Is Estée Lauder Cruelty‑Free in 2025? Get Honest Facts

Estée Lauder stands as one of the most recognizable names in the beauty world. Founded in 1946, this global beauty giant has created countless iconic products loved by millions. 

But as more shoppers choose to care about the ethics behind their purchases, one question keeps coming up: Is Estée Lauder cruelty-free? 

This article cuts through the marketing speak to give you the honest, fact-based answer about Estée Lauder’s animal testing practices in 2025. You’ll learn exactly where the brand stands, what their policies actually mean, and what alternatives exist if you’re looking to shop cruelty-free.

Is Estée Lauder Cruelty-Free?

No, Estée Lauder is not cruelty-free in 2025. Despite claims that might suggest otherwise, Estée Lauder does not meet the standards required to be considered truly cruelty-free, especially since Lauder is available for sale in markets with mandatory testing. Here’s why:

• They sell products in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law for foreign imported cosmetics in China. Indeed, their products are available for sale in countries that mandate such testing.
• They allow third parties to test their products on animals in markets that require it.
• They lack certification from major cruelty-free organizations like Leaping Bunny and PETA.

Estée Lauder’s own website contains its animal testing statement, which acknowledges this reality: 

“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 law.” Source

This statement itself is an indicator of their ethical practices regarding this issue.

Does Estée Lauder Test on Animals?

When asking “Does Estée Lauder test on animals?” it’s essential to look beyond surface-level claims. Estée Lauder’s official stance appears contradictory at first glance. 

They state they “don’t test on animals and don’t ask others to test for us” but then acknowledge that their products are sold in countries where animal testing is mandatory.

Here’s what their policy actually means in practice: While Estée Lauder may not directly conduct animal testing in their own laboratories, they knowingly permit their products to be tested on animals in countries that legally require it, particularly mainland China, where mandatory animal testing for certain products persists.

As a major parent company, Estée Lauder Companies has a long history of animal testing. While their focus here is animal welfare, broader sustainability efforts are also common among large corporations. 

Over 30 years ago, they were among the first cosmetics companies to eliminate animal testing as a method of determining cosmetic product safety. Their website states: 

“From individual ingredients to final formulation, our integrated global R&D facilities use the most up-to-date, innovative, scientific, non-animal cosmetic testing evaluations to demonstrate safety and efficacy.”

However, this progress is undermined by their decision to sell in markets where animal testing is still mandatory. 

In essence, the company prioritizes global market access over a truly comprehensive cruelty-free commitment, a business decision common among large corporations in the beauty sector, not unlike dilemmas faced by giants such as Procter & Gamble or L’Oréal.

Why Estée Lauder Is Not Considered Cruelty-Free

To be genuinely cruelty-free, a brand must meet several key criteria and have a clear policy in place for each:

Product Testing on Animals

Brands must not test finished products on animals at any stage of product development. While Estée Lauder claims they don’t test finished products on animals themselves, they permit this testing when required by law in certain markets.

Ingredient Testing on Animals

No ingredients used in the products should be tested on animals, either by the company or its ingredient suppliers. Estée Lauder’s policy is less clear on this point, creating uncertainty about whether their suppliers test on animals or what raw materials may contain components with recent animal testing history.

Third-party Testing

No third parties should conduct animal testing on the brand’s behalf. Estée Lauder allows third parties (regulatory authorities in certain countries) to test their products on animals when required by law.

Testing Required by Law

Truly cruelty-free brands refuse to sell their products in regions where animal testing is mandated by law. Unlike these brands, Estée Lauder sells in mainland China, where animal testing may still be required for imported cosmetics from companies like Estée Lauder.

China’s Animal Testing Requirements

China has long required animal testing for foreign cosmetic products sold in physical retail stores. While there have been some regulatory changes in recent years, most foreign cosmetics companies selling in China still cannot avoid all forms of animal testing.

For a brand to sell in China without animal testing, they must meet ALL of these conditions:

• Only sell “general” cosmetics (makeup, skincare, haircare, nail polish, perfumes)
• Do not sell any “special” cosmetics like sunscreens or hair dye
• Do not sell products for infants or children
• Does not contain any “New Cosmetic Ingredients”
• Have a policy to recall products rather than allow post-market animal testing

Additionally, they must either:

• Manufacture products in China, or
• If manufactured outside of China, companies must obtain the proper safety certificates through approved channels.

There’s no evidence that Estée Lauder has taken these steps to avoid animal testing, including situations where post-market testing is required, while maintaining sales in China.

Is Estée Lauder Vegan?

It’s important to understand the difference between “cruelty-free” and “vegan.” Cruelty-free refers to products not tested on animals, while vegan means products contain no animal-derived ingredients, and a company might offer vegan options even if not fully cruelty-free.

Estée Lauder is not vegan. While they might offer some vegan products, they are not a 100% vegan brand. 

It’s important to check if all their products are vegan, if this is a concern, though many Estée Lauder products may contain animal-derived ingredients such as:

• Beeswax
• Lanolin (from sheep’s wool)
• Carmine (red pigment from insects)
• Collagen (often from animal sources)

Without cruelty-free certification, even products marketed as “vegan” cannot be considered truly ethical by most conscious consumers’ standards, as the company still engages in animal testing in some markets. 

Thus, it’s hard to endorse their vegan products even if they contain no animal derivatives.

Estée Lauder’s Position on China’s Animal Testing Laws

Estée Lauder is available in numerous retail locations throughout mainland China, and this market presence requires compliance with China’s animal testing regulations.

