If you have been using or are considering buying MAC cosmetics and are wondering is MAC cruelty-free or want to know is MAC vegan you are not alone. The cosmetics industry has been experiencing significant changes and a large portion of buyers want to know the animal testing policies of all types of brands. Although there are some individuals who could not be bothered, the quest for cruelty-free and vegan makeup as well as skincare products has been growing steadily.
Is MAC Cruelty-Free?
MAC is not cruelty-free. Make-up Art Cosmetics (MAC) is a well-known cosmetics company that develops and markets a range of effective skincare and makeup products including foundations, concealers, primers, moisturizers, and lipsticks. The brand’s wide range of products is a favorite of many people with different skin types all across the world. It’s is a popular brand, that is not cruelty-free.
BRAND | CRUELTY-FREE | VEGAN |
MAC | NO | FEW PRODUCTS |
MAC is one of the brands that is owned by the American conglomerate Estee Lauder since 1998. The cosmetic brand has chosen to adhere to policies that are similar to those of its parent company. Estee Lauder is not cruelty-free and includes some form of animal testing.
Estee Lauder allows different brands under its portfolio to operate under different policies. Mac was founded in 1984 in Toronto. The well-known brand has maintained its policies and doesn’t conduct testing on animals both pre-production as well as during production for product development purposes. However, it conducts post-production testing.
Examples of brands under Estee Lauder’s portfolio that have remained cruelty-free include Too Faced and BECCA. However, there are many other brands under Estee Lauder’s that are not cruelty-free such as Clinique.
The brand Estee Lauder states that as an international company that sells worldwide it aims to supply its products to its customers through authorized retailers as well as through the official website. However, different nations have different testing requirements.
Is MAC Sold in China?
Yes, MAC is sold in China. The brand is not cruelty-free because it does agree to and does pay for animal testing a requirement for the items to be sold in physical stores in Mainland China. The Asian country still requires all cosmetic brands sold in physical stores in the nation to pay and participate in post-production animal test activities.
MAC, just like many other cosmetic brands, has opted to venture out into the Chinese market. The brand states that they did not want to “leave out any of their fans.”
The brand has been submitting and paying for their products to be tested on animals so as to be allowed to sell in Mainland China. Many other companies agree to the testing so as to abide by the mandatory registration requirements set by Chinese regulators.
Where is MAC Made?
The brand MAC doesn’t manufacture its products in China. MAC manufactures its products in Canada, United States, and Italy. The products are then shipped to different parts of the world.
Is MAC 100% Vegan?
MAC is not a brand that is 100% vegan. The brand indicates that some of its products are vegan.
However, the brand uses beeswax, lanolin, and other animal-derived ingredients when making some of the products which makes them non-vegan.
However, the brand makes some products that are vegan-friendly and don’t contain any animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products. It’s advisable to check the list of ingredients if you are searching for MAC vegan products.
Is MAC Organic or Natural?
MAC is not organic or natural. The company doesn’t make any claims that their products are made with organic or natural ingredients.
Is MAC Paraben-Free?
MAC is paraben-free. The cosmetic industry has been dealing with controversy when addressing the use of some of the compounds such as parabens.
There is a group that feels the compounds are harmful and should not be included in cosmetics. The second group feels that the compounds have been approved by the FDA and other organizations and are therefore okay.
So, if you’re wondering is MAC paraben-free? You will be pleased to know that MAC products are paraben-free.
Is MAC Gluten-Free?
No, not all MAC products are gluten-free. The brand indicates that some of its products are gluten-free. However, there is no official list of products that are gluten-free. The best way to know for sure is to contact the brand’s customer service and ask if a particular product is gluten-free or not.
Is MAC Hypoallergenic?
No, many of the makeup products from MAC are not hypoallergenic. The hypoallergenic products are ideal for people with hypersensitive skin.
The company also provides no guarantee that any of its products are allergy tested or developed in an environment that is allergen-free.
Is MAC PETA Cruelty-Free Approved?
MAC is not PETA approved. The popular brand MAC agrees to test on animals and is, therefore, not PETA certified. Now you have the answer to is MAC cruelty-free?
The brand has never been certified as cruelty-free. It is important to note that the brand has been available for sale in China for a while. At the time, the brand’s policies indicate that it accepts animal testing when required by law.
It can sometimes be challenging to know for sure whether brands are cruelty- free or not. The confusion is confounded further when it comes to brands that are themselves cruelty-free but owned by brands that are not cruelty-free.
The words most of the brands use on the website are also deceptive and aimed at confusing the public. Sometimes brands use words such as “not tested on animals” or cruelty-free”. Many brands also claim that they don’t advocate animal testing which is a rather vague claim.
However, it’s important to note that even though they don’t conduct any animal testing in their private testing facilities, some brands pay third parties to do it for them. It is also not unheard of for brands to use ingredients from suppliers who conduct tests on animals.
MAC Cruelty-Free
MAC has not been certified by Leaping Bunny.
The most common type of animal cruelty reported by far in the cosmetics industry takes place after the final products are manufactured. Many of the cosmetics brands conform to post-production-testing requirements.
The brands agree because they want to access large markets such as Mainland China. This the case with MAC. The choice made by each of the brands is company-specific depending on the convictions of the owners.
One of the ways of eliminating any doubts related to whether a company is cruelty-free is checking the Leaping Bunny or PETA website for the list of brands that have been approved as cruelty-free. Sometimes, organizations that are cruelty-free approved have the bunny logo on their websites, especially under the FAQ. Some even include the bunny on product labels.
MAC develops great products and has been in the business for many years. The brand also manufactures its products in countries where the drive for ending animal cruelty has been building gradually. However, that doesn’t automatically mean that the brand or its products are cruelty-free. The brand claims that it has been involved in supporting the end of animal testing for many years.
It is also good to note that not all brands seek certification from different bodies. Different brands have different ways of approaching certification.
Where to Buy MAC Products?
MAC products are available on the company’s website which ships to most countries. The brand products are also available in many cosmetic product retailers including Sephora and Ulta.
The brand expanded to sell in other parts of the world including the United Kingdom, China, and Canada. In some of the locations that the brand sells, there are requirements that include animal testing. The choice has made the brand to be classified as not cruelty-free.
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