredients, but Origins engages in animal testing in some capacity, so we wouldn’t consider any Origins products vegan at this time,” Ethical Elephant.

Origins’ Sustainable and Ethical Practices

Origins does make efforts in other areas of sustainability and ethics. The brand promotes:

• Plant-based ingredients
• Sustainable sourcing
• Recycled packaging
• “Clean” formulations free of certain controversial ingredients
• Tree-planting initiatives

On their website, Origins highlights that their formulas are formulated without parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and other ingredients of concern, though it’s always good to check if specific products may contain other potential irritants not on this list. 

They also participate in recycling programs and environmental initiatives.

However, these positive actions don’t cancel out the animal testing issue. A truly ethical brand would commit to both environmental sustainability AND cruelty-free practices.

Navigating Misleading Marketing: How Brands Like Origins Greenwash

Origins exemplifies a common practice in the beauty industry called “greenwashing” – making products appear more ethical or environmentally friendly than they really are.

According to research by Provenance, the beauty industry has seen numerous high-profile cases of greenwashing in recent years Provenance.

Here’s how to spot greenwashing in Origins’ marketing:

1. Vague Language: Origins uses terms like “naturally derived” and “plant-based” without clear definitions
2. Selective Disclosure: Highlighting positive practices while downplaying animal testing policies
3. Nature-Based Imagery: Using green imagery and natural elements in packaging and marketing
4. Emphasis on “Clean”: Focusing on ingredient purity to distract from animal testing issues
5. Careful Wording: Note their animal testing statement says they don’t test “except where required by law.”

While China has made some changes to its animal testing laws in recent years, and some cosmetic companies can now export certain products without pre-market animal testing, many products still require it. 

Similarly, allowing companies to export and sell certain general cosmetics without pre-market animal testing doesn’t cover all product categories. 

A study published on CNN revealed that the $500 billion beauty industry often uses environmental claims as a marketing strategy without substantial backing. CNN

Consumer Guide: How to Verify Cruelty-Free Claims

To avoid being misled by beauty brands, follow these steps to verify cruelty-free status:

1. Check for Certification Logos: Look for Leaping Bunny or PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies logos
2. Visit Third-Party Websites: Consult resources like Cruelty Free Kitty, Ethical Elephant, or PETA’s database. When researching, be aware that some blogs may use affiliate links, through which they might earn a small commission if you make a purchase, but always prioritize information from trusted watchdog groups.
3. Read the Full Policy: Look for phrases like “except where required by law” or “unless required by law”
4. Check Parent Companies: Research if the brand is one of the brands owned by a larger corporation that tests on animals
5. Look for China Sales: Brands selling in mainland China physical stores likely allow animal testing
6. Ask Direct Questions: Contact the company and ask specific questions about their testing policies to ensure you get a clear answer.

According to recent surveys, 76% of consumers care about animal testing in cosmetics, but many don’t know how to verify claims properly.

Top Cruelty-Free Alternatives to Origins

Good news! You don’t have to sacrifice efficacy or quality skincare by choosing cruelty-free. Here are excellent alternatives to popular Origins products:

Other excellent cruelty-free skincare brands include:

• The Ordinary
• Paula’s Choice
• REN Clean Skincare
• Herbivore Botanicals
• Pacifica
• Mad Hippie

Many Reddit users, and those on platforms like Pinterest, have successfully transitioned from Origins to cruelty-free alternatives, often sharing their finds. 

One shared: “I loved Origins GinZing but switched to Pacifica’s Wake Up Beautiful line and honestly like it even better – plus no guilt about animal testing!” Reddit.

Conclusion

Origins is not cruelty-free in 2025. Despite their natural image and plant-based ingredients, the brand allows animal testing where required by law, particularly to sell in the Chinese market. Their parent company, Estée Lauder, maintains similar policies for most of its brands.

While Origins does offer vegetarian and vegan formulas and engages in some sustainable practices, these efforts don’t change the fact that animals suffer in testing for their products.

As consumers, our choices matter. By supporting truly cruelty-free brands, we send a powerful message that beauty shouldn’t come at the expense of animal welfare. The good news is that many excellent cruelty-free alternatives exist, making it easier than ever to build a skincare routine that aligns with your values.

Next time you’re shopping, look for those Leaping Bunny or PETA certifications, and know that you’re making a difference with every purchase.