Is Carmex Vegan? Here’s The Top Ten Cruelty-Free Cosmetic Companies

I’ve been BWA’s beauty writer for almost a year now, and from time to time have noticed a scattering of comments across my articles mentioning cruelty free or vegan beauty products (yes, I read your comments, so play nice). Yet I haven’t taken the time to see what’s out there. This is mostly due to the fact that I often get caught up in issues I’m passionate about like body image and women’s rights, therefore I am prone to forgetting about our furry friends (which is weird considering how much of my time is spent on Pinterest looking at cute animal pics). There’s no excuse, I know. But I imagine many of you do the same thing; both looking up pics of cute animals and getting caught up in life, meaning you simply just don’t have the time or energy to think about some things. It is for this reason that I have done the thinking for you. You’re welcome.

is carmex vegan

Below you will find my list of the top ten PETA approved companies