Is MAC Cruelty Free and Vegan?

Quick Answer : Is MAC Cruelty Free and Vegan?

MAC Cosmetics is not a cruelty-free brand. Even though they claim they do not carry out animal testing themselves, they authorize their products to be tested on animals when required by law. They sell their products in mainland China. The non-cruelty free status of MAC Cosmetics cast doubts on their vegan status; hence, they are considered non-vegan.

MAC is also Make-up Art Cosmetics, and it was launched in 1984 at a counter in Toronto. Their parent company is Estée Lauder Companies, and they have various products that are available for sale in over 105 countries. 

Many key players in the cosmetic industry, including users and potential users, are giving more attention to their favorite cosmetic brands’ ingredients and testing policy.

If you are interested in MAC cosmetics’ cruelty free and vegan standard, we are happy to help you in this quest.

We have made a thorough evaluation of this brand and arrived at a logical conclusion. 

Is MAC Cosmetics Cruelty Free?

A product that would be certified as cruelty free must meet specific considerations, standards, and criteria. We duly consider these for MAC Cosmetics products. 

  • The products or any of its ingredients must not be tested on animals even when requested by law
  • Should not be sold in mainland China 
  • Should not allow any third-party testing of their products or its ingredients on animals

Are MAC Cosmetics Products Tested On Animals? 

MAC Cosmetics claims that they do not test any of their products or ingredients on animals. Nevertheless, many controversies surround this cruelty free claim.

Although they claim not to carry out animal testing, they still submit their products to be tested when requested by law. 

Source : MAKE-UP ART COSMETICS Website

The above statement explains the stance of MAC Cosmetics on the animal testing policy.

They claim they don’t carry out animal testing on their own. They permit animal testing when requested by authorities in certain regions like China.

Many key players, particularly cruelty conscious individuals, have issues with MAC Cosmetics’ non cruelty free stand. 

Many people have issues with MAC’s strong language of being cruelty-free, despite acknowledging that their products are submitted for animal testing when requested by law.

They consider this strong language on their animal-testing policy to be misleading and inappropriate.

Source : MAKE-UP ART COSMETICS Website

Nevertheless, this company still claims they don’t support animal testing. MAC Cosmetics and their parent company Estée Lauder Companies are active research participants and establish alternative testing to animal testing.

They also claim to use human volunteers and in vitro tests on their products to alternative animal testing. 

Do they test animals when required by law? Or use a third party? 

MAC Cosmetics allows their products to be tested on animals when requested by law.

Despite claims that they do not test the products on animals by themselves, they allow these tests when requested by law in mainland China regions.

They enable the government to carry out animal testing as part of selling their products in these regions. 

Are MAC Cosmetics products sold in China?

Source : MAKE-UP ART COSMETICS Website

MAC Cosmetics does not hide the fact that its products are available for sale in mainland China.

They contradict their claim against animal testing by submitting and paying for their products testing on animals by Chinese health authorities.

This test is the prerequisite for any cosmetic products brand that want to sell in mainland China.  

Does MAC Cosmetics have Cruelty free accreditations certifications?

MAC Cosmetics does not have any cruelty free accreditation certifications because they fail to meet some of these accreditations’ criteria.

First, they allow their products to be tested on animals when requested by law. Secondly, their products are on sale in mainland China. 

Is MAC Cosmetics Parent company Estée Lauder Companies cruelty free? 

Both MAC Cosmetics and their parent company Estée Lauder Companies, have a similar stand on animal testing. 

Estée Lauder Companies is not cruelty free because they also permit animal testing when requested by law.

They claim that they don’t test their products on animals but do not hesitate to let them get tested on animals when requested by law. 

Is MAC Cosmetics Vegan?

Vegan products are products that do not contain any animal ingredients or animal-derived ingredients.

 MAC products are not vegan-friendly. However, MAC does not have any statement about being vegan on their official website. They have some animal-derived products like beeswax and carmine on their ingredients list. 

Similarly, their stand on animal testing cast significant doubt on their vegan status as well and MAC Cosmetics has no vegan certification. 

Summary 

MAC Cosmetics is a fast-growing cosmetic brand with many products sold in over 105 countries.

This company is non-cruelty free because it allows third-party and government animal testing despite claims to be cruelty free.

Similarly, MAC Cosmetics is not certified to be vegan due to its controversial status.