Is The Ordinary Cruelty Free? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you’ve been exploring budget-friendly skincare options, you’ve probably come across The Ordinary. This brand has taken the beauty world by storm with its affordable, single-ingredient formulations and straightforward approach. But before adding their products to your cart, you might be wondering: 

Is The Ordinary cruelty-free? Let’s dive into the facts so you can make an informed choice about this popular skincare brand.

Is The Ordinary Cruelty Free?

Yes, The Ordinary is certified cruelty free. The brand does not test its finished products or ingredients on animals, nor do they ask third parties to test on their behalf. 

The Ordinary has been certified by both PETA and Leaping Bunny, which are the two most recognized cruelty-free certifications in the beauty industry.

Here’s what this means in simple terms:

• No animal testing on finished products
• No animal testing on ingredients
• No third-party testing on their behalf
• No selling in regions where mandatory animal testing is required by law

The brand’s parent company, DECIEM, clearly states on its website: 

“DECIEM does not test on animals and does not ask others to do so. DECIEM has been certified by Leaping Bunny with the Leaping Bunny stamp of approval, a widely recognized standard for personal care and household products.” Source

Does The Ordinary Test on Animals?

When it comes to animal testing, The Ordinary maintains strict policies against animal testing. They have confirmed their products are not tested on animals, nor do they:

• Test their ingredients on animals
• Allow suppliers to test ingredients on animals
• Ask third parties to conduct animal testing on their behalf
• Sell its products in countries where animal testing is required by law

According to their official statement, 

The Ordinary is committed to cruelty-free practices throughout its entire supply chain. This means they verify that their ingredient suppliers also don’t test on animals, creating a production process fully free from animal testing. Source

Cruelty-Free Certifications and Validation

The Ordinary has earned certifications from the two most trusted cruelty-free organizations, confirming they’re cruelty-free:

Leaping Bunny Certification

Leaping Bunny is considered the gold standard for cruelty-free certification. To earn this certification, brands must:

• Pledge not to conduct animal testing
• Verify that suppliers don’t test on animals
• Be open to independent audits
• Recommit to the program annually

The Ordinary received the Leaping Bunny certification through their parent company, DECIEM, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to cruelty-free practices. Source

PETA’s “Beauty Without Bunnies” Program

The Ordinary is also certified by PETA’s “Beauty Without Bunnies” program. PETA verifies that:

• The company doesn’t conduct animal testing
• Their suppliers don’t test on animals
• They don’t sell in markets requiring testing

According to PETA’s website, The Ordinary features their Global Beauty Without Bunnies logo, further confirming their cruelty-free status. Source

Is The Ordinary Vegan?

In addition to being cruelty-free, The Ordinary is also 100% vegan and cruelty-free. This means none of their products contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products.

It’s important to understand the difference between “cruelty-free” and “vegan”:

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

The Ordinary meets both criteria, confirming they offer vegan options suitable for those following a vegan lifestyle. 

All of their vegan products have been certified vegan by PETA, confirming they contain no animal-derived ingredients such as honey, beeswax, lanolin, or carmine. Source

Is The Ordinary a Clean Brand?

While The Ordinary is cruelty-free and vegan, experts have varying opinions on whether it qualifies as a “clean” brand. The term “clean beauty” isn’t regulated, so its meaning can differ depending on who you ask.

The Ordinary focuses on creating effective, single-ingredient formulations at accessible price points. However, some critics note that certain of The Ordinary’s products contain ingredients that may not meet everyone’s definition of “clean,” such as:

• Cyclopentasiloxane
• PEG (polyethylene glycol) compounds
• Synthetic components

According to Conscious Bunny, “The Ordinary is not considered a clean beauty brand. Its products still contain ingredients like tar, Cyclopentasiloxane, and PEG.” Source

However, The Ordinary is known for its transparency about the ingredient list and formulations, which many consumers appreciate even if not all products meet their personal definition of “clean”.

Parent Company Considerations: Estée Lauder

An important consideration for many cruelty-free shoppers is The Ordinary’s status as a brand owned by a parent company. The brand falls under DECIEM, which was fully acquired by Estée Lauder Companies in 2024; Estée Lauder owns DECIEM completely.

Timeline of Acquisition:

• 2017: Estée Lauder initially invested in DECIEM
• 2021: Increased stake to become majority owner
• May 31, 2024: Completed acquisition for an estimated $860 million, bringing the total investment to approximately $1.7 billion

This acquisition means The Ordinary is owned by Estée Lauder Companies, which raises ethical questions for some consumers because Estée Lauder Companies, the parent company that tests on animals where required by law for some of its other brands, is not considered cruelty-free. Source

It’s worth noting that Estée Lauder considers some of its brands to be cruelty-free, including:

• Aveda
• Bumble and bumble
• DECIEM family of brands (including The Ordinary)
• LE LABO
• Smashbox
• Too Faced. These are often cited as examples of brands owned by a parent company maintaining individual cruelty-free status.

Whether to support brands whose parent companies are not cruelty-free is a personal choice. Some argue that brands can operate independently from the parent company regarding testing policies, while others prefer avoiding any association. 

