Choosing Cruelty-Free Products

Over the past few years, there has been an unprecedented global interest in veganism as a way of living.

Applying the veganism philosophy as a lifestyle goes beyond switching to eating a vegan diet.

Hardcore vegans are those who truly believe in the rights of all living creatures and condemn any human actions that take advantage of animals in any way or form. Veganism has been around for thousands of years and has close links with Buddhism and other far eastern cultures; however, the philosophy became mainstream only a decade ago when studies showing the positive impact veganism has on environmental sustainability gained wide popularity.

This newfound belief in veganism made way for the emergence of a special niche market for cruelty-free products. The movement has been so powerful that even industries like the beauty industry, which essentially depends on animal-testing in product development, has found a way to jump on the vegan bandwagon to appeal to the fast-growing community. If you are willing to make the shift yourself, or if you just want to give it a try before you fully commit to veganism, here are some helpful tips on how you can choose cruelty-free products.

Master Research

Thanks to the internet, you now have access to all kinds of information like never before, however, you must learn how and where to look. Researching alternatives and incorporating the necessary changes to become cruelty-free can cost companies millions of dollars. So, unfortunately, some companies choose to be a little more ‘creative’ with their marketing to avoid the hefty costs, hoping to divert the attention of unsuspecting consumers. Using terms like ‘animal-friendly’ to pass as ‘cruelty-free’ is a common strategy that you can easily fall for if you did not know how to dig deeper and unearth real information about certain products.

You can find a plethora of sources online that can teach you all about the conditions that any product has to fulfill to count as cruelty-free. You can also find some helpful websites that list cruelty-free product options that can replace all the popular household brands.

Start Making Small Changes

As you learn more about cruelty-free manufacturing and decide to make the switch once and for all, you can easily be discouraged by how overwhelming this process can be. It’s a great thing that you want to be more mindful of the environment and consciously change your old ways. However, you cannot become an avid ethical vegan overnight, instead, opt for small sustainable changes and build your way up to your desired level of veganism.

Start by becoming a mindful shopper. When it comes to clothes, you will find many vegan options that can help you stay true to your animal-friendly beliefs. You can also replace your current skincare and beauty products with clean ones that are known in the market for their ethical production methods. Your research skills will come in handy as you look for small tweaks that you can easily incorporate in your daily life. Over time, you will become more experienced, and you will be able to move on to applying the cruelty-free concept on a much bigger scale.

Learn About the Cruelty-Free Logos

One of the easiest ways to tip you off when you are looking for cruelty-free products is to look for the authenticated labels and logos. Check the authentication laws in your country to understand what the different logos mean. This will help you to simplify the otherwise complicated hunt for cruelty-free items.

Do Not Get Discouraged

Especially when it comes to cosmetics, most of the high-quality brands are unfortunately not considered to be cruelty-free, however, this does not mean that you go for a cheap subpar alternative just because it checks that box. Sooner than later you will become frustrated and will want to go back to your old non-cruelty-free item. So instead, be adamant about looking for real alternatives that can give you the results you want while living up to your ethical standards. Put your investigation hat on and discover underdog indie brands, you will be surprised to learn that the most hyped brands are in many cases mediocre at best.

If you are willing to make a long-term shift to cruelty-free products, take it one step at a time. Aim to continuously learn and make better choices as you go, and understand that you will always have room for improvement. Find the joy in the process; have fun learning about the different production techniques, and then discuss it with those around you to increase awareness. We hope this simple guide can be a stepping stone that helps you make a full-fledged ethical change in all areas of your life.