Is Hempz Cruelty Free? Leaping Bunny Certified & Vegan 2025

Hemp seed oil has become a star in skincare over the past few years. But if you care about making ethical beauty choices, you might be wondering: Is Hempz cruelty-free? 

This article gives you clear answers about Hempz’s animal testing policies and ethical practices, confirming that Hempz is cruelty-free.

Is Hempz Cruelty Free?

Yes, Hempz is confirmed cruelty-free. This demonstrates that companies can be fully cruelty-free when they genuinely commit. 

This means the brand follows all the key requirements:

• They don’t test finished products or ingredients on animals.
• They don’t hire third parties to test on their behalf.
• Their suppliers don’t perform animal testing; indeed, neither do their suppliers engage in such practices anywhere in the world.
• They don’t sell in markets that require animal testing by law.

This commitment, reflecting their strict policies against animal testing, makes Hempz a solid choice for consumers who want to avoid supporting animal testing with their beauty purchases.

Hempz Cruelty-Free Certification

Since 2020, Hempz has been officially certified by Leaping Bunny, an organization widely considered the gold standard for cruelty-free certification in the beauty industry. 

While it’s possible for a brand to be fully cruelty-free without being certified, this official endorsement from a respected body like Leaping Bunny or PETA helps make it easy for consumers to identify genuine commitments. 

This certification isn’t easy to get, as Leaping Bunny thoroughly vets each applicant; it means Hempz had to:

1. Prove they don’t conduct animal testing at any stage.
2. Get all their suppliers to verify they don’t test on animals.
3. Agree to regular audits of their supply chain to ensure ongoing compliance.
4. Recommit to the program annually and adhere to strict evolving standards.

The Leaping Bunny certification is important because, unlike some other cruelty-free symbols, it requires ongoing compliance and regular checks. 

This is a good indicator of their ethical commitment, making it more trustworthy than self-made claims or less rigorous certification programs, and is a key indicator of their ethical practices.

Does Hempz Test On Animals?

No, Hempz does not test on animals in any way. They do not test their finished products on animals, nor do they test their products or ingredients on animals at any stage of development. 

Their cruelty-free status isn’t just a marketing claim – it’s backed up by their official Leaping Bunny certification and public statements.

According to their official FAQ page: 

“Yes, we are proudly Leaping Bunny certified. This internationally recognized certification guarantees that our products are cruelty-free and have been made without causing suffering or pain to animals.” Hempz

This means Hempz avoids all types of animal tests, including:

• Skin irritation tests
• Eye irritation tests
• Lethal dose tests
• Any other tests that could harm animals

In today’s beauty industry, animal testing isn’t necessary to create safe products. Instead, Hempz relies on:

• Human cell testing
• Computer modeling
• Testing on artificial skin
• Using ingredients with long safety records

Hempz and China’s Animal Testing Requirements

Many cruelty-free brands lose their status when they enter the market in mainland China, as the country has historically mandated animal testing for imported cosmetics. This is often a situation where testing is required for companies wishing to sell in physical stores. But Hempz has maintained its cruelty-free status by choosing not to sell in regions that would require it to perform mandatory animal tests.

Recent changes in China’s laws have created some new paths for truly cruelty-free brands to sell there, but the rules are complex. As of this writing, Hempz appears to be avoiding markets that would compromise their no-animal-testing commitment.

Is Hempz Vegan?

Yes, Hempz is 100% vegan. This means all their products are vegan, and none of their products contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products. 

They offer vegan options across their entire range, providing vegan products even for those with specific preferences.

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

• Cruelty-free = no animal testing
• Vegan = no animal ingredients

Hempz checks both boxes, making it suitable for consumers avoiding all animal-derived products.

Common animal ingredients that Hempz avoids include:

• Beeswax
• Lanolin (from sheep’s wool)
• Carmine (red pigment from insects)
• Honey
• Animal-derived glycerin

Instead, they use plant-based alternatives that provide similar benefits without using animal products.