Supporting cruelty-free brands within larger companies encourages positive change for those who believe they can operate independently from the parent company on these issues.

The China Question: Animal Testing Requirements

China’s animal testing requirements have historically been a major obstacle for cruelty-free brands wanting to enter the Chinese market. Here’s what you need to know about recent changes:

China’s Animal Testing Laws:

• Until recently, all imported cosmetic products sold in physical stores in mainland China required pre-market animal testing for cosmetics.
• In 2021, China relaxed these requirements for “general” cosmetics (like skincare, makeup, and haircare), meaning animal testing may no longer be required under specific conditions.
• Some products can now be sold in China without animal testing under specific conditions.

The Ordinary has confirmed they do not sell their products in China through physical stores in the mainland, avoiding the animal testing requirements completely. 

According to their statement: “None of our brands or products are sold in stores or conventional retailers in mainland China, since such sales require animal testing for registration purposes.” Source

However, it’s worth noting that The Ordinary launched in China in early 2024, available at Sephora stores. 

It’s crucial for consumers to verify whether the brand adheres to cruelty-free practices even when entering complex markets like China, likely utilizing the new pathways that allow brands to sell without animal testing. Source

How to Verify Cruelty-Free Claims

When checking if a brand is truly cruelty-free, follow these steps:

1. Look for certifications: Trusted certifications include Leaping Bunny and PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program. The brand’s focus on certifications is a strong indicator of its ethical practices regarding animal welfare.
2. Check the brand’s animal testing policy: Look for clear statements confirming the brand is committed to being cruelty-free without compromise, meaning it does not test on animals, doesn’t use suppliers that test on animals, and doesn’t sell in countries requiring animal testing.
3. Research the parent company: Consider if the brand is owned by Estee Lauder or another conglomerate that tests on animals and decide if that matters to you.
4. Verify their China sales strategy: If a brand sells in China, investigate how they’re avoiding mandatory animal testing requirements.
5. Use trusted resources: Websites like Cruelty-Free Kitty, Ethical Elephant, and Conscious Bunny provide up-to-date information on brands’ cruelty-free status, noting that some companies can be fully cruelty-free even without being certified formally, though certifications provide stronger assurance.

The Ordinary’s Most Popular Cruelty-Free Products

The Ordinary has gained popularity for its effective, affordable skincare products. Here are some of their bestselling items, confirming The Ordinary is cruelty-free across its popular range:

1. Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% – A serum that helps reduce the appearance of blemishes and congestion. ($6.00)
2. Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 – A hydration support formula that attracts moisture to all layers of the skin. ($8.90)
3. AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution – A 10-minute exfoliating facial that improves skin texture and brightness. ($8.70)
4. Buffet – A multi-peptide serum targeting multiple signs of aging. ($15.80)
5. Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution – An exfoliating toner that improves skin texture and brightness. ($10.00)

These products are not only cruelty-free and vegan but also offer excellent value for their price point, making them accessible to a wide range of consumers.

Cruelty-Free Alternatives to The Ordinary

If you prefer not to support brands owned by Estée Lauder Companies, here are some comparable cruelty-free and independent alternatives, often considered brands like The Ordinary: Many comparable vegan brands exist as well.

These brands offer similar single-ingredient approaches, like those found in products like The Ordinary, and transparent formulations at comparable price points.

Controversies and Considerations

While The Ordinary has many positive attributes, there are some considerations to keep in mind:

Clean Beauty Perspective

Some ingredients in The Ordinary products may not align with everyone’s definition of “clean beauty.” The brand focuses on effective, science-backed formulations rather than exclusively using natural ingredients. While transparency is a good indicator of their ethical approach, it doesn’t automatically mean ‘clean’ or ‘sustainable’ by all definitions.

Parent Company Ethics

Since Estée Lauder Companies acquired DECIEM (The Ordinary’s parent company), some consumers question whether using the products indirectly supports animal testing by the larger corporation.

Balance of Price and Quality

The Ordinary offers extremely affordable products, leading some to wonder about the quality of ingredients. However, many dermatologists and skincare experts praise the brand for making effective, research-backed products accessible.

“Greenwashing” Concerns

While The Ordinary doesn’t heavily market itself as “green” or “natural,” some critics point out that the brand’s minimal packaging and straightforward approach might create an impression of sustainability or other ethical practices that isn’t fully reflected in all their practices.

Conclusion

The Ordinary is cruelty-free, certified by both Leaping Bunny and PETA, confirming they don’t test on animals at any stage of product development. The brand is also 100% vegan, offering vegan products even for those strictly avoiding animal derivatives.

However, The Ordinary is owned by Estée Lauder Companies, which is not considered cruelty-free as some of their other brands still test on animals where required by law. This parent company relationship is an important consideration for those choosing cruelty-free products who prefer to avoid all connections to animal testing.

When making purchasing decisions, consider what matters most to you—whether it’s certified cruelty-free status, vegan formulations, independent ownership, or other factors. The good news is that with increasing consumer demand for ethical products from any beauty company, there are more options than ever to choose products that align with your values.

FAQs About The Ordinary’s Cruelty-Free Status