Have you ever picked up an Innisfree product and wondered if it’s truly cruelty-free? You’re not alone. With so many beauty brands making different claims, it can be hard to know what’s really happening behind the scenes.
This article gets straight to the point about Innisfree’s animal testing policies in 2025, so you can shop with confidence and understand their commitment to ethical practices.
Is Innisfree Cruelty-Free?
Yes, Innisfree is officially cruelty-free in 2025. The brand received PETA’s “Beauty Without Bunnies” certification on February 1, 2024. This means Innisfree does not test finished products or ingredients on animals.
Their suppliers don’t test on animals either, and no third parties perform animal testing on their behalf; this makes it clear the brand is cruelty-free.
Being cruelty-free means a company doesn’t use animals to test the safety or effectiveness of its products. Instead, they use modern alternative testing methods that don’t harm animals. Many consumers specifically look for cruelty-free products when making purchasing decisions.
This certification marks a significant milestone for Innisfree.
According to their official statement:
“As a high-efficacy naturalism brand that harnesses the limitless power of nature, this achievement results from a long search for ways to deliver safe products to our customers without animal testing under the principle of respecting life.” This commitment solidified the journey for Innisfree to be cruelty-free. Innisfree
Does Innisfree Test on Animals?
No, Innisfree does not test on animals. The brand has confirmed that:
- They don’t test finished products on animals
- They don’t engage in animal testing for ingredients
- Their suppliers don’t conduct animal testing
- No third-party tests on their behalf
This applies to all their products sold worldwide, including those available online. The brand states: “That means neither we nor our suppliers conduct or commission tests on animals for any of our ingredients, formulas, or finished products.”
Furthermore, they don’t ask others to conduct animal testing for them.
It’s worth noting that while Innisfree previously had a complicated status regarding animal testing, their current policy is clear.
The brand is now verified to be free from animal testing across all aspects of its production and supply chain. They have strict policies against animal testing.
Is Innisfree Vegan?
No, it’s important to note that Innisfree is not vegan for all its products. While Innisfree is cruelty-free, not all of their products are vegan.
Some Innisfree products contain animal-derived ingredients. Many vegan brands also strive to be cruelty-free.
It’s important to understand the difference between “cruelty-free” and “vegan”:
- Cruelty-free means no animal testing
- Vegan means no animal-derived ingredients
Many Innisfree products are vegan, using no animal by-products whatsoever, and they clearly label items so consumers know they offer vegan products. Their vegan products are clearly labeled, making it easier for consumers who prefer to avoid animal ingredients.
Some consumers choose products that are both vegan and cruelty-free. Common animal-derived ingredients found in some non-vegan Innisfree products might include:
- Beeswax
- Honey
- Lanolin
- Carmine
If you’re looking for vegan options, check their vegan-labeled products like the Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Cream and Energy Sheet Masks, which are both vegan and cruelty-free. It’s great that they have vegan products even if the whole brand isn’t vegan. Innisfree
Certification Standards: Understanding the Credentials
Innisfree holds PETA’s “Beauty Without Bunnies” certification, which is one of the most recognized cruelty-free certifications in the beauty industry.
But what does this certification actually mean? It’s a good indicator of their ethical commitments.
PETA’s certification requires companies to:
- Not conduct animal testing on ingredients or finished products
- Not commission others to conduct animal testing
- Not sell in markets where post-market animal testing is required by law
However, PETA’s certification differs from the Leaping Bunny certification in some important ways:
| Certification | Independent Audits | Ingredient Supplier Checks | Parent Company Policy | Supply Chain Verification |
| PETA | Written agreement only | Required | Not considered | Less strict |
| Leaping Bunny | Required regularly | Required with audits | Considered | More comprehensive |
Leaping Bunny is considered more rigorous as it requires regular independent audits and checks the entire supply chain. It’s a common question whether companies can be fully cruelty-free without any certification.
While possible, certifications provide third-party verification. Some believe a brand can be fully cruelty-free without being certified, but it requires more consumer research.
As of 2025, Innisfree has PETA certification but not Leaping Bunny certification.