China’s animal testing laws have evolved somewhat in recent years, but these recent changes haven’t yet allowed all brands to avoid testing:

• Pre-2014: All cosmetics (foreign and domestic) required animal testing
• 2014: Domestically produced “general” cosmetics could avoid animal testing
• 2021: Some imported “general” cosmetics could potentially avoid pre-market animal testing under specific conditions
• Present day: Many exemptions exist, but most foreign brands still face animal testing requirements

Despite these changes, Estée Lauder has not publicly outlined specific steps they’ve taken to ensure their products avoid all forms of animal testing in China. 

The company appears to be working toward change through partnerships, but currently still participates in a system that involves animal testing.

Cruelty-Free Certification Status

Cruelty-free certification provides third-party verification that a brand truly avoids animal testing, although it’s theoretically possible for a brand to be fully cruelty-free without being certified; such verification adds a layer of trust. The two most recognized certification programs are:

Leaping Bunny (Cruelty Free International)

Leaping Bunny certification is considered the gold standard for cruelty-free products. It requires brands to adhere to strict criteria:

• Not conduct or commission animal testing of products or ingredients
• Obtain statements from suppliers confirming no animal testing
• Submit to independent audits
• Commit to fixed cut-off dates for animal testing

Estée Lauder is not Leaping Bunny certified.

PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies

PETA’s certification program also verifies a brand’s cruelty-free status, though its requirements are somewhat less stringent than Leaping Bunny’s.

Estée Lauder is not PETA certified. In fact, PETA explicitly lists Estée Lauder as a company that tests on animals with a clear warning: “Warning! This company DOES test on animals.”

Estée Lauder fails to meet certification criteria primarily because they allow their products to be sold in markets that require animal testing by law, making them a parent company that tests when its overall portfolio is considered. 

This disqualifies them from legitimate cruelty-free certification.

Estée Lauder’s Future Commitments and Partnerships

Estée Lauder has made some public commitments toward ending animal testing globally, though these have not yet resulted in a fully cruelty-free status:

Partnership with Cruelty Free International

In 2019, Estée Lauder Companies announced a partnership with Cruelty Free International aimed at “bringing animal testing for cosmetics to an end worldwide.” As part of this partnership, Estée Lauder committed to seeking Leaping Bunny certification for some of their Estée Lauder-owned brands.

According to Cruelty Free International: 

“By entering into a collaboration with Cruelty Free International, The Estée Lauder Companies is affirming a commitment to the universal acceptance of non-animal test methods with the goal of eliminating animal testing.”

Humane Society International’s #BeCrueltyFree Campaign

Estée Lauder has also partnered with Humane Society International on their #BeCrueltyFree campaign. HSI President Kitty Block stated: 

“I’m confident that by working together with beauty companies through our #BeCrueltyFree campaign, we can help bring an end to cosmetics testing on animals by 2023.”

Current Status of Commitments

As of 2025, these initiatives have resulted in some brands owned by Estée Lauder Companies being certified cruelty-free, including:

• Aveda
• Bumble and bumble
• DECIEM family of brands (including The Ordinary)
• LE LABO
• Smashbox
• Too Faced

However, the flagship Estée Lauder brand itself remains uncertified and continues to sell in markets that require animal testing, unlike some of its sister brands that may operate independently from the parent company’s broader animal testing policies in specific ways to achieve certification.

How to Verify a Brand’s Cruelty-Free Status

When researching whether a brand is truly cruelty-free, follow these steps:

1. Check for certification logos – Look for Leaping Bunny or PETA certification logos on packaging or websites
2. Read the full animal testing policy – Don’t just trust marketing claims; read the complete policy, as this is a good indicator of their ethical stance.
3. Watch for red flags in company statements:
   • “We don’t test on animals except where required by law.”
   • “We don’t test on animals ourselves.”
   • “We’re working toward ending animal testin.g”
4. Research market presence – Check if the brand sells in mainland China stores
5. Use trusted resources like Cruelty-Free Kitty, Ethical Elephant, or Logical Harmony; these sites often highlight when parent companies are not cruelty-free, even if some individual brands they own might be.
6. Contact the company directly with specific questions:
   • “Do you test finished products or ingredients on animals, either yourselves or through a third party?”
   • “Do you sell products in mainland China in physical stores?”
   • “Do you have certification from Leaping Bunny or PETA?”

Top Cruelty-Free Alternatives to Estée Lauder

If you’re looking to replace your favorite Estée Lauder products with truly cruelty-free options, here are some excellent alternatives:

High-End Alternatives

• Charlotte Tilbury – Luxury makeup with similar quality and aesthetic
• Hourglass – Premium complexion products and sophisticated color cosmetics
• Tarte – Wide range of high-performance cosmetics
• Fenty Beauty – Inclusive shade ranges and innovative formulas
• Tatcha – Luxury skincare inspired by Japanese beauty rituals

Affordable Alternatives

• e.l.f. Cosmetics – Budget-friendly and 100% vegan
• Milani – High-quality drugstore makeup with impressive performance
• Pacifica – Affordable vegan beauty products
• Covergirl – Now Leaping Bunny certified with accessible price points
• NYX Professional Makeup – Trendy, professional-grade cosmetics

Popular Estée Lauder Products and Their Cruelty-Free Dupes

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Despite some progress and partnerships aimed at ending animal testing globally, Estée Lauder is not cruelty-free in 2025. Their continued presence in markets that require animal testing by law, particularly mainland China, means that their products are still tested on animals in some capacity.

While Estée Lauder Companies has made commendable efforts to certify some of its brands as cruelty-free, the flagship Estée Lauder brand has not yet made this commitment. For consumers who prioritize cruelty-free beauty, there are many excellent alternatives from beauty brands that have taken a firm stance and have strict policies against animal testing.