When talking about sustainable fashion and cosmetics one cannot surpass the issue of animal testing. Animal testing is a method used broadly in the cosmetic industry in order to check the safety of the products. Most of the animal-experiments used for this purpose are unnies guinea pigs, mice and rats,that end up severely injured if not dead. For many years it was acceptable by the public exactly because it concerned public health issues, but today as technology evolves it has become outdated. There are over 7,000 safe ingredients currently available for cosmetic companies that don’t need any kind of additional testing. At the same time alternative methods as vitro-testing which is used by many companies like Korres,computer models or clinical studies to humans. What is more animal testing isn’t as accurate as we think,since people and animals don’t share the same DNA.

In 2009 European Union took a major step banning testing within EU, irrespective of whether there were non-animal alternatives,leading the way for further scientific research in this field. On 11/3/2013 the sell of animal tested products after that date was banned likewise. However this ban has some limitations since it doesn't determine environmental risks (ecotox testings) or worker safety tests, so our european friends shouldn’t be reassured that the available beauty products are also sustainable.

Even though more than 1.700 companies have banned all animal tests, there are many others,especially big brands like Chanel, Dior, Estee Lauder that haven’t. At the same time countries like China oblige companies to test their products in order to be part of their ever growing market,remember china’s population is 1/7 of the world,so some brands that had gone cruelty free seem to step back. So what can you do ?

Educate yourself and shop cruelty free there are plenty options out there to suit your taste.