Ethical skin care: not tested on animals

Many Canadians are becoming increasingly aware of the composition of the products they choose. From food to natural health products and clothing, ethics is increasingly becoming a primary “ingredient.”

When it comes to cosmetics, ordinary beauty products often contain multiple ingredients that are impossible to spell, let alone pronounce. Leading advocacy groups, such as the David Suzuki Foundation and the Environmental Working Group, have linked some of these ingredients to serious health problems, such as hormonal disruptions and negative environmental effects, not to mention being named possible carcinogens.

This association has given rise to an explosion of natural body care products carrying certifications through which the consumer can ensure that their purchase is organic, sustainable, vegan or gluten-free, for example, or has not been tested on animals. Certification can also extend to product packaging, offering the possibility of opting for a recyclable or biodegradable material instead of the common, non-environmentally friendly solution.

Many cosmetics proudly carry the “certified organic” logo, which involves a long, rigorous process sometimes going all the way back to the source of the ingredients. Thus, many products are free of genetically modified organisms (GMO-free).

One aspect that has received a lot of attention and concerns many users is animal testing. Faced with these concerns, many products display “not tested on animals” certification. Some will even go further, specifying that their product does not contain any animal ingredients, such as gelatin.

Skin care products continue to evolve and many Canadians are looking for greater transparency when making their purchases. The industry is responding with certifications that take into account the growing number of consumer concerns.

To learn more about these products and certifications, visit your local natural products retailer.