Which MLM Companies Are 100% Cruelty-Free?

Multi-Level Marketing, or network marketing, has become one of the top-performing strategies for the sale of products or services since social media. Many entrepreneurs become an MLM distributor to make an additional income. Sometimes it even turns into a full-time, flexible career. Having a flexible career that brings in mass amounts of income, milestone rewards and recognition can look very appealing. Heck…. I even joined one back in the day! You can read more about my personal experience here.

Anyway, because MLMs are so popular, you may have had someone reach out to you about their makeup or skincare. I have seen SO many brands try to tell me that the brand is “totally cruelty-free!” But how can you tell if the distributor has really done their research to confirm that they’re 100% cruelty-free? Because of this, it can be difficult to fully understand what the brand means by its cruelty-free claim.

Below is a list of MLMs that are truly 100% cruelty-free per the Free The Bunnies standard. Any brand listed as cruelty-free has absolutely no ties to animal testing. The brand must meet ALL of the following criteria:

They do not test on animals during any part of production
They do not order materials from any third party vendor who tests on animals
They do not have third parties test their products on animals on their behalf
They do not sell their products in countries that require animal testing (i.e. mainland China)
They are not owned by a parent company who tests on animals

Also, before I dive into this, something you must know:

ALL PRODUCTS SOLD IN CHINA ARE SUBJECT TO POST-MARKET ANIMAL TESTING, WHETHER THEY ARE IMPORTED OR LOCALLY MANUFACTURED. CHINA IS NOT CRUELTY-FREE AT THIS TIME.

Alright, let’s get to it.

Multi-level Marketing Companies Cruelty-Free Statuses

SeneGence – Cruelty-free

Their products and ingredients are not tested on animals. They don’t sell in countries that require animal testing by law. They are individually owned.

Avon – NOT cruelty-free

Avon has the following statement on their website. The brand finances animal testing where required by law.

Respect for animal welfare is a cornerstone of Avon’s product safety philosophy. In fact, Avon was the first major cosmetic company to end animal testing nearly 25 years ago and we do not test on animals today. Instead, we use non-animal product safety testing methods. Unfortunately, a few countries require additional safety testing, which may include animal testing. Avon, in partnership with other organizations, works to help advance government acceptance of alternative non-animal testing methods. But if a compromise cannot be reached, we must comply with the testing required by local law.

Mary Kay – NOT cruelty-free

Mary Kay sells in countries that require animal testing by law and is not cruelty-free.

Younique – NOT cruelty-free

Younique claims that they are cruelty-free to anyone that asks. They claim that they do not test on animals, and neither do their suppliers. However, before deleting it, Younique had the following animal testing statement on their website. Younique is not considered a cruelty-free brand at this time.

Younique does not test our products on animals. However, Younique has not conducted an in-depth cruelty-free review tracing each ingredient back to such ingredient’s original source at this time.

Beautycounter – Cruelty-free

Beautycounter is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny. It is not owned by a parent company that tests on animals.

Arbonne – NOT 100% cruelty-free

Arbonne is PETA certified cruelty-free and vegan. If you’ve read some of my previous posts, you know that the PETA certification cannot always be trusted. However, this certification is legitimate. Arbonne does not test their products and ingredients on animals. They also don’t sell in countries that require animal testing by law. Arbonne is cruelty-free, BUT they are unfortunately owned by parent company Yves Rocher. Yves Rocher is not cruelty-free. Yves Rocher allows animal testing to occur and sells their products in countries that require animal testing by law. Arbonne is not 100% cruelty-free per the Free The Bunnies standard.

The Body Shop – Cruelty-free

Some may not know this, but The Body Shop does have an MLM program. Fortunately, The Body Shop is 100% cruelty-free. The Body Shop does not test their products and ingredients on animals. They don’t sell in countries that require animal testing by law. They are owned by Natura, a cruelty-free parent company.

Maskara Beauty – Grey area

Maskara Beauty claims to be cruelty-free and is only available in the US and Canada. They currently do not have any cruelty-free certifications. I have not been able to confirm with their team if they truly are 100% cruelty-free. This brand is in the grey area. I will be sure to give an update when I receive more information.

doTerra – NOT cruelty-free

doTerra products are tricky because most of them are classified as aromatics or food additives instead of cosmetics. Non-cosmetic products are not subject to certain countries’ animal testing laws. However, they do manufacture some topical skincare products, and those are classified as cosmetics. Because of that, doTerra must still comply with other countries’ laws. doTerra sells in countries that require animal testing by law and is not cruelty-free.

Rodan + Fields – Grey area

Rodan + Fields claims to be cruelty-free and is only available in the US, Canada and Australia. They currently do not have any cruelty-free certifications. I have not been able to confirm with their team if they truly are 100% cruelty-free. This brand is in the grey area. I will be sure to give an update when I receive more information.

Amway – NOT cruelty-free

Amway allows animal testing to occur and sells in countries that require animal testing by law.

Scentsy – Grey area

Scentsy claims to be cruelty-free and is only available in the US, Canada and Australia. They currently do not have any cruelty-free certifications. I have not been able to confirm with their team if they truly are 100% cruelty-free. In 2018, they admitted that animal testing occurs on their products, but I have not been able to determine if this is still happening. This brand is in the grey area. I will be sure to give an update when I receive more information.

Some of this shocks me. I’m pretty sure I have seen each and every one of these brands advertise that they don’t test on animals. What are your thoughts on this? Let me know in the comments below!

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XO, Stephanie

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