Is Olaplex Cruelty‑Free? 2025 Certification Facts Explained

Olaplex is a popular haircare brand known for its bond-building technology that repairs damaged hair. Many people love Olaplex for its effective results, but ethical shoppers want to know: Does this brand test on animals? Let’s look at the evidence to answer this important question.

Is Olaplex Cruelty-Free?

Yes, Olaplex is cruelty-free. The company has a strict no-animal-testing policy, with no exception, that covers all aspects of product development and distribution.

According to Olaplex’s official policy, the brand:

• Does not test their finished products on animals
• Does not test their ingredients on animals
• Does not allow suppliers to test on animals on their behalf
• Does not allow third parties to conduct animal testing for them
• Does not sell products in markets that require animal testing by law

Olaplex is also certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, which is considered the gold standard for cruelty-free certification. The brand received this certification in 2021, confirming its commitment to being 100% free from animal testing. Leaping Bunny

Does Olaplex Test on Animals?

No, Olaplex does not test its products or ingredients on animals at any stage of product development. The brand has publicly stated: 

“We NEVER test on animals and are completely non-toxic and free of silicone, sulfates, phthalates, DEA, aldehydes, and gluten,” Olaplex Facebook.

Animal testing can be cruel and distressing for the animals involved. It often includes:

• Skin and eye irritation tests
• Force-feeding studies
• Lethal dose tests

Many companies have moved away from animal testing because:

• It causes unnecessary animal suffering
• Modern alternative testing methods are often more accurate
• Consumers increasingly prefer cruelty-free products

Olaplex has chosen to use only cruelty-free testing methods for all their products, which is why they can confidently claim a fully cruelty-free status.

Olaplex’s Cruelty-Free Certifications and Verification

When looking for cruelty-free products, third-party certifications help verify a company’s claims. Olaplex has received certification from:

• Leaping Bunny: Olaplex is certified by Leaping Bunny, which requires brands to meet each strict criterion and undergo regular audits to maintain certification. Leaping Bunny certified Olaplex in 2021, confirming the brand meets their comprehensive standard of no animal testing Leaping Bunny.

While Olaplex is not officially listed in PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program, according to our research, the brand maintains a strong cruelty-free stance that aligns with the requirements of major certification organizations.

To verify any brand’s cruelty-free claims independently, a process which can sometimes seem complex, look for:

• Clear animal testing policies are readily available online on their website
• Third-party certifications
• Transparency about ingredient sourcing
• Absence from markets requiring animal testing

Is Olaplex Owned by a Parent Company That Tests on Animals?

No, Olaplex is not owned by a parent company that tests on animals. This is important because many cruelty-free brands are actually owned by larger corporations that continue to test on animals for their other brands.

Olaplex operates as an independent company, which means you can support them without indirectly supporting animal testing through a parent company. This makes Olaplex a good choice for ethical shoppers who prefer to avoid brands with connections to animal testing.

Is Olaplex Sold in China or Other Regions Requiring Animal Testing?

Olaplex does not sell its products where animal testing is required by law, for instance, in retail stores in mainland China or other such regions.

This is significant because until recently, China required animal testing for all imported cosmetics sold in physical stores. 

While some regulations have changed since 2021, many foreign companies that choose to sell their products where animal testing is stipulated by local authorities still have to comply under certain conditions.

According to Ethical Elephant, 

“Olaplex has confirmed they do not sell their products in retail stores in mainland China; therefore, they are not required to test on animals.” Ethical Elephant.

By avoiding these markets where such testing could be mandatory, Olaplex ensures its products remain completely cruelty-free throughout the entire supply chain and distribution process.

Is Olaplex Vegan?

Yes, Olaplex is 100% vegan. This means all their offerings are vegan products, containing no animal-derived ingredients or by-products.

It’s important to understand that “cruelty-free” and “vegan” are different terms:

• Cruelty-free means the products aren’t tested on animals
• Vegan means the products don’t contain animal-derived ingredients

Olaplex proudly claims both designations, making their entire product line suitable for vegans and anyone wanting to avoid animal-derived ingredients, Cruelty-Free Kitty. Many consumers around the world are increasingly seeking such options.

