Is Philosophy Cruelty-Free?

For years, this skincare brand was avoided by the cruelty-free beauty community. Does Philosophy test on animals? Is Philosophy cruelty-free in 2023?

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I have been hearing about Purity Cleanser or Hope in a Jar Moisturizer from Philosophy forever. As much as the good reviews were intriguing, the brand’s animal testing status was not. For years they stated that their products were tested on animals when required by law. This kept cruelty-free consumers away from Philosophy as a brand. Like most, I was hopeful that one day the brand would change their stance.

In April 2023, Philosophy and Cruelty-Free International (CFI) announced that Philosophy was now certified as cruelty-free through their Leaping Bunny program!! Read more about the brands animal testing stance, vegan product options, and the brands take on being cruelty-free in this post.

Popular cruelty-free Philosophy products:

Image via Philosophy on Instagram.

Is Philosophy cruelty-free? Yes! Philosophy is cruelty-free!

Philosophyis cruelty-free. Philosophy does not test on animals.

Philosophy meets all the criteria to be a Logical Harmony Approved cruelty-free brand. There is no animal testing occurring anywhere on their products. They are not selling in any markets that require animal testing, and they do not sell in retail stores in China.

• Are the ingredients used in Philosophy products tested on animals? No. Philosophy does not use ingredients that are tested on animals.
• Are Philosophy products tested on animals during production? No. Philosophy products are not tested on animals during production.
• Are Philosophy finished products tested on animals? No. Philosophy finished products are not tested on animals.
• Are Philosophy products sold in markets that require animal testing? No. Philosophy products are not sold in markets that require animal testing.
• Do any third-party groups test Philosophy products on animals? No. Philosophy products are not tested on animals by any third-party groups.
• Is Philosophy certified cruelty-free by any organizations? Yes. Philosophy is certified through the Cruelty-Free International Leaping Bunny program.
• Is Philosophy owned by a company that tests on animals? Philosophy is owned by Coty, and they are not cruelty-free.
• Where is Philosophy sold? On their own website, Ulta, Sephora, Kohl’s, Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, and QVC.

Is Philosophy Vegan? No.

Philosophy does not test on animals but is not a fully vegan brand. This means that they do make products that contain animal or animal-derived ingredients.

Philosophy Vegan Product List:

The following are vegan-friendly products from Philosophy.

This list will be kept as up-to-date as possible and you can reference the last updated date above. Remember that ingredients may change over time, and new launches may happen. So you may want to read the ingredient lists on the packaging before purchasing.

• Cira Complex Recovery Moisturizer
• Hope In A Jar Smooth Glow Multitasking Moisturizer
• Microdelivery Exfoliating Face Wash
• Skin Rehab Balm with Wheatgrass
• Skin Reset Serum with Bakuchiol

Is Philosophy certified cruelty-free by any organizations?

Philosophy is certified through the Cruelty-Free International Leaping Bunny program. This certification is difficult to get. CFI does a very thorough vetting process of the brand and ingredient suppliers and checks for any potential animal testing at any level.

“We began our partnership with Coty in 2018, and I’m delighted to continue the latest phase of that with Leaping Bunny approval for the philosophy brand. It’s such a crucial time for iconic brands like philosophy to demonstrate their commitment to a skincare industry based on kinder science. Welcome to the Leaping Bunny family!” – Michelle Thew, Cruelty Free International CEO

Joining the Leaping Bunny Program requires a big commitment from the brand and lets you know that they are serious about their cruelty-free status.

“At Coty, we know that consumers don’t want to make trade-offs; they want efficacious, kind to the skin, and cruelty free skincare. As the original feel-good beauty brand, philosophy believes in a better approach to beauty. We are thrilled that philosophy has joined the ranks of other Coty brands which are approved under the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny Programme.” – Constantin Sklavenitis, Coty Chief Prestige Brand Officer 

Who owns Philosophy?

Philosophy is owned by Coty. Coty is not cruelty-free. For some, this keeps the brand off the table despite their own policy changes.

Supporting a cruelty-free brand that is owned by a parent company that tests on animals is something there are different thoughts on. Some avoid these brands, some think supporting them sends the parent company a message about cruelty-free, and some are just happy to get any products accessible to them that avoid animal testing. I think it’s an area where everyone should decide what is best for themselves.

Where is Philosophy sold?

You can find skincare and fragrance from Philosophy on their own website, Ulta, Sephora, Kohl’s, Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, and QVC.

As reported by Business Wire, this certification and new formulas for Philosophy could start to signal a comeback of sorts for the brand. Or, at the very least, a pivot.

Philosophy products used to take up lots of valuable retail space in Sephora stores all across the US. Now they are now one of the cruelty-free brands at Ulta and are only available only in Sephora stores outside the US. As a long-time skincare consumer watching the brand from afar, I personally felt that they didn’t do a great job of finding a new customer base. They seemed to focus on customer retention over expanding their customer base.

With the retail economy changing, and consumers becoming more and more socially conscious, it seems like an interesting time for the brand to announce such a big change in its animal testing policy. But, one that I am always welcome to.

At the end of the day, regardless of motives, I think it’s always great when a brand goes cruelty-free. Especially when they take the extra steps to get certified by an organization like the Cruelty-Free International Leaping Bunny program.

Popular cruelty-free Philosophy products: