Is NARS Cruelty-Free and Vegan?

Nowadays, people became more concerned about their health and beauty. The beauty industry has been notorious for testing on animals before releasing the products for us. As a result, people are going for different treatments and products for their skin to safeguard the animals. However, choosing an effective makeup and skincare brand is very important. One such brand is NARS, a French brand renowned for its skincare and makeup products that they offer such as foundations, concealers, lipsticks, serums, moisturizers, and so on.

But is NARS cruelty-free? NARS is not a cruelty-free brand. It is not certified by any trusted cruelty-free organizations like Leaping Bunny or PETA.  Many ingredients of NARS including beeswax, lanolin, and glycerin are also derived from animals. Though they claim that they only do animal tests when it is required by law, animal testing is found in their products even when it is not required. So let’s see if these claims are true or not and figure out NARS’s stance on being cruelty-free!

Why NARS Is Famous?

NARS is a famous cosmetics brand that offers different makeup and skincare products. It is founded by French photographer and makeup artist Francois NARS in 1994. NARS is committed to providing authentic and high-quality products to its consumers. The makeup products of NARS include foundations, concealers, lipsticks, bronzers, eyeshadows, highlighters, and so on.

NARS uses natural and eco-friendly ingredients and offers a wide range of products. Moreover, this brand claims they use ingredients free from harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrances. The products are made from natural ingredients and are very gentle on the skin. One of the very popular and signature products of NARS is NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. This concealer has a creamy texture, buildable coverage, and long-lasting formula. Some other popular and most used products of NARS are NARS Powder Blush, NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, NARS Climax Mascara, NARS Lipstick, etc.

Is NARS Certified Cruelty-free?

Cruelty-free means products that have not been tested on animals during their production. NARS is not certified cruelty-free by any trusted organizations like PETA or Leaping Bunny. They allow their products to be tested on animals. They also sell their products in mainland China stores.

NARS is owned by a parent company named Shiseido. The parent company is not also cruelty-free and they do animal tests on their products. Both NARS and its parent company Shiseido are involved in animal testing directly or indirectly. They also sell their products in countries that require animal tests. Moreover, NARS uses some non-vegan ingredients in its products. Any brand that allows its products to be tested on animals cannot be considered cruelty-free. And this is also not certified by any cruelty-free standard.

Ingredients Commonly Used in NARS Products

1. Water/Aqua: Water is the main ingredient used in almost all skincare and makeup products that works as a solvent for other ingredients. This is the base of all skincare products that help to hydrate the skin. In the very first spot of the ingredient list, it is found in almost all skincare items.
2. Dimethicone: This is the most common silicone used in any product. It helps to form a protective barrier and makes the skin smooth. This also helps to fill the wrinkles and fine lines.
3. Cyclopentasiloxane: A lightweight silicone that provides a silky and non-greasy look on the skin. It contains excellent properties that help to spread and absorb the skin.
4. Polymethylsilsesquioxane: This is a powder that helps to enhance the texture and it is a soft focus agent. It gives a softness like silicon to any product which helps the product to have a soft finish.
5. PEG-10 Dimethicone: This is a silicone emulsifier that helps water and silicone mix nicely. It is also mixed with plant-oil and silicone-oil mixture.
6. Butylene Glycol: This multi-tasking liquid works as a solvent for other ingredients. This ingredient also helps to absorb faster on the skin. So, the penetration process increases because of using this ingredient used in NARS.
7. Tocopherol: It protects the skin from UVB rays and provides the skin with vitamin C and vitamin E which makes the skin healthy and shiny.
8. Alumina:: It is a white and powdery substance that is derived from aluminum oxide. It helps to create a smooth and even finish on the skin. Alumina also has oil-absorbing capability. It can help to absorb excess oils and swat which helps to keep the skin fresh.
9. Tin Oxide: This helps to improve the consistency and texture of the product. It gives a matte finish which helps to control the shine of the skin. Tin oxide also helps to reflect light which can make the skin appear more even-toned.
10. Phenoxyethanol: Phenoxyethanol is a preservative used in skincare products to prevent the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. It helps to make the active ingredients effective for a long time. This is a safe and gentle ingredient to use in any product.
11. Mica: Mica is added to the concealer to give it a smooth, silky texture and to help it adhere to the skin. Mica is a translucent powder that helps to create a glowing effect on the skin. Mica also helps to absorb oil and moisture in the skin.
12. Iron Oxides: Iron Oxides are a mixture of Iron II and Iron III oxide. This is a pigment that helps to control the darkness of the concealer. It helps to give you a natural-looking flesh tone.

Non-vegan Ingredients Used in NARS

NARS uses some non-vegan ingredients in its products. The non-vegan ingredients are given below-

1. Glycerin: This is collected from animal sources that help to hydrate the skin This is a commonly used moisturizing ingredient that softens the skin. Besides its moisturizing and hydrating formula, it also helps to improve the skin barrier and treat irritated skin.
2. Stearic Acid: It is mostly collected from the stomachs of cattle. Sometimes, it is derived from vegetable sources such as palm oil or coconut. This is a well-suited ingredient for all skin types.
3. Lanolin: Lanolin is a wool wax that is derived from the sebaceous glands of sheep. It contains emollient properties that help moisturizers and other skincare products. It reduces water loss from the skin and hydrates the skin.
4. Beeswax: This is a natural wax created by bees to store honey. This ingredient helps to moisturize and hydrate the skin from the inside. Beeswax also contains a natural emulsifier that helps to stabilize the skin.

