Bath and Body Works has the phrase “Not Tested on Animals” on all of their products, but does that make them cruelty-free? No. There has been a lot of confusion on why Bath and Body Works is not cruelty-free since their packaging says “Not Tested on Animals.” Despite their claim, they are not a cruelty-free brand. Keep reading to find out why.
Bath and Body Works has the following claim on their website in their FAQ section today:
“Bath & Body Works policy prohibits the testing of our branded products, formulations and ingredients on animals except in rare cases when required by government regulations.”
Bath and Body Works has confirmed to me that they still sell in mainland China that requires their products to be tested on animals. This statement online also confirms this fact. Therefore, Bath and Body Works is not cruelty-free. Fortunately, there are many 100% cruelty-free brands that make a great alternative. For a full list of 100% cruelty-free bath and body brands, click here. Thank you for choosing cruelty-free and I hope this has cleared up any confusion regarding Bath and Body Works’ cruelty-free status.
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XO, Stephanie
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I recently received this DM from B&BW on Instagram. Are they cruelty-free or not? I’ve read so much conflicting information.
“Thank you for reaching out to Bath & Body Works – we apologize for any confusion. To clarify, Bath & Body Works prohibits the testing of our branded products, formulations, and ingredients on animals.
Currently, our products are not sold in any countries where animal testing is required by government regulation, such as China, nor have we announced plans to do so.
In addition, we support the Institute for In Vitro Sciences whose mission is to eliminate animal testing worldwide through the developments of non-animal alternative testing methods.”
This is a lie. Bath and Body works announced has exactly what I wrote above on their website. Now, on their website they announced that in 2019, they are going to pilot making product in China and selling that, claiming that it won’t be required to test in animals. However, all products sold in China are subject to animal testing at any time. And selling in China is not cruelty-free at this time. So sorry for the confusion the brand has caused you. 💖 Thanks for reaching out!
I totally agree with you! I just recently posted about b&bw saying it’s not cruelty free and one of my follower (who claims to be cruelty free/vegetarian) decided to shade me with her post showing a bottle claiming it is because because there was a label on it saying “not tested on animals”. But all products in China ARE tested on animals.
It’s not a lie…The Pilot shipping is to avoid animal testing…I try my best to avoid products that are not CRUELTY FREE, and cosmetics aren’t a necessity so there is absolutely no reason for anyone to still be using makeup and cosmetics that are tested on animals….I specifically started using B&BW products because they are CRUELTY FREE….Maybe they were not in the past but they are now…
I’m sorry this is so confusing, but I promise you they are not cruelty-free to this day.
This is BBW’s pilot program directly from their website: “The brand is expecting to pilot selling products in China during the summer of 2019. Any personal care products sold in China will be produced in China, which eliminates the Chinese government’s requirement for animal testing as that only applies to imported personal care products. Personal care products sold in the rest of the world are produced in North America, Europe and South Korea.”
Products made in China are still subject to animal testing if sold in China. They are neglecting to tell you about post-market animal testing, which is what ALL brands that sell in China are at risk of undergoing, no matter where the product has been produced. Any brand that sells in China IS NOT cruelty-free at this time. If you need more information on what Bath and Body Works is doing in China and how it is still not cruelty-free, visit this page on my website: https://www.freethebunnies.com/understanding-chinas-animal-testing-requirements/ It also explains this
“loophole” that BBW and other brands are trying to do so they can portray themselves as cruelty-free, when they truly are not. I hope this clears things up. If you need cruelty-free alternatives, there are SO many and I would be happy to help you out. But at the end of the day, if you are comfortable with supporting BBW, you have that choice.
So what you are saying is that there are no true ‘cruelty-free’ products if the brand is sold in China? Because the brand is somehow responsible for what happens with their products ‘post-market’, since they are making the decision to sell in China at all?
That is correct. All brands sold in stores in China are at risk of being tested on animals, and are not 100% cruelty-free.
https://customercare.bathandbodyworks.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1531
US Consumer Product Safety Commission nor the FDA requires animal testing for cosmetics. This is from the Website of their INvitro Testing company for their products.
Its not even required to test on animals. If they can’t test on themselves, especially their COO, they are no good. I just wrote them after following their wild goose breadcrumbs. I put them on mark for a battle comment.
Unbelievable. They still sell, for now, in England, an EU country, and the EU does not and has banned animal tested products. GO figure…
They are NOT VEGAN and they are NOT HONEST about it either.
Thank you for the clarification! I’ve been trying to go more and more cruelty-free as much as possible after becoming more and more concerned about the issue a couple of years ago. I love some of B&BWorks scents and happily purchased them in the past because I thought they were cruelty-free due to their misleading statement. Will be seeking other alternatives from your list link featured above, now! Thanks again! 🙂
You’re very welcome! That’s amazing you are wanting to switch to cruelty-free. Be sure to use the Ultimate Guide: Cruelty-Free Brands List whenever you’re out shopping for beauty items.
I totally understand where you’re coming from. It’s hard to shop when not all companies that actually are, announce they are cruelty free on their packages.