Kiehl’s is a high-end skincare and bath and body brand found in malls around the world and is one of the most well-known brands in the field of premium skin care, hair care, and body care products.
Part of the L’Oréal Group, Kiehl’s has over 250 locations worldwide and over 1,000 points of sale in department stores and at airports. “Kiehl’s has been in the market since 1851. Since then, everything has revolved around healthy skin for us.
“Corporate philosophy includes the use of natural ingredients and the application of scientific knowledge and innovations so that the ingredients can work in the best possible way,” emphasizes Grace Edinger, Director, Digital Product Management.
But is Kiehl’s cruelty-free or do they test their products on animals? This article will answer all your questions.

Kiehl’s Animal Testing Policy
Here is an excerpt of Kiehl’s animal testing policy:
Our consumers’ health and safety have always been an absolute priority for L’Oréal. As is the support of animal welfare.
L’Oréal has developed a very rigorous safety evaluation procedure of its products, backed by research.
Well before the question of animal testing was raised by civil society or within a regulatory framework, L’Oréal has been committed to new methods of assessing safety that don’t involve animals.
A true pioneer, L’Oréal has been reconstructing human skin models in laboratories to elaborate in vitro safety tests since 1979, as an alternative to animals. In 1989, L’Oréal completely ceased testing its products on animals, thus 14 years before the regulation required so.
Today, L’Oréal no longer tests its ingredients on animals and no longer tolerates any exception to this rule.
Certain health authorities may nevertheless decide to conduct animal tests themselves for certain cosmetic products, as it is still the case in China.
L’Oréal has been the most active company working alongside the Chinese authorities and scientists for over 10 years to have alternative testing methods recognized, and permit the cosmetic regulation to evolve towards a total and definite elimination of animal testing.
Thanks to this, since 2014, certain products manufactured and sold in China like shampoo, body wash or make-up are no longer tested on animals.

Does Kiehl’s Test on Animals?
Yes, Kiehl’s does tests on animals. They state that they don’t test their products or ingredients on animals. However, they make an exception to comply with other countries’ regulations.
Is Kiehl’s Certified Cruelty-Free?
No, Kiehl’s is not certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, PETA, or Choose Cruelty-Free.
On PETA’s site, they are listed as a company that tests on animals.
Is Kiehl’s owned by a parent company?
Yes, Kiehl’s is owned by L’Oreal, a company that tests on animals.
Is Kiehl’s Sold in China?
Yes, Kiehl’s is sold in China. Here’s a picture of their Chinese website.

Wrap Up: Is Kiehl’ss Cruelty-Free?
No, Kiehl’s is not a cruelty-free brand. Their policy states that they make an exception to animal testing when required by law.
Kiehl’s chooses to sell its products in mainland China, a country that requires imported cosmetics to be tested on animals. Therefore, Kiehl’s is not considered to be a cruelty-free brand and will be added to my list of brands that test on animals.
How do you determine whether brands not cruelty-free?
A lot of brands don’t disclose their full animal testing policy. First, we get in touch with them to get the complete information. If any firm says that they, their suppliers, or any third party test on animals, the company is marked as “not cruelty-free.”
Cruelty-Free Products
This list has been crafted to help you shop for everything cruelty-free, even if you have a budget, no matter where you are. You can use the filters to pare down the list based on your preferences or needs. Check Our Best deals Cruelty-Free Products here!