According to one Reddit user:
“The Leaping Bunny certification is very expensive to get and keep because it’s such an involved and detailed process. All of the manufacturers have to be audited.” Reddit
The China Question
Understanding China’s animal testing laws is crucial when determining if a brand is truly cruelty-free. As of 2025, here’s how the situation stands:
China has made significant changes to its animal testing requirements in recent years. Since May 2021, general cosmetics (like skincare, makeup, and haircare) can be sold in China without mandatory animal testing if companies meet specific conditions, though the landscape for cosmetics in China remains complex.
- Products qualify as “general” rather than “special” cosmetics
- The company provides a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certificate
- The company submits safety assessment documents
Importantly, Innisfree has confirmed they are not sold in mainland China as of 2025, avoiding the animal testing requirements entirely.
This is a key factor in their cruelty-free status, as selling in physical stores in mainland China would previously have required animal testing. Many brands struggle with the issue of testing while selling in China.
Parent Company AmorePacific and Animal Testing
Innisfree is owned by a parent company, AmorePacific, a major Korean beauty conglomerate that owns many other brands, including:
- Sulwhasoo
- Laneige
- Etude House
- COSRX (since 2023)
- And several others
AmorePacific’s stance on animal testing has evolved over time.
They state: “Since 2008, Amorepacific has voluntarily ceased conducting animal testing. As of 2013, we have also prohibited all forms of animal testing.” AmorePacific
However, the parent company policy includes a notable exception:
“If obligated by law or regulatory bodies for reasons of safety, however, limited exceptions may apply.”
This means AmorePacific as a company isn’t considered fully cruelty-free since they may allow animal testing where required by law. This is a common issue where parent companies are not cruelty-free, even if individual brands are.
This creates an ethical dilemma for consumers. While Innisfree itself is cruelty-free, its parent company that tests under certain conditions may be a concern for some.
In July 2023, AmorePacific joined the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS), a global initiative for animal-free safety assessment, showing a commitment to alternative testing methods.
Timeline of Innisfree’s Cruelty-Free Journey
Innisfree’s path to becoming cruelty-free hasn’t been straightforward. Here’s how their policy has evolved:
| Year | Milestone |
| Pre-2024 | Listed by PETA as testing on animals due to their presence in markets that require animal testing |
| February 1, 2024 | Received official PETA “Beauty Without Bunnies” certification |
| 2025 | Continues to maintain cruelty-free status with no products sold in mainland China; they strictly prohibit animal testing in their own operations. |
This journey reflects broader changes in the cruelty-free beauty industry, with more companies moving away from animal testing as consumer demand for ethical products grows.
The February 2024 PETA certification marked a turning point for the brand. According to Innisfree’s statement:
“Innisfree acquired the Cruelty-Free certification ‘Beauty Without Bunnies’ from the global animal rights organization PETA on February 1, 2024.” Innisfree
Innisfree’s Clean Beauty and Sustainability Initiatives
Beyond being cruelty-free, Innisfree has embraced broader clean beauty and sustainability practices. They are committed to providing quality products that also align with these values.
Ingredient Policy: Innisfree’s “innisfree-clean” standard means their products are formulated without:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Formaldehydes
- Triclosan
- Triclocarban
- Talc
- SLS/SLES
- Gluten
- Coal tar
- BHT
Packaging Initiatives: The brand is working to reduce environmental impact through:
- Using recycled plastic and glass in packaging
- FSC-certified paper for all secondary (outer) packaging
- Soy ink for printing
- Refill options for some products to reduce packaging waste
Recycling Programs: Innisfree supports sustainability through recycling programs:
- TerraCycle Partnership – Free recycling of empty Innisfree packaging
- Beauty (Re)Purposed at Sephora – Drop-off points at Sephora stores
- Eco-conscious product disposal guidance
According to Innisfree:
“We believe in hitting replay on resources, collecting and transforming used bottles into new packaging! Together, we can keep our skincare empties out of landfills.” This dedication extends to providing quality products worldwide. Innisfree
Top Cruelty-Free Alternatives to Innisfree
If you’re looking for cruelty-free K-beauty alternatives to Innisfree, here are some excellent cruelty-free options:
COSRX – Known for gentle formulations and effective skincare, especially for acne-prone skin
- Price range: $10-30
- Best products: Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Purito – Focuses on clean, simple formulations with sensitive skin in mind
- Price range: $15-25
- Best products: Centella Green Level Unscented Serum, Green Cleansing Oil
Klairs – Minimalist approach with effective, gentle formulations
- Price range: $20-30
- Best products: Supple Preparation Facial Toner, Midnight Blue Calming Cream
Beauty of Joseon – Combines traditional Korean ingredients with modern formulations.
