Have you ever wondered if animals must suffer for the best cosmetic products? Well, the answer is quite critical, but not otherwise. How come cruelty-free products exist?
The phrase may seem simple, but it isn’t; there are driving factors that persuade companies to incorporate such methods.
Animals have been of immense help to us in all sorts of products we use, especially to check their efficacy before they are originally rolled for our use.
Dive deep into this insightful study to become aware of the process, its alternatives, and the future course of action, leading to beauty without the beastly tests.
Why Do Companies Use Animal Testing?
Animal testing is a known method for experimenting with new ingredients on animals, which would be used in cosmetics later.
As newer products are developed frequently, the new ingredients used cannot always be safe. Animal testing is done to assess the safety of these new ingredients.
However, modern and better techniques and methods are now developed to be used rather than to opt for animal testing.
Which Animals Are Used for Animal Testing?
It is not that any animal can be put on the wrath of animal testing.
Specific protocols for this are essentially required to be adhered to. For more information on this subject, you can also explore our article about animals with ‘F.’
Commonly, the animals used in animal testing range from rabbits, rats, mice, and guinea pigs.
Other creatures also undergo similar testing. However, in most cases, these animals are used to assess the safety of product ingredients.
Once the testing is completed and the result is assessed, these animals are killed using certain methods like asphyxiation, neck-breaking, or decapitation.
Types of Tests Performed During Animal Testing
As seen previously and now, several tests are used on certain animals for testing. Here are some tests performed in animal testing:
- Skin and Eye irritation test: In this, new ingredients or chemicals to be used in products are applied to the shaved skin and eyes of the restrained animals. It is done to assess the reaction of the eye and skin to the ingredient or chemical.
- Lethal dose or LD50: In this test, the substance is given to the animal either orally, topically, intravenously, or through inhalation. This is done to assess how much of the substance can cause death.
- Repeated Dose Toxicity: Chemicals are given in repeated doses through force-feeding, which can last for months for results. It is done to assess health hazards, general illness, and effects on organs.
Alternatives to Animal Testing
With the development of modern techniques, newer and better methods are available to be chosen rather than just animal testing.
Around 50 non-animal tests are already available, and more are still being conducted.
These modern non-animal tests are better and more applicable to how we respond to cosmetics.
Also, these modern methods are efficient and cost-effective, making them a far better choice than animal testing, which was developed long ago.
Here are two prominent techniques used instead of animal testing:
- In-vitro Diagnostics: In-vitro diagnostics or IVD is the test in which human blood or tissue samples are used. This test is more rapid, precise, and efficient than animal testing.
- Computer Modeling: This is yet another modern way to test chemical substances. This technique includes using computers and samples, and thousands of experiments can be easily and quickly performed.
Is Animal Testing for Beauty and Skin Products Necessary?
No, there is no necessity for animal testing for beauty and skin products.
This is completely a chosen method of manufacturers, and they can use the modern and far better available options.
While many methods are developed, it is proven that modern non-animal tests are cost-effective and efficient, too.
The primary objective is to assess the safety of the ingredients used to prepare beauty and skin products.
How do I confirm my cosmetic products are cruelty-free?
Cruelty-free products are those products on which no animal testing is conducted in any way.
This label is only present in those beauty products that have not been subjected to animal testing by the manufacturer or suppliers.
Therefore, if your product is free from animal testing, you can confirm it by the cruelty-free label.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, ‘NO,’ animal testing isn’t required to showcase the cosmetics’ safety, and selling incorrectly labeled or adulterated cosmetics is prohibited.
With the advancement of technology, there are methods like in-vitro testing, computer modeling, and human-patient simulators, which effectively tell how harmful ingredients are on human skin.
These are quite expensive means of testing the products, which persuades companies to move to budget-friendly options like animal testing. What’s your opinion on animal testing? Comment down below!
