Quick Answer: Is La Roche-Posay Cruelty-Free and Vegan?
No, they are not cruelty-free nor Vegan. The company has its products undergo animal testing and sells in countries where the law requires animal testing. La Roche-Posay is also on PETA’s list of companies to avoid. Additionally, the company is owned by L’Oreal, a parent company that’s not cruelty-free.
It all began in the 14th century when a Frenchman, Bertrand Du Guesclin, discovered that the thermal springs in La Roche-Posay had remarkable skin-healing properties.
The man and his horse made a stop to quench his thirst when his horse, which suffered from severe eczema, submerged itself in the water and was healed entirely days later.
Word spread about the unique abilities of the thermal springs in La Roche-Posay in France and neighboring countries through the centuries.
Being famous for the springs’ skin healing properties, La Roche-Posay was declared a Thermal Spa Town in 1913.
Later, in 1975, the La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique brand was created. Its mission was to develop skincare products using the magical thermal water.
Since then, the company has sold skincare products worldwide while improving them with antioxidant sunscreens and more enhancing formulas.
A lot of our readers have asked whether La Roche-Posay products are cruelty-free and vegan. We have analyzed the brand in detail and have your answers.
Is La Roche-Posay cruelty-free and vegan? Read on to find out the details.
Is La Roche-Posay Cruelty-Free?
French skincare brand La Roche-Posay uses thermal spring water to manufacture all of their products, but is the company cruelty-free? Does it test on animals?
To be considered cruelty-free, any company has to meet all of the following criteria, which we will discuss one by one:
- Should not subject any of their products to animal testing before, during, and after production. Also, all of their ingredients should not be tested on animals.
- Should not test on animals or allow a third-party entity to test on animals on its behalf.
- Should not sell their products in countries where animal testing is a requirement by law, such as mainland China.
Are La Roche-Posay Products Tested on Animals?
The policy states that they do not test their products and ingredients on animals or delegate the task to third-party affiliates. On the company website, it also says that there is an exception if testing is regulatory by law.
We later found out that the company sells its products to mainland China, where animal testing is mandatory. Below is a snippet from their animal testing policy.
The disclaimer on the exception part usually means that the company is selling in countries where the law requires it, especially mainland China.
Do They Test on Animals When Required by the Law? Or Use a Third Party?
While the company does not generally test on animals, they will test when the law requires it.
This is seen from their animal testing policy that states, “The only possible exception is if regulatory authorities required it for safety or regulatory purposes.”
Are La Roche-Posay Products Sold In China?
La Roche-Posay, like many other companies, decided to expand its market to China. In fact, the company distributes and sells its products in mainland China.
Here is a screenshot of La Roche-Posay’s portal selling in China. It clearly shows that the company’s products are available in China.
Due to their decision to sell in mainland China, La Roche-Posay must consent to pay the authorities for their products to be tested on animals.
This is the reason any company serving the Chinese market can’t be considered cruelty-free.
Does La Roche-Posay Have Cruelty-Free Accreditations and Certifications?
There are a few accreditations that indicate that a product and some of its brands are cruelty-free. They include PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Choose Cruelty-Free.
La Roche-Posay does not appear in the cruelty-free lists of any of these organizations. The company is, however, on PETA’s list of cosmetics brands to avoid.
Is La Roche-Posay’s Parent Company Cruelty-Free?
La Roche-Posay’s parent company, L’Oreal, is not included in PETA’s cruelty-free list. Their animal testing policy states that they do not carry out animal testing, but this contradicts the fact that they admit to selling in China.
They also don’t have any accreditation logos on their products. There is, therefore, no verification that the company is cruelty-free.
Is La Roche-Posay Vegan?
No, La Roche-Posay products are not 100% vegan. Some of its products have ingredients that are derived from animals or animal by-products.
Summary
La Roche-Posay will not qualify for the cruelty-free list of companies that don’t test on animals. Although the brand itself does not do lab tests, they have ties to a parent company that still sells its products in China.
There are other vegan and cruelty-free alternatives if you don’t want to use your favorite skincare products without feeling cruel.