Being more perceptive means confronting some not-so-comfortable facts about the unintended and unnecessary harm you may be doing. One spot where this is very evident is in the utilization of cosmetics and beauty products. Being cruelty-free is something that most users have a moral duty to uphold.
As you become more conscious of how your choices and actions have a direct impact on yourself, the individuals, and the world around you. Many skin care and cosmetic brands worldwide use animal testing, which is a perfect illustration of unnecessary damage. Animal testing is not acceptable.
If you are thinking about making more conscious decisions about the beauty products you buy, this is a perfect time. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to switch to cruelty-free products.
1. Don’t Throw Any Product Away
As a conscientious person, you may feel like throwing out any cosmetic that has been tried on animals. However, this is a terrible step! You have already endowed your hard-earned cash purchasing those products, and throwing them away will get you nowhere. It will generate unnecessary trash and harm the environment. If you don’t want to make use of those products anymore, consider giving them to women’s shelters or giving them to family or friends who might like using them.
2. Take Things Slowly
Changing one product at a time makes the task more cost-effective and manageable. When trying to purchase all new cosmetic products overnight, you might leave an empty bank account and have headaches reading small labels for an often-absent statement such as ‘cruelty-free’ or ‘not tested on animals.’ Try switching after your specific product is finished.
3. Follow The Bunnies
Once you begin discovering cruelty-free products, you are sure to be confused! That is why it is best to look for cruelty-free logos, such as the PETA cruelty-free, the Leaping Bunny, and the Choose Cruelty-Free emblem.
The Leaping Bunny logo refers to the gold standard in the community with zero cruelty, as is L-ascorbic acid with regards to vitamin C. Choose Cruelty-Free refers to an Australian organization that only recognizes cruelty-free brands in parent companies of CF.
You cannot blindly go by Peta because it accredits some trademarks that vend in China, where trying on animals is a requirement by law. However, what if a trademark that claims to have cruelty-free products doesn’t have a bunny logo?
- Businesses must pay an additional fee to display the cruelty-free logo on their items. And that is why you will find products that are licensed by PETA or Leaping Bunny but do not have the logo.
- If you cannot find the trademarks in these databases, they probably do not care or know how to get certified. This is especially the case for smaller brands.
4. Perform Your Research
When it comes to research, Google can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Always keep in mind the source from which you get your information. For example, if you search for “best lip balm” and come to that brand’s site, you might find a statement that they test on animals only when obliged by law, which means that they try the products on creatures and you can find a good alternative that does not test on animals at all.
Always try to check an external source. You will be amazed at how much facts cosmetics companies leave on their sites. Besides, there are many catalogs of cruelty-free cosmetic products online, including luxury brands and drugstores.
5. Be Positive and Patient
Any large-scale lifestyle modification can be overwhelming. Try not to view this change as a burden or dogma. When you are in the middle of the road with three distinct options in one hand and the list of cruelty-free products in the other, and you feel frustrated, breathe deeply, and remember why you made that decision.
Remember that you have decided to no longer extend your focus on instant gratification, but want to concentrate on how your deeds affect others and innocent lives.
If you are going to make modifications that will affect you positively, you should never forget that every act of compassion has a ripple impact. It just takes a small action to start a trend towards a significant change. If adequate people switch to non-animal beauty products, the demand will eventually be so huge that large organizations will have to stop testing on animals altogether.