What we don’t know is if these ingredients are ethically sourced or not. The main concern for being cruelty-free is that no animals are harmed when producing or testing the product. Regardless of their sourcing, if these ingredients are obtained from animals, it means that NARS is not a cruelty-free brand.

NARS Animal Testing Policy

Animal testing is very significant for knowing about the cruelty-free formula of any product. On the NARS website, they claimed that they do not do animal tests unless it is required by law. But it has been found that they frequently do animal tests on their products.

NARS do animal tests on their products directly or indirectly. Sometimes, they do the animal test and sometimes third parties tested their products on their behalf. The parent company named Shiseido is also not cruelty-free. They do animal tests on their products. One of the most significant things is, it sells its products in mainland China. They also allow third parties to do animal tests on their products. No matter what the company or brand claims, NARS products are tested on animals and these are not cruelty-free.

It also uses some ingredients that are derived from animals. For example-beeswax, lanolin, stearic acid, glycerin, etc. Though NARS is working to eliminate animal testing and take another alternative to animal testing, these evidences doesn’t excuse their active engagement with animal testing!. So, the animal testing policy of NARS confirms that it is not cruelty-free.

NARS Stance On Cruelty-free Formula

NARS has some claims regarding cruelty-free status or animal testing. The stance of NARS on cruelty-free formula and animal testing is as follows-

• NARS claims that they do not unnecessarily do animal tests. Rather, they do animal tests when it is required by law.
• NARS claims that it will eliminate animal testing and is committed to the development of alternative methods.
• NARS claims that they give importance to the health and safety of people and therefore they ensure high-quality products.
• Though they claimed that they don’t sell their products in countries that require animal testing, they are found to sell their products in China and some others that require animal testing.
• NARS accepted that they use some animal-derived ingredients like beeswax, glycerin, stearic acid, lanolin, etc. but they claimed that those are ethically sourced.

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6 Cruelty-free Alternatives to NARS

NARS is not a cruelty-free brand. So, people who are looking for a completely cruelty-free brand can go for other alternatives.

1. Athr Beauty

Athr Beauty is a famous cruelty-free and vegan brand that does not use animal-derived ingredients in its products. This brand offers high-quality and sustainable ingredients in its products that are tested on animals. This brand offers high-quality makeup products. So, people looking for cruelty-free products can go for this.

2. Cover FX

Cover FX is a cruelty-free brand that provides high-quality products to consumers. This brand uses plant-based ingredients that make it healthy for people.  Cover FX offers a wide range of makeup products including foundation, concealer, etc. They have also different shades available for different skin tones. Animal lover people can go for this exclusive brand.

3. Rare Beauty

Rare Beauty is a cruelty-free cosmetics brand that provides unique and exclusive makeup products including foundations, concealers, primers, and so on.  The special thing about this brand is, this brand was founded by Selena Gomez in 2020. Besides its cruelty-free formulation, Rare Beauty is committed to providing high-quality makeup products that are very skin-friendly and effective.

4. Too Faced

Too Faced is a popular beauty brand that offers different makeup and beauty products. It is a cruelty-free brand that is manufactured in the United States. Too Faced is a cruelty-free brand that does not do animal tests on its products and also doesn’t sell its products in countries that require animal testing. This is also certified by a trusted cruelty-free organization named PETA.  So, this can be a good alternative to NARS.

5. Tarte

Tarte provides makeup and skincare products that are cruelty-free. Tarte products are not involved in any direct or indirect animal testing. Not only this, Tarte does not sell their products in countries like mainland China that require animal testing. This brand claims that its products are not derived from animals. Tarte offers a variety of products including foundation, concealer, serum, moisturizer, etc. So, this can be a better alternative to NARS.

6. Milk Makeup

Milk Makeup is a truly cruelty-free brand that does not do an animal test on the ingredients, or their finished products. Milk Makeup also confirmed that they do not allow animal testing in countries where it is required by law. Milk Makeup is certified by Leaping Bunny. Milk Makeup brand can be an alternative to NARS. Because this brand also offers so many beauty products including skincare and makeup products.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

NARS is a popular makeup and skincare brand that offers a wide range of products including foundation, concealer, setting spray, and other skincare products. NARS uses natural ingredients in its products that are very skin-friendly and effective. NARS is not a certified cruelty-free brand by Leaping Bunny or PETA. It uses some non-vegan ingredients including beeswax, lanolin, stearic acid, glycerin, etc. Not only the finished products but the ingredients of NARS are also found to be tested on animals. And they sell their products in countries that require animal testing. So, NARS cannot be considered a cruelty-free brand.

Key Points

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