Is Sol de Janeiro Cruelty-Free? Complete 2025 Guide

Sol de Janeiro has captured hearts with their Brazilian-inspired beauty brand offerings, using some of the finest globally sourced ingredients to create their signature tropical scents. But if you care about making kind choices for animals and avoiding cruelty, you might be wondering: Is this popular brand truly cruelty-free? 

This guide will answer all your questions about Sol de Janeiro’s animal testing policies, vegan options, and clean ingredients. We’ll also look at their parent company and sustainability efforts to help you make a fully informed choice.

Is Sol de Janeiro Cruelty-Free?

Yes, Sol de Janeiro is cruelty-free, a fact certified by PETA. This means the brand does not test its finished products or ingredients on animals at any point during product development or production. 

As Sol de Janeiro claims on their official website: “Since launching in 2015, our products have never been tested on animals. Sol de Janeiro is 100% PETA-certified animal test-free.” Sol de Janeiro Help Center 

Sol de Janeiro proudly displays PETA’s “Global Beauty Without Bunnies” logo on their products and website, showing their commitment to cruelty-free beauty.

Does Sol de Janeiro Test on Animals?

No, Sol de Janeiro does not test on animals. Their commitment ensures their products are not tested on animals, meaning:

• No testing on finished products
• No testing on raw ingredients
• Not allowing others to test on their behalf
• No supplier testing
• No testing in regions where animal testing is required by law, as they avoid animal testing in such markets.

This complete ban on testing products on animals has earned them PETA certification. Sol de Janeiro has strict policies against animal testing. 

While some brands claim to be “cruelty-free” with exceptions, Sol de Janeiro has taken a firm stance against all forms of animal testing.

Parent Company: L’Occitane and Animal Testing

In 2021, L’Occitane Group acquired a majority stake in Sol de Janeiro, valuing the company at $450 million. This means Sol de Janeiro is now owned by a parent company, which raises questions for some consumers since L’Occitane’s cruelty-free status is complicated. 

L’Occitane as a company states: “The L’OCCITANE Group does not test its products, active ingredients or raw materials on animals at any point in the product development or manufacturing process.” Source

However, PETA lists L’Occitane as a company that tests on animals. This contradiction exists because L’Occitane, a parent company that tests according to PETA, sells products in mainland China, where animal testing may be required for some imported cosmetics.

This creates an ethical dilemma for conscious consumers: Is it okay to support Sol de Janeiro, now that Sol de Janeiro is owned by a parent company like L’Occitane, which may not be fully cruelty-free at the group level? 

It can be complex when brands owned by larger corporations have different policies, and particularly when those brands owned by a parent are linked to entities not sharing their cruelty-free commitment. There’s no perfect answer, and it comes down to personal values.

Some shoppers choose to support certified cruelty-free brands like Sol de Janeiro because they believe these brands often operate independently from their parent companies in their ethical commitments, and supporting them sends a message about consumer demand for ethical products, even if their parent companies are not cruelty-free. 

They may view Sol de Janeiro as continuing to operate independently from the parent company regarding its animal testing policies. The fact that Sol de Janeiro is owned by a company with a different PETA status highlights this common dilemma, as L’Occitane is not a cruelty-free brand in PETA’s view.

Sol de Janeiro and the Chinese Market

China has historically required animal testing for imported cosmetics due to its animal testing laws, making it impossible for brands to be both cruelty-free and sell their products in mainland China, as this would often mean submitting their products to be tested. 

However, Sol de Janeiro has maintained its cruelty-free status by not having Sol de Janeiro products sold in mainland China, where mandatory animal testing might be required for its products in China. 

According to Conscious Bunny: “Sol De Janeiro is not sold in China or any other countries where animal testing is required by law. The brand is sold in Hong Kong and online to Chinese customers (where animal testing is not required).” Conscious Bunny 

This shows Sol de Janeiro’s commitment to its cruelty-free values even when faced with potential market expansion opportunities.

Is Sol de Janeiro Vegan?

While Sol de Janeiro is thoroughly cruelty-free, it is not 100% vegan yet, but they’re getting close, aiming to join the ranks of fully vegan brands! 

The distinction between cruelty-free and vegan is important; cruelty-free refers to no animal testing, while vegan means no animal-derived ingredients. 

According to their official website: “All products are PETA certified vegan except Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butters, which contain beeswax (Sol de Janeiro will be 100% vegan by spring 2025).” Sol de Janeiro Clean Philosophy 

This means almost all Sol de Janeiro products are suitable for vegans, and they are likely working on plant-based and synthetic alternatives for ingredients like beeswax. This means almost all of Sol de Janeiro’s products are suitable for vegans, and they offer vegan options across most categories. 