Many hair care products contain animal-derived ingredients such as:

• Keratin (from animal hair or horns)
• Collagen (from animal tissues)
• Lanolin (from sheep’s wool)
• Beeswax (from beehives)
• Silk proteins (from silkworms)

Olaplex formulates all its products without these or any other animal-derived ingredients.

Is Olaplex Clean?

Yes, Olaplex is considered a clean beauty brand. Their products are free from many harsh chemicals that some consumers prefer to avoid:

• No parabens
• No phthalates
• No sulfates (SLS/SLES)
• No DEA
• No aldehydes
• No gluten

According to Sephora, Olaplex products qualify for their “Clean at Sephora” designation Sephora.

While the term “clean beauty” isn’t regulated and can mean different things to different brands, Olaplex focuses on creating effective products without ingredients that have raised health or environmental concerns.

Olaplex’s Broader Ethical Commitments

Beyond being cruelty-free and vegan, Olaplex has made other ethical commitments:

Sustainability Initiatives

Olaplex has taken steps to reduce its environmental impact, striving to operate more sustainably globally:

• They limit secondary packaging to reduce waste
• According to their website, they’ve saved 91 million gallons of water
• They’ve eliminated 56 million pounds of greenhouse gases from being emitted
• They’ve protected 70,000 trees from being deforested.

Social Responsibility

Olaplex partners with several causes and organizations, including:

• WaterAid America
• Water For People
• Water.org
• One Tree Planted
• Retold Recycling

These partnerships demonstrate the brand’s commitment to environmental and social causes beyond their product formulations.

Top Cruelty-Free Olaplex Products Worth Trying

Olaplex offers several popular products that have become favorites among hair care enthusiasts:

1. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector – Their best-selling at-home treatment, powered by their unique bond-building science, that reduces breakage and visibly strengthens hair by repairing damage.
   
2. Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo – A sulfate-free shampoo that repairs and protects hair from everyday stresses.
   
3. Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil – A lightweight oil that increases shine, softness, and color vibrancy while providing heat protection up to 450°F.
   
4. Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask – A highly concentrated reparative mask that adds moisture and shine while smoothing hair.
   
5. Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum – Protects hair from pollution while providing frizz control.
   

How to Verify Cruelty-Free Claims for Any Beauty Brand

When researching any beauty brand’s cruelty-free status, follow these steps:

1. Look for certification logos: Check for Leaping Bunny or PETA certification.
   
2. Read the fine print: Some brands claim “finished product not tested on animals” but still test ingredients.
   
3. Check the parent company: Some cruelty-free brands are owned by companies that test on animals.
   
4. Investigate China distribution: Brands selling in physical stores in mainland China typically must comply with animal testing requirements.
   
5. Contact the company directly: Ask specific questions about their testing policies, ingredient sourcing, and third-party testing.
   

Red flags to watch for include vague statements like “we don’t test on animals except where required by law” or “cruelty-free when possible.”

Alternatives to Olaplex: Other Cruelty-Free Hair Care Brands

If you’re looking for other cruelty-free hair care options, consider:

1. Briogeo – A clean, cruelty-free brand with products for all hair types.
   
2. Pureology – 100% vegan and cruelty-free brand focused on color care.
   
3. Amika – Cruelty-free with many vegan options and fun packaging.
   
4. Verb – Affordable cruelty-free hair care with minimalist packaging.
   
5. SheaMoisture – Cruelty-free and focused on natural ingredients.
   
6. Paul Mitchell – A professional brand with a long-standing commitment to being cruelty-free.
   
7. Function of Beauty – Customizable, cruelty-free hair care products.
   

Conclusion

Olaplex is truly cruelty-free and 100% vegan. The brand does not test on animals at any stage of production, does not use animal-derived ingredients, and does not sell in markets that require animal testing. They are also certified by Leaping Bunny, which confirms their cruelty-free status.

For ethical shoppers concerned about animal welfare, Olaplex represents a good choice that doesn’t compromise on performance. Their commitment to being cruelty-free extends throughout their entire business model, from ingredient sourcing to distribution.

By choosing cruelty-free brands like Olaplex, you’re supporting companies that prioritize ethical practices and helping drive the beauty industry toward more humane testing methods.

FAQs About Olaplex and Cruelty-Free Beauty