Is Colorgram Cruelty Free? Unbiased Review & Alternatives

Colorgram has taken the beauty world by storm with its cute packaging and trendy makeup. But if you care about animal welfare, you might be asking: Is Colorgram really cruelty-free? 

Let’s break down everything you need to know about this popular Korean beauty brand.

Is Colorgram Cruelty Free?

The short answer: Colorgram claims to be cruelty-free, but lacks third-party certification.

According to Colorgram’s own statements, neither their final products nor their ingredients are tested on animals. On some product listings like their Fruity Glass Tint on Amazon, they even label products as “cruelty-free.” However, there’s a significant gap between their claims and verified proof.

Colorgram is not certified by any major cruelty-free organizations like Leaping Bunny or PETA. This lack of certification doesn’t automatically mean they test on animals, but it does mean their cruelty-free claims haven’t been independently verified.

When the website Conscious Bunny reached out to Colorgram to confirm their cruelty-free status, they did not receive a response, placing the brand in a “gray area” regarding their animal testing policies.

Does the Colorgram Test on Animals?

According to their product descriptions and marketing materials, Colorgram states that they do not test their products or ingredients on animals. 

For example, their Rosy Tone Up Powder is marketed as “CRUELTY-FREE” with the claim that “both the final product and the ingredients are NOT tested on animals.”

However, without third-party verification or detailed information about their supply chain, consumers must rely solely on the company’s word. This is problematic because:

1. There’s no way to verify if their ingredient suppliers follow the same standards
2. Their testing policies might change without notice
3. The definition of “cruelty-free” can vary between companies

Colorgram’s parent company, CJ Olive Young Corporation, does not appear to have a public animal testing policy that covers all their brands.

Understanding Cruelty-Free Certification

Cruelty-free means that a product and its ingredients were not tested on animals at any stage of development. But since this term isn’t legally regulated, many companies create their own definitions.

This is why third-party certifications are so important. The main cruelty-free certifications are:

• Leaping Bunny: The gold standard for cruelty-free certification, requiring companies to implement a supplier monitoring system and agree to independent audits.
• PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies: Requires a signed statement that the company and its suppliers don’t conduct animal testing.
• Choose Cruelty Free: An Australian certification now part of Cruelty Free International.

Colorgram doesn’t hold any of these certifications, which means their claims haven’t been verified by independent organizations.

Does Colorgram Sell in Mainland China?

It’s unclear whether Colorgram sells products in mainland China.

This matters because until recently, China required animal testing for all imported cosmetics sold in physical stores. While laws have changed somewhat since 2021, many products still require animal testing in China.

To be truly cruelty-free while selling in China, brands must:

• Sell only “general” cosmetics (not “special” products like sunscreens or hair dye)
• Avoid selling products for infants or pregnant women
• Have policies to recall products rather than allow post-market animal testing
• Either manufacture in China or obtain proper safety certificates

Currently, there’s insufficient information about whether Colorgram sells in China or how they navigate these requirements if they do.

Is Colorgram Vegan?

Colorgram is not a 100% vegan brand.

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

• Cruelty-free means no animal testing
• Vegan means no animal-derived ingredients

According to research by Conscious Bunny, Colorgram products may contain animal-derived ingredients, making the brand not fully vegan. While some individual products might be vegan, the entire line is not.

Many consumers are confused about this distinction. A product can be cruelty-free (not tested on animals) but still contain ingredients like beeswax, carmine (crushed beetles used for red coloring), or lanolin (derived from sheep’s wool).

Colorgram Product Line Review

Colorgram is known for several popular products:

Fruity Glass Tint ($9-11): Their bestseller is a glossy, long-lasting lip tint with a juicy finish. It’s marketed as “vegan and cruelty-free” on some platforms, though the vegan status varies by shade.

All-In-One Aegyo-Sal Maker ($11): A popular eye makeup product that creates the “cute eye bag” look popular in Korean beauty.

Re-Forming Contour Stick ($10): An easy-to-blend contour stick for face sculpting.

These products have gained popularity for their affordability, cute packaging, and good performance. However, from an ethical perspective, the lack of clear information about their testing policies and ingredient sourcing remains a concern.

How Colorgram Compares to Other K-Beauty Brands

When comparing Colorgram to other Korean beauty brands on ethical practices:

Many truly cruelty-free alternatives exist in the K-beauty space. Brands like COSRX, Purito, Klairs, and TonyMoly have PETA certification and don’t sell in markets requiring animal testing.

Understanding Cruelty-Free Beauty in South Korea

South Korea doesn’t have explicit laws against animal testing for cosmetics, unlike the European Union, which banned it completely. However, the Korean market has been shifting toward cruelty-free practices due to:

1. Global market pressure: The need to sell in markets where animal testing is banned
2. Consumer awareness: Growing demand for ethical products
3. Alternative testing methods: Development of reliable non-animal testing methods

Many Korean brands now proudly advertise their cruelty-free status, but regulations remain less strict than in other regions. The lack of clear legal requirements makes third-party certification even more important for Korean brands.

Over the last three years, new product launches in South Korea’s beauty market featuring ethical claims—such as environmentally-friendly packaging—have nearly doubled, rising from 13% in 2020 to 24% in 2023. Source

This surge reflects a growing consumer consciousness around ethical and sustainable issues, which is driving a socially responsible response from K-beauty brands as they innovate in packaging, ingredients, and eco-friendly formulations.

Making Informed Choices About Colorgram

Based on all available information, here’s what we know about Colorgram:

Positives:

• Claims to not test on products or ingredients on animals
• Labels some products as cruelty-free and vegan
• Has affordable price points with good product performance

Concerns:

• No third-party cruelty-free certification
• Lack of transparency about selling in markets requiring animal testing
• Not a 100% vegan brand
• Limited information about their supply chain

If you’re strictly committed to supporting only certified cruelty-free brands, you might want to choose alternatives like COSRX, Purito, or Klairs that have clear certifications. However, if you’re comfortable with Colorgram’s claims without certification, their products might still align with your values.

Conclusion

Colorgram claims to be cruelty-free but lacks the third-party certification that would verify these claims. While they state that neither their finished products nor ingredients are tested on animals, the absence of certification from organizations like Leaping Bunny or PETA makes it difficult to fully confirm their status.

For consumers who prioritize proven cruelty-free practices, it may be better to choose brands with established certifications. However, if you’re willing to take Colorgram at their word, their products might still fit your ethical standards.

The most important thing is to make choices based on your personal values and the level of verification you require. As consumer demand for ethical products grows, hopefully more brands like Colorgram will pursue certification to provide customers with clearer information about their practices.

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