Is Shiseido Cruelty-Free? Shiseido is the largest cosmetics manufacturer in Japan and among the world’s top five by revenue, having outlets in almost 120 countries.
The company’s French subsidiary, BPI, manages fragrance licensing for Issey Miyake and other designers, and the company’s extensive line of luxury cosmetics, skin care, and professional hair care products has earned widespread acclaim throughout the world.
In 2016, it added the Dolce & Gabbana license to its arsenal. While Shiseido has business in a number of significant regions in the West, the Asia-Pacific region represents its primary focus, with China emerging as the company’s second largest market worldwide, behind only Japan.
In response to the firm’s lack of focus in the late 1990s, the corporation underwent a substantial reorganization of its portfolio, cutting the number of its brands from over 140 to around 30.
Shiseido’s archrival, Kao Corporation, now a larger firm overall but still smaller than Shiseido in the beauty industry, has been providing fierce competition in the home market, making this process more difficult.
To hasten the change, a new management team was brought in that same year (2014). But is Shiseido cruelty-free or do they test on animals? Keep reading to learn the answers.
Shiseido Animal Testing Policy
Shiseido’s animal testing policy can be found in the sustainability and customer satisfaction section of their website. Here is what it says:
“Shiseido has established a safety assurance system based on alternative methods and has discontinued animal testing in cosmetics/quasi drugs that are developed in April, 2013 or later. This excludes cases in which we must explain the safety to society.
We will continue to develop effective alternative methods in the future and proactively and sternly work with administrative agencies in various countries with the aim of establishing alternative methods as official methods (to be certified as official experimental methods according to laws and regulations of various countries/regions).”
In cases in which we must explain the safety to society
“This refers to cases in which we must prove again the safety of ingredients that are in the market and the only option in order to do so is animal testing, as well as cases in which animal testing is essential to assure the safety of cosmetics in some countries*.
*some countries: In China, in order to guarantee the safety of imported cosmetics, safety studies including animal testing may be required.”
Does Shiseido Test on Animals?
Yes, Shiseido does test on animals. They state they don’t test their products on animals but make the exception to satisfy Chinese health authorities.
Is Shiseido Certified Cruelty-Free?
No, Shiseido is not certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, PETA, or Choose Cruelty-Free.
In fact, Shiseido is listed on PETA’s list of brands to avoid.
Is Shiseido Sold in China?
Yes, Shiseido is sold in China. Here is a picture of some of their international locations.
What Companies Does Shiseido Own?
Below is a list of brands that are owned by Shiseido. I’ve indicated the ones that are sold in China and any certified cruelty-free brands.
The choice is yours on whether to boycott some or all of Shiseido’s brands. But I would err on the side of caution for the brands that have no information.
| Brands | Description |
|---|---|
| Ag Deo 24 | * |
| Anessa | SOLD IN CHINA |
| Aquair | SOLD IN CHINA |
| Aqua Label | * |
| Aupres | SOLD IN CHINA |
| bareMinerals | PETA CERTIFIED |
| Benefique | * |
| Buxom | * |
| Cle de Peau Beaute | * |
| Dolce & Gabbana | SOLD IN CHINA |
| D Program | SOLD IN CHINA |
| Elixir | SOLD IN CHINA |
| Haku | * |
| Integrate | * |
| Ipsa | SOLD IN CHINA |
| Issey Miyake | SOLD IN CHINA |
| Laura Mercier | * |
| Majolica Majorca | * |
| Maquillage | * |
| Narciso Rodriguez | SOLD IN CHINA |
| NARS | SOLD IN CHINA |
| Perfect Cover | * |
| Prior | * |
| Pure & Mild | SOLD IN CHINA |
| Sea Breeze | * |
| Senka | SOLD IN CHINA |
| Serge Lutens | * |
| Shiseido Professional | * |
| Shiseido | SOLD IN CHINA |
| Tsubaki | SOLD IN CHINA |
| Uno | * |
| Urara | SOLD IN CHINA |
| Za | SOLD IN CHINA |
Wrap Up: Is Shiseido Cruelty-Free?
No, Shiseido is not a cruelty-free cosmetics brand. In their animal testing policy, they state they do not test on animals. However, Shiseido chooses to sell in China, a country that requires imported cosmetics to be tested on animals.
Therefore, Shiseido is not considered to be cruelty-free 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!