They have many vegan products even in their best-selling lines. Here’s a breakdown of their vegan product range:

Vegan Body Care Products:

• Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (their bestseller)
• Beija Flor Elasti-Cream
• Bom Dia Bright Body Cream with Vitamin C
• Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream Gel
• Bum Bum Body Scrub
• Rio Deo Aluminum-Free Deodorants

Vegan Hair Care Products:

• Brazilian Glossy Nourishing Anti-Frizz Hair Oil
• Brazilian Joia Strengthening + Smoothing Shampoo
• Brazilian Joia Strengthening + Smoothing Conditioner
• Brazilian Joia Milky Leave-in Conditioner
• Triple Brazilian Butter Hair Repair Treatment Mask

Vegan Fragrances:

• All Sol de Janeiro perfume mists, including their popular Cheirosa ’62, ’68, and ’40 scents

The only non-vegan products are their lip butters, which contain beeswax. The good news is that by Spring 2025, Sol de Janeiro plans to reformulate these products to make their entire line 100% vegan.

“Clean” Ingredient Philosophy

Sol de Janeiro follows a clean beauty approach by avoiding harmful ingredients in the products made under their name. 

According to their website, they have banned over 100 cosmetic ingredients from their formulations, ensuring their products are made with skin and environmental consciousness.

They are transparent about their formulations, and if they were to use specific minerals, such as mica, consumers would expect clarity on sourcing, given that mica is a mineral that can sometimes be associated with ethical concerns like the mining of natural mica. 

While the brand doesn’t explicitly detail every single mineral, like saying “we use all-natural mica in our products,” their overall commitment to clean and ethical sourcing suggests a responsible approach to all ingredients.

Ingredients They Avoid:

• No parabens
• No formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing agents
• No phthalates or bisphenols
• No sulfates (including sodium lauryl sulfate)
• No mineral oil or petroleum
• No microplastics
• No palm oil
• No aluminum salts

Their products are also:

• Dermatologist tested for skin irritation and allergies
• Compliant with California Prop 65
• Compliant with EU and UK Cosmetic Regulations
• Compliant with the Hawaiian Reef Bill

This focus on clean ingredients not only benefits your skin but also has less environmental impact compared to products containing harmful chemicals.

Ethical Sourcing and Sustainability

Sol de Janeiro is committed to sustainability throughout its product lifecycle. They state:

“Embracing natural beauty is a big part of Brazilian culture. As a company inspired by the country’s inclusive attitude, which includes a deep connection to natural wonders like the Amazon rainforest, it’s our responsibility to uphold the celebration of both people and planet.” 

The brand emphasizes that its ethical sourcing ensures that its partners share our commitment to these values.

Their sustainability practices include:

• Responsible Packaging: Developing all plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable, recoverable, and/or made with renewable materials
• Eco-Friendly Manufacturing: Manufacturing all cartons at wind facilities to maintain carbon neutrality. (While this details carton manufacturing, for overall product manufacturing, some brands choose to be made in the US for various reasons, though Sol de Janeiro focuses on global sourcing for ingredients and specific ethical manufacturing practices like their carbon-neutral cartons.)
• Sustainable Materials: Converting all cartons and cardboard to Forest Stewardship Council-certified sources
• Ethical Ingredient Sourcing: Sourcing ingredients based on product lifecycle and impact on community and agriculture
• Waste Reduction: Using 98% non-chlorine-bleached paperboard and/or non-solvent-based inks on all paper components

Additionally, Sol de Janeiro gives back through initiatives like upcycling unused plastic into musical instruments for Brazil’s Mangueira samba school.

How to Verify Cruelty-Free Claims

When checking if a brand is truly cruelty-free, use this mental cruelty-free checklist:

1. Third-Party Certification: Look for logos from PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program or Leaping Bunny certification. This certification is often a good indicator of their ethical stance.
   
2. Clear Policy Statements: A truly cruelty-free brand will clearly state that they don’t test on animals at any stage of product development, and that no testing is performed by the brand or on its behalf. This transparency is a key indicator of their ethical practices.
   
3. Global Market Presence: Check if they sell in countries that require animal testing, like mainland China (for some products).
   
4. Parent Company Research: Investigate if their parent company follows the same cruelty-free standards.
   
5. Ingredient Checking: Some ingredients may have been tested on animals in the past, though the company itself doesn’t test. It’s good to know that companies can be fully cruelty-free even with this historical context for certain common ingredients, focusing on current practices. Some may even argue it’s possible to be fully cruelty-free without being certified, though certification offers stronger assurance.
   

For up-to-date information, you can always check databases like PETA’s list of cruelty-free brands or resources from CrueltyFreeNow.

Bottom Line

Sol de Janeiro proudly stands as a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand that never tests on animals, offering a wide array of cruelty-free products. While not completely vegan yet, they’re working toward a fully vegan line by Spring 2025, with only their lip butters currently containing animal-derived ingredients (beeswax).

Their commitment extends beyond animal welfare to clean formulations and sustainable practices. However, their ownership by L’Occitane Group, which PETA lists as a company that is not cruelty-free, presents an ethical consideration for some consumers.

Ultimately, how you choose products is a personal decision. By supporting cruelty-free brands offering products like Sol de Janeiro’s, you’re voting with your dollars for a beauty industry that values both gorgeous products and compassionate practices. 

Their success shows that brands don’t need to sacrifice effectiveness or sensory experience to be kind to animals and the planet. If you have more specific questions, feel free to contact us or the brand directly for further clarification.

FAQs About Sol de Janeiro’s Cruelty-Free Status