- Price range: $15-25
- Best products: Glow Serum, Relief Sun SPF 50+
Benton – Natural ingredients with a focus on sensitive skin
- Price range: $15-25
- Best products: Snail Bee High Content Essence, Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
How to Verify Cruelty-Free Claims Yourself
With so many brands claiming to be cruelty-free, it’s important to know how to verify these claims yourself. Here’s a simple guide:
- Check for certifications
- Look for PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies or Leaping Bunny logo.s
- Visit certification websites to confirm the brand is listed as certified cruelty-free.
- Read the full animal testing policy. cy
- Check if it addresses ingredients, finished products, and third-party testing, ensuring that their suppliers test on animals is also prohibited.
- Look for language about testing “required by law,” which often indicates testing in some markets.
- Research their market presence.e
- Determine if they sell in mainland China in physical stores. Some brands find ways to enter the chinese market without compromising their cruelty-free status, typically by avoiding physical retail.
- Online-only sales in China don’t require animal testing
- Watch for red flags in language like:
- “We don’t test on animals except where required by law.”
- “We’re working toward becoming cruelty-free.”
- Vague statements that don’t address all forms of testing, ng, or whether they conduct animal testing for us via third parties.
- Use trusted resources
- Check databases like Cruelty-Free Kitty, Ethical Elephant, or Logical Harmony.
- These sites thoroughly research brands’ animal testing policies
Common Questions About Innisfree’s Cruelty-Free Status
Does Innisfree sell in Mainland China?
No, as of 2025, Innisfree does not sell products in China’s physical stores, which allows them to maintain their cruelty-free status.
Is Innisfree greenwashing?
While some consumers have questioned Innisfree’s claims in the past, their PETA certification provides verification of their cruelty-free status. Their clean beauty standards and sustainability initiatives appear to be genuine efforts rather than greenwashing. Innisfree may continue to expand these efforts.
Does Innisfree test on animals when required by law?
No, Innisfree has confirmed they do not test on animals even when required by law. This is why they don’t sell in markets where post-market testing is required.
Is Innisfree Leaping Bunny certified?
No, as of 2025, Innisfree is certified by PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program but does not have Leaping Bunny certification. Although Innisfree has PETA, some consumers prefer Leaping Bunny.
Which Innisfree products are vegan?
Many Innisfree products are vegan, including their Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Cream, Energy Sheet Masks, and Cherry Blossom Glow Jam Cleanser. Look for the “Vegan & Cruelty-Free” label on product descriptions. For questions about specific products or ingredients, please feel free to contact Innisfree directly.
Bottom Line
In 2025, Innisfree stands as a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand that does not test on animals, regardless of market requirements. Their February 2024 certification marked a significant turning point, and they maintain this status by avoiding sales in regions that require animal testing.
While Innisfree itself is cruelty-free, consumers should be aware that the company Innisfree is owned by, AmorePacific, may allow animal testing in limited circumstances where required by law.
This creates an ethical consideration for those who prefer to avoid brands owned by companies that allow any form of animal testing. Many consumers look for brands like Innisfree that are cruelty-free, but may also scrutinize parent company policies.
For those seeking cruelty-free K-beauty options, Innisfree offers a wide range of products free from animal testing. Alternatively, brands like COSRX, Purito, Klairs, and Beauty of Joseon provide excellent cruelty-free alternatives.