Let’s look into the Neutrogena brand’s current animal testing policy and cruelty-free status in 2021.
Is Neutrogena Cruelty-Free?
Are Neutrogena products cruelty-free? NO! Neutrogena is not a cruelty-free brand. Although Neutrogena is a premium skincare and cosmetic brand and as their official tagline states it is the #1 Dermatologist recommended skin-care brand, it unfortunately is not cruelty-free.
Neutrogena allows sale of its products in certain countries that require by law to conduct animal testing before they are realeased in the market and the adherence to this law of testing products on animals does not make Neutrogena a cruelty-free brand.
Is Neutrogena Sold in China?
Does Neutrogena sell its products in China? YES! Neutrogena sells its skincare and cosmetic products in mainland China. Only soaps and oral care products do not fall under the cosmetics category due to which every other product is considered cosmetic and China has a law that tests cosmetics on animals. These tests are pre-market tests and sometimes even post-market if a complaint is issued by a user and China is not liable to inform the company in the event of such tests.
Is Neutrogena Vegan?
Can Neutrogena be considered Vegan? NO! Neutrogena is not Vegan. For a brand to be considered vegan, they have to fall under two categories; one; the products do not have any ingredients derived from animals, directly or indirectly by laboratory processes and two; the products are not tested on animals.
Neutrogena fails the second category as they do permit animal testing when the law requires but also certain products contain active ingredients derived from animal fats. For eg. Stearyl ether and stearyl alcohol, found in the ingredient list on the official website are derived from stearic acid which is made from pork or beef tallow.
Although Neutrogena is one of the better brands when it comes to being free of animal and dairy derivatives, it cannot be considered a 100% Vegan brand.
What is Neutrogena’s Animal Testing Policy?
As per the statement on their official website, Neutrogena’s animal testing policy states:
We want you to feel good about how we make Neutrogena products. You can only do that if you have the facts. The fact is, Neutrogena doesn’t conduct animal testing of our cosmetic products anywhere in world, except in the rare situation where governments or laws require it. At Neutrogena, we won’t ever compromise on the quality or safety of our products or stop seeking alternatives to animal testing.
So as a brand Neutrogena is against animal testing, however, till they stop their sale in countries that require testing by law, Neutrogena will be under the scanner and not cruelty-free.
Is Neutrogena Owned by a Parent Company?
Neutrogena was acquired by the conglomerate Johnson & Johnson in 1994. And the parent company as a whole is not cruelty-free as it conducts a lot of animal testing, being a multinational organisation with many businesses.
What Does Neutrogena Sell?
Neutrogena is a premium brand selling a range of skin care, hair care and cosmetic products.
What is Neutrogena’s Current Cruelty-Free Position?
Neutrogena currently is is not a cruelty-free brand.
I Use Neutrogena Products. What Can I Do to Help?
Neutrogena is a widely used brand and well known for its targeted treatments which are effective and highly recommended so as a loyal customer and an aware citizen, we can write to the company to invest in research to come up with more eco-friendly alternatives which will help them gain mass appeal and at the same time withdraw sale from countries and support PETA and other groups to push for ban on animal testing. Big Brands have the power to bring about Big changes.