Is Hempz’s Parent Company Cruelty-Free?

According to research from Cruelty-Free Kitty, “Hempz is not owned by a parent company that tests on animals.” Cruelty-Free Kitty

This is important because many smaller beauty brands owned by larger corporations (where the parent companies are not cruelty-free, such as Estee Lauder or Procter & Gamble) may indirectly contribute to animal testing. 

Even if the smaller brand itself is cruelty-free, some consumers are concerned about overall corporate funding going to a parent that tests. 

However, Hempz appears to be owned by TSG Consumer Partners, a private equity firm that is not directly involved in animal testing, allowing Hempz to operate independently from the parent in this regard.

For ethically-minded shoppers, this means your Hempz purchase isn’t indirectly supporting animal testing through a parent company’s practices. 

Many shoppers choose to boycott brands if the parent company tests, while others choose to support brands that operate independently from the parent company regarding their ethical policies, thus maintaining their cruelty-free integrity.

Hempz’s Clean and Ethical Ingredients

Beyond being cruelty-free and vegan, Hempz offers additional benefits for conscious consumers. The brand aims for ethical sourcing, and consumers often look for assurances that ingredients are ethically sourced without child labor. 

While specific information on every ingredient, like mica, would require detailed supply chain verification, the ideal is that all components are sourced without child or forced labor. 

This commitment means ensuring production without child or forced labor at any stage, a goal for all responsible brands.

Key product benefits include:

• Paraben-free: All products are made without these controversial preservatives
• Gluten-free: Suitable for those with gluten sensitivities
• Free from harsh sulfates and phthalates: Avoiding ingredients that can be irritating or potentially harmful
• THC-free hemp seed oil: Contains beneficial cannabis sativa seed oil without psychoactive compounds

According to their website: 

“All of our products contain plant-based ingredients, and we use natural ingredients whenever possible.” Hempz

However, it’s worth noting that Hempz is not considered a fully “clean” brand by some standards.

Hempz’s Broader Ethical Commitments

Beyond their cruelty-free and vegan status, Hempz has made additional ethical commitments, meeting an important criterion for many conscious consumers. They demonstrate a sense of corporate responsibility through:

1. Sustainability: Hemp is considered a sustainable crop that requires less water and fewer pesticides than many other crops
2. Plant-based focus: Their product formulations prioritize plant-derived ingredients
3. Natural ingredients: They use natural ingredients when possible, though they aren’t a fully natural brand

Their commitment to using hemp seed oil also supports more sustainable farming practices compared to some other cosmetic ingredients.

Best Cruelty-Free Hempz Products

Based on customer reviews and ratings, here are some of Hempz’s most popular cruelty-free products, often available through their online store and various retailers:

1. Original Herbal Body Moisturizer: Their classic bestseller with the signature floral-banana scent
2. Sweet Pineapple & Honey Melon Herbal Body Moisturizer: A fan favorite for its tropical fruit scent
3. Triple Moisture Herbal Whipped Body Crème: For those needing extra hydration
4. Age-Defying Herbal Body Moisturizer: Contains anti-aging ingredients and hemp seed oil
5. Star Dust Body Moisturizer with Shimmer: Adds a subtle glow while moisturizing

For sensitive skin, their fragrance-free options provide all the benefits of hemp seed oil without added scents.

FAQs About Hempz’s Cruelty-Free Status

Final Thoughts

Hempz earns its place as a truly cruelty-free and vegan brand. With their Leaping Bunny certification since 2020, they’ve demonstrated a serious commitment to avoiding animal testing at every level of production. Savvy shoppers choose brands like Hempz for these ethical stances.

Their 100% vegan formulations, combined with their avoidance of parabens and other controversial ingredients, make them a good choice for ethically-minded consumers. While not a fully “clean” brand by all standards, their focus on beneficial hemp seed oil and plant-based ingredients gives them several advantages over many mainstream body care brands.