Finding makeup brands that don’t test on animals is important to many shoppers today. Fenty Beauty, Rihanna’s popular makeup line, gets lots of questions about its cruelty-free status. This guide gives you clear answers with facts from trusted sources. We’ll cover everything you need to know about Fenty Beauty and animal testing.
Is Fenty Beauty Cruelty-Free?
Yes, Fenty Beauty is cruelty-free. According to Fenty’s official FAQ, “Never. Fenty Beauty is a cruelty-free brand. We never test products or ingredients on animals, nor do we permit suppliers or retailers to conduct testing on our behalf.” Fenty Beauty
Multiple cruelty-free experts agree. Cruelty-Free Kitty confirms “Fenty Beauty is cruelty-free” after checking their policies. Ethical Elephant also lists them as cruelty-free in their 2023 review.
What Does “Cruelty-Free” Mean?
Cruelty-free means no animal testing happens at any stage. This includes testing on ingredients, during product creation, or on finished products. Companies also can’t ask other businesses to test on animals for them.
Evidence That Fenty Beauty Is Cruelty-Free
Here’s what makes Fenty Beauty cruelty-free:
- ✓ Finished products: No animal testing
- ✓ Ingredients: No testing on animals
- ✓ Suppliers: Don’t test on animals
- ✓ Third parties: No testing allowed
- ✓ Legal requirements: They don’t sell where animal testing is required by law
These facts come from Fenty’s official statements and reviews by Cruelty-Free Kitty and other trusted sources.
Does Fenty Beauty Test on Animals?
No, Fenty Beauty does not test on animals anywhere in the world. The brand has clear policies against all forms of animal testing.
Official Policy Details
Fenty Beauty’s policy covers every part of making their products:
- Company testing: Fenty Beauty never tests products or ingredients on animals
- Supplier testing: Their ingredient suppliers don’t test on animals either
- Third-party testing: They don’t allow labs or other companies to test for them
- Global policy: This applies everywhere they do business
Cruelty-Free Kitty confirms that “Fenty Beauty confirmed they do not test their products or ingredients on animals or ask others to test on their behalf.”
How Experts Verify This
Cruelty-free organizations check brands by:
- Contacting companies directly with detailed questions
- Reviewing official company policies
- Checking where products are sold
- Monitoring changes in laws and regulations
Fenty Beauty passed all these checks according to multiple sources.
Is Fenty Beauty Vegan?
Fenty Beauty is not 100% vegan. While most of their products are vegan, some contain animal-based ingredients.
According to Fenty’s official FAQ, “While many of the products are free of animal byproducts, Fenty Beauty is not considered a vegan line: A handful of our products may contain ingredients of animal origin.”
Common Animal Ingredients in Some Fenty Products
Some Fenty Beauty products may contain:
- Beeswax: Made by bees, used in some lip products
- Carmine: Red color from beetles, used in some red shades
The Filtery notes that “Some of their products contain certain animal-derived products such as beeswax and carmine.”
Fenty Skin Is Different
Unlike Fenty Beauty makeup, Fenty Skin is 100% vegan. All skincare products are made without animal ingredients, according to Ethical Elephant.
How Ethical Is Fenty Beauty?
Fenty Beauty gets high marks for being cruelty-free. However, some shoppers consider other factors too:
- Ingredient sourcing: The brand uses responsibly sourced ingredients
- Packaging: They work on more sustainable packaging options
- Inclusivity: Known for having 40+ foundation shades for all skin tones
- Social impact: Rihanna’s brand supports education through her foundation
Parent Company and Ownership
LVMH Ownership
Fenty Beauty is owned by LVMH through their subsidiary Kendo. LVMH is not a cruelty-free company because some of their other brands test on animals where required by law.
Cruelty-Free Kitty explains: “Fenty Beauty is owned by LVMH which is not a cruelty-free brand.”
Consumer Choice on Parent Companies
Shoppers have different views on supporting cruelty-free brands owned by companies that test:
Some consumers avoid these brands because:
- They don’t want to support any company that allows animal testing
- Money spent might indirectly fund animal testing
Others support these brands because:
- The individual brand (Fenty) is completely cruelty-free
- Supporting cruelty-free brands shows demand for ethical products
- It encourages parent companies to make all brands cruelty-free
Most cruelty-free shoppers choose to support brands like Fenty Beauty. Cruelty-Free Kitty states: “In the cruelty-free community, the majority of conscious consumers purchase from cruelty-free brands even if they’re owned by a parent company that tests on animals.”
China and Animal Testing Laws
Fenty Beauty’s China Strategy
Fenty Beauty entered the Chinese market in 2024 but maintains its cruelty-free status. This is possible because of recent changes in China’s animal testing laws.
