Kerastase is a luxury haircare brand owned by L’Oreal that many people love for its high-end products.
As the conscious consumer increasingly cares about animal testing in the beauty industry, questions about whether Kérastase is cruelty-free and which brands test on animals have become very important.
This article gives you the clear facts about Kerastase’s animal testing policy, helping you make informed choices about the products you purchase.
Is Kerastase Cruelty Free?
No, Kérastase is not cruelty-free in 2025. This is a key point for anyone researching the Kérastase cruelty-free status.
Despite claims about caring for animal welfare, Kerastase allows its Kérastase products or ingredients to be tested on animals when required by law, meaning the brand may test on animals through third parties.
This means that while the brand might not directly conduct animal testing themselves, they permit third parties to test their products on animals in countries where local laws demand it.
| Kerastase Cruelty-Free Status: Key Points |
| ❌ Not certified by any cruelty-free organization |
| ❌ Sells in markets requiring animal testing |
| ❌ Owned by L’Oreal, a company that allows animal testing |
| ❌ Products may be tested on animals where required by law |
Does Kerastase Test on Animals?
Kerastase makes statements that appear to show they don’t test on animals. On their website, they claim:
“Kérastase does not test any of its products or any of its ingredients on animals. For more than 30 years, we have been committed to a world without animal testing.” Kerastase USA This commitment is often highlighted by the brand.
However, this statement is misleading and often considered controversial. While Kerastase itself might not directly conduct animal testing, the brand is owned by L’Oréal, which has a policy that allows animal testing when required by law; essentially, the parent company engages in animal testing under certain conditions.
According to L’Oreal’s full policy:
“Certain health authorities may nevertheless decide to conduct animal tests themselves for certain cosmetic products, as it is still the case in China.” L’Oreal
This means that Kerastase products can still be tested on animals in countries where local laws require it. For these reasons, major animal rights organizations like PETA list Kerastase as a brand that tests on animals. PETA
The L’Oreal Connection: How Parent Company Policies Affect Kerastase
Kerastase is owned by L’Oreal, one of the world’s largest beauty companies, making it part of L’Oréal’s extensive portfolio. When shopping for cruelty-free products, it’s important to look at the parent company’s policies too.
L’Oreal claims they don’t test on animals themselves and have been working on alternative testing methods. However, they make an important exception: they allow animal testing when local laws require it.
This is especially relevant for brands that sell their products in mainland China, where some imported cosmetics must undergo animal testing, and where Kerastase products are indeed sold in China.
Since Kerastase follows the same policy as L’Oreal, it cannot be considered truly cruelty-free. A genuinely cruelty-free brand would refuse to sell products in markets where animal testing is required by law.
China’s Animal Testing Requirements Explained
China’s animal testing laws are key to understanding why many brands aren’t considered cruelty-free. Until recently, all imported cosmetics sold in physical stores in mainland China required their products to be tested on animals as part of the registration process.
In 2021, China made some changes to these rules. Now, some “general” cosmetics (like shampoo and body wash) can avoid animal testing under certain conditions.
However, “special use” products and certain products in other situations may still require testing. Brands wishing to sell these items must comply with these regulations.
Here’s how China’s testing requirements work as of 2025:
- General cosmetics (shampoos, body products, makeup) may avoid animal testing if they meet strict documentation requirements and pass safety assessments
- Special-use cosmetics (like hair dye) may still require animal testing
- Post-market testing (testing products already on shelves) can still happen if safety concerns arise
Truly cruelty-free brands will either not sell in mainland China retail stores at all, or they will only sell through cross-border e-commerce, which doesn’t require animal testing.
Since Kerastase allows its products to be sold in markets where animal testing is required by law, it cannot be considered cruelty-free.
Cruelty-Free Certification Status
Kerastase does not have any recognized cruelty-free certifications. The most trusted cruelty-free certifications, such as those from PETA and Leaping Bunny, often come with a recognizable label on product packaging. These include:
| Certification | Requirements |
| Leaping Bunny | No animal testing at any stage of product development, including ensuring suppliers test on animals is not part of their process, annual recommitment, open to third-party audits |
| PETA Beauty Without Bunnies | No animal testing by the company, its suppliers, or authorized third parties |
| Choose Cruelty-Free | No animal testing, no selling in countries requiring animal testing, no animal-derived ingredients obtained by cruel methods |
These certifications are important because they verify a brand’s animal testing claims through outside checks. Kerastase is not certified by any of these organizations. In fact, PETA specifically includes Kerastase on its list of companies that do test on animals. PETA
Is Kerastase Vegan?
Many consumers interested in ethical products also explore vegan beauty options. So, is Kérastase vegan? The answer is that Kérastase is not vegan.
