Is MAC Cosmetics Cruelty-Free? In 2022, is MAC cruelty-free and vegan? MAC is a prominent cosmetics firm that offers over one hundred hues of makeup.
MAC Cosmetics is NOT Cruelty-Free!
When needed by law, MAC Cosmetics enables its products or ingredients to be tested on animals, including when sold in mainland China.
Additionally, MAC is owned by the parent business Estee Lauder, which is not cruelty-free.
MAC’s Animal Testing Policy
On their website, MAC states that they do not test on animals, however “certain countries need animal testing to demonstrate product safety before allowing us to sell our goods.”
The following image is a screenshot of what is currently mentioned on the MAC website.
Policies that state, “Some governments need animal testing before allowing us to market our products” typically indicate that the corporation is selling its products in mainland China. Because cosmetics sold in mainland China must undergo animal testing, this is the case.
Is MAC Sold in China?
Yes, MAC Cosmetics are available in mainland China retailers.
They write on their website, “China conducts animal testing as part of its evaluation of the safety of cosmetic products.” We cherish our supporters and never wish to exclude them.”
If MAC solely sells its cosmetics online, it is able to service and involve customers in China without conducting animal testing.
This is because cosmetics that are supplied directly to Chinese clients but are not sold in mainland China are not required to undergo animal testing. Nevertheless, MAC decides to sell in stores.
I captured the following screenshots from the company’s Chinese website, which clearly depict a number of stores in China that stock MAC Cosmetics:
But Doesn’t China No Longer Tests on Animals?
By choosing to manufacture its ordinary or general cosmetics in China, companies can avoid China’s pre-market animal testing requirements, however it is not specified anywhere that MAC Cosmetics has taken this route.
In addition, the prospect of doing post-market animal testing on some cosmetics sold in physical stores in China cannot be ruled out.
As of 1 May 2021, cosmetic businesses may export and sell their non-animal-tested standard or general cosmetics in China if they satisfy a list of prerequisites. However, achieving these requirements has been challenging, and it remains unclear exactly what the new regulations tolerate. So far, no company has been reported as having successfully accomplished this.
In 2022, the majority of cosmetics sold in China (such as MAC Cosmetics and Estee Lauder) are still required by legislation to be tested on animals, as indicated by the highlighted lines in the graph below.
Because MAC Cosmetics has decided to sell in mainland China, they must consent to and pay for animal testing of their products. In 2022, therefore, the majority of cosmetic brands sold in mainland China cannot be declared cruelty-free.
Although MAC may not be doing these animal testing directly, they deliberately let Chinese officials to do so in order to market its products in China.
According to our standards, MAC Cosmetics is not cruelty-free for these reasons.
Cruelty-Free Policies
Due to China’s animal testing rules, several really cruelty-free firms have chosen not to sell their products in China. Unfortunately, MAC Cosmetics refuses to follow suit and cannot therefore be declared cruelty-free.
At ethical elephant, we always use our Cruelty-Free Checklist to evaluate a company’s cruelty-free policies. This ensures that no animal research was conducted by the company, its suppliers, or any other third parties, even when required by law.
See below for our exhaustive list of cruelty-free products. Since MAC does not meet the latter two criteria, the brand cannot be considered cruelty-free.
Is MAC Cosmetics Cruelty-Free Certified?
MAC Cosmetics is not certified cruelty-free by third-party organizations such as Leaping Bunny or PETA.
Because MAC Cosmetics is not cruelty-free certified by a third party, no one investigates or verifies the company’s promises and claims.
Is MAC Cosmetics Owned By A Parent Company That Uses Animal Testing?
Yes. Estee Lauder, the parent company of MAC Cosmetics, continues to conduct animal experimentation in 2022.
Some cruelty-free consumers may prefer to purchase and support cruelty-free businesses owned by parent corporations that conduct animal testing in the expectation that this may persuade the parent company to become cruelty-free.
In this instance, MAC Cosmetics and its parent company Estee Lauder are NOT cruelty-free.
Are MAC Cosmetics animal-friendly?
In conclusion, in order to sell in mainland China, MAC Cosmetics must conduct animal testing on their products. We would thus NOT consider MAC a cruelty-free brand.
MAC Cosmetics is now included on our List of Brands to Avoid – Animal Tested.
Is MAC Cosmetics Vegan?
Since we do not consider MAC Cosmetics to be cruelty-free because their products are tested on animals when mandated by law, we do not consider any of their products to be vegan.
According to ethical elephant’s requirements, for products to be considered vegan, neither the products nor their ingredients may have been tested on animals anywhere in the globe. In addition, they cannot contain any ingredients or byproducts obtained from animals.
Alternatives to MAC That Are Cruelty-Free:
Interested in switching to cruelty-free brands? Here are some alternatives to MAC Cosmetics that are cruelty-free and vegan: Cruelty Free Brands
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.”