Is Shu Uemura Cruelty-Free & Vegan?

Founded in 1967 in Japan by the brand’s namesake, Shu Uemura sells makeup products, such as lipsticks, blushes, and foundations. The brand seeks to empower Asian millennials and offer them self expression.

Shu Uemura is currently owned by French cosmetics brand L’Oreal, a company that is known to perform animal testing.

Is Shu Uemura Cruelty-Free?

There are many cosmetic brands on the market that test on animals discreetly or indirectly and then claim on their website that they are cruelty-free.

We also found out that not all brands listed on PETA or Leaping Bunny are cruelty-free.

When researching the cruelty-free status of a cosmetics brand, our procedure is to put the brand through a checklist that contains three criteria. To be cruelty-free, a brand must not:

• Test its finished products on animals, including their ingredients and formulations
• Test on animals through its suppliers or third parties
• Operate in countries that have compulsory animal testing regulations

Taking a look at Shu Uemura’s statements on its cruelty-free status, we can see on its FAQ page that it lays claim to being cruelty-free.

Is Shu Uemura Cruelty-free?

Technically, the brand isn’t cruelty-free, as it sells its products in mainland China, a country known for post-market testing of foreign companies’ products on animals.

Also, according to PETA’s cruelty-free certification program – Beauty Without Bunnies – Shu Uemura is not cruelty-free.

Are Shu Uemura Products Tested On Animals?

Yes, Shu Uemura tests its products on animals. Otherwise, it would not be possible for it to retain the Chinese market without testing on animals.

Shu Uemura claims that it does not test on animals, but it doesn’t explain how it manages to sell in mainland China without testing on animals.

Do They Test On Animals When the Law Requires It?

Yes, according to our findings, Shu Uemura tests its final products on animals when it is required by law in its operating countries. Being an Asian brand, one of its major markets is mainland China.

The latter has regulations in place that ensure that all foreign brands agree to test their cosmetics on animals before they are released commercially.

Although this regulation has been modified in recent times, post-market testing still exists, especially when complaints are received on the product(s) of the brand in question.

Are Shu Uemura Products Sold In China?

Yes, Shu Uemura products are sold in mainland China. In 2004, it opened its first store in Shanghai, in the Isetan department store. It also has stores in Beijing and other Chinese provinces and cities.

Shu Uemura products can also be shipped to China through a package forwarder. The screenshot below shows that Shu Uemura products are indeed shipped to China.

Does Shu Uemura Have Cruelty-Free Certifications?

No, Shu Uemura doesn’t have any cruelty-free certifications and may not have any in the near future since it continues to sell in mainland China, which continues to have animal testing regulations in place.

Currently, Shu Uemura has no certifications from Leaping Bunny or Beauty Without Bunnies.

Is Shu Uemura Owned By Another Company?

Yes, Shu Uemura is owned by French brand L’Oreal. L’Oreal is also a brand that conducts animal testing with its products and/or formulations.

Are Shu Uemura Products Vegan?

Shu Uemura is not a completely vegan brand. To be considered a vegan brand, all of the products of such a company must not be made from animal ingredients or derivatives.

However, Shu Uemura has products that are made with ingredients that are derived from animals.

Although Shu Uemura does not have a catalog of vegan products, our research shows some of its products are made without using animal derivatives, including the following:

• Shusu sleek shampoo
• Cleansing oil shampoo
• Shusu sleek anti-frizz hair set
• Shusu sleek conditioner
• Essence Absolute cleansing milk conditioner
• Tokyo vibes green hair makeup

Summary

Shu Uemura is not a cruelty-free and 100% vegan brand. Although the brand states that it maintains a cruelty-free policy and that it doesn’t test on animals, this can be contested.

Shu Uemura sells to mainland China through its physical stores that can be found in Beijing, Shanghai, and other cities in China. You can also ship Shu Uemura products to China.

Also, the brand is not vegan, as some of its products contain animal derivatives. Additionally, it’s owned by a parent company, L’Oreal, that tests its products on animals.

Thus, we’d advise you to look for cruelty-free alternatives on the market.