While a product can be vegan (meaning it does not contain animal-derived ingredients) without being cruelty-free, a truly ethical vegan product must also be cruelty-free. Some Kérastase products may still contain animal-derived ingredients, and the brand does not market itself as vegan.
Since Kerastase allows animal testing in some markets, even products without animal ingredients cannot be considered truly vegan from an ethical standpoint. The brand does not claim or market itself as offering vegan products.
It’s important to understand the difference between “cruelty-free” and “vegan”:
- Cruelty-free means no animal testing at any stage of production
- Vegan means no animal-derived ingredients in the product
For those looking for truly ethical hair care, it’s best to choose brands that are both cruelty-free and vegan.
Top Cruelty-Free Alternatives to Kerastase
If you want to switch from Kerastase and explore the world of cruelty-free hair care brands, here are some great alternatives for different budgets and hair needs. Choosing products from this list can be a great starting point:
Premium Alternatives
- Aveda: Owned by Estée Lauder but certified cruelty-free by PETA
- Pureology: High-end vegan hair care for color-treated hair
- Briogeo: Premium hair care with clean ingredients
- Oribe: Luxury hair care certified cruelty-free
Mid-Range Alternatives
- Living Proof: Science-backed hair care solutions
- Verb: Professional quality at accessible prices
- Amika: Colorful brand with products for all hair types
- Innersense: Clean, organic hair care
Budget-Friendly Alternatives
- Not Your Mother’s: Affordable products for various hair types
- Giovanni: Natural hair care at reasonable prices
- Acure: Budget-friendly organic hair care
- Maui Moisture: Tropical-inspired hair care at drugstore prices
Hair Concerns Comparison
| Hair Concern | Cruelty-Free Alternative | Key Benefits |
| Damage Repair | Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! | Deep conditioning, strengthening |
| Color Protection | Pureology Hydrate | Color-safe, sulfate-free |
| Volume | Living Proof Full | Lightweight volume without weighing hair down |
| Frizz Control | Aveda Smooth Infusion | Humidity resistance, smoothing |
| Scalp Care | Briogeo Scalp Revival | Exfoliating, balancing |
| Curly Hair | Innersense Quiet Calm Curl Control | Definition, moisture for all curl types |
These alternatives offer similar benefits to Kerastase but without animal testing, giving you ethical options without sacrificing quality.
How to Verify a Brand’s Cruelty-Free Status
When checking if a hair care brand is truly cruelty-free and not involved in animal cruelty, follow these steps:
- Look for certified logos: The Leaping Bunny, PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies, and Choose Cruelty-Free logos are the most trusted.
- Check parent companies: Some cruelty-free brands are owned by parent companies that test on animals. Decide if this matters to you.
- Investigate where they sell: Brands selling in physical stores in mainland China likely aren’t cruelty-free due to testing requirements.
- Read the full animal testing policy: Look for transparency from the brand. Watch for phrases like “except where required by law” – this means they allow testing in some markets.
- Use trusted resources: Websites like CrueltyFreeNow, Ethical Elephant, and PETA maintain updated lists of cruelty-free brands and are a good source of information.
Be careful of misleading language. Many brands claim they “don’t test on animals,” but their products still end up being tested by others on their behalf, or they sell in markets requiring animal testing.
Conclusion
Kerastase is not cruelty-free in 2025. Despite claims about not testing on animals, the brand permits animal testing where required by law, especially in markets like mainland China. As a L’Oreal-owned brand, Kerastase follows policies that allow for animal testing in certain situations.
For shoppers who care about animal welfare, switching to truly cruelty-free alternatives is the best choice. Many excellent hair care brands offer high-quality products without animal testing at all price points, often with a greater focus on sustainability as well.
By choosing cruelty-free hair care, you are supporting brands that take a sustainable stance against animal testing, often considering other ethical practices from ingredient sourcing to packaging, and help push the beauty industry toward more ethical practices and positive change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kerastase use animal testing?
While Kerastase claims they don’t test on animals themselves, they allow third parties to test their products on animals where required by law. This means they cannot be considered truly cruelty-free.
Is Kerastase made in China?
Kerastase products are primarily manufactured in L’Oreal facilities in countries like France and the US. However, they are sold in mainland China, where imported cosmetics may require animal testing.
Is Kerastase a clean product?
Kerastase doesn’t market itself specifically as a “clean” brand. Their formulas contain various ingredients, and consumers looking to avoid specific substances like paraben derivatives, or those prioritizing environmental impact and ingredients, may find Kerastase does not meet all “clean beauty” standards.
What is special about Kerastase?
Kerastase is known for its salon-quality, high-performance hair care products. The brand focuses on creating specialized treatments for different hair types and concerns, using advanced technology and premium ingredients. However, these benefits can be found in cruelty-free alternatives as well.