Recent Regulatory Changes
China’s animal testing laws changed significantly:
- Before 2021: All imported cosmetics required animal testing
- 2021 onwards: Many imported cosmetics no longer require animal testing
- 2023 developments: China banned animal testing for all ordinary cosmetic products
- 2024: Fenty Beauty launched in China under these new rules
According to a Reddit discussion, “In 2023, China has officially banned animal testing for all cosmetic products, both domestically produced and imported.”
How Brands Stay Cruelty-Free in China
Brands can now sell in China without animal testing by:
- Only selling online (not in physical stores)
- Meeting specific regulatory requirements
- Using ingredients already approved as safe
- Following new import procedures
Cruelty-Free Kitty confirms: “Fenty Beauty is not sold where animal testing is required by law.”
Cruelty-Free Certification
No Third-Party Certifications
Fenty Beauty is not certified by PETA or Leaping Bunny. These are the two main organizations that give cruelty-free certifications to beauty brands.
Cruelty-Free Kitty states: “No, Fenty Beauty is not certified by any organizations.”
Why No Certification Doesn’t Mean They’re Not Cruelty-Free
Many cruelty-free brands choose not to get certified because:
- Certification costs money and takes time
- The process requires lots of paperwork
- Brands can be cruelty-free without official logos
- Some companies prefer to make their own statements
Ethical Elephant explains: “Fenty Skin is not certified by a third-party cruelty-free accreditation like Leaping Bunny or PETA” but confirms they are still cruelty-free.
How to Verify Without Certification
Experts verify cruelty-free claims by:
- Asking detailed questions about testing policies
- Checking where products are sold
- Reviewing company statements
- Monitoring changes in policies
This is exactly what organizations like Cruelty-Free Kitty do before adding brands to their approved lists.
Does Rihanna Still Own Fenty Beauty?
Rihanna still has significant involvement with Fenty Beauty but the brand is owned by LVMH. In 2017, Rihanna partnered with LVMH to create Fenty Beauty. She remains the creative director and face of the brand.
This partnership means:
- Rihanna controls the creative direction
- LVMH handles business operations and distribution
- The brand reflects Rihanna’s vision for inclusive beauty
- She continues to launch new products and campaigns
Consumer FAQs and Key Points
Does Fenty test on animals at all?
No. Fenty Beauty never tests finished products, ingredients, or allows suppliers to test on animals.
Are ingredient suppliers tested?
No. Fenty requires all suppliers to follow their no animal testing policy.
Can I trust Fenty to stay cruelty-free?
Yes. Their policy is clear and they’re regularly monitored by cruelty-free organizations.
What about other Fenty products?
Fenty Skin, Fenty Hair, and Fenty Fragrance all follow the same cruelty-free policy.
Key Statistics and Facts
- 40+ foundation shades: Shows commitment to inclusivity
- 2017 launch: Brand has maintained cruelty-free status since day one
- Multiple verifications: Confirmed by at least 3 major cruelty-free organizations
- Global availability: Sold in 50+ countries without requiring animal testing
- Product range: Over 100 products, most of which are vegan
What Makes Fenty Different
Fenty Beauty stands out because:
- Clear policy: No confusing language about animal testing
- Consistent messaging: Same cruelty-free stance across all products
- Transparency: Honest about which products contain animal ingredients
- Innovation: Creates new products without needing animal tests
- Influence: Shows other brands that cruelty-free can be successful
Conclusion / Key Takeaways
Yes, Fenty Beauty is cruelty-free in 2025. The brand has never tested on animals and maintains clear policies against all forms of animal testing. This includes testing by suppliers, third parties, or in any country where they sell products.
Important Points to Remember
- Official confirmation: Fenty’s own FAQ clearly states they never test on animals
- Expert verification: Multiple cruelty-free organizations confirm this status
- No animal testing anywhere: Policy applies globally, including in China
- Parent company consideration: While LVMH isn’t cruelty-free, Fenty Beauty itself maintains strict anti-testing policies
- Not 100% vegan: Some products contain animal-derived ingredients like beeswax
- No third-party certification: Fenty isn’t PETA or Leaping Bunny certified but remains cruelty-free
Making Your Choice
Whether to support Fenty Beauty depends on your personal values:
- If you want cruelty-free only: Fenty Beauty meets this requirement
- If you avoid parent companies that test: You might choose other brands
- If you want vegan products: Check individual product ingredients
- If you want certified brands: Look for PETA or Leaping Bunny logos
The cruelty-free beauty market continues to grow, with more brands like Fenty Beauty proving that successful cosmetics don’t require animal testing. By supporting cruelty-free brands, consumers help create a more ethical beauty industry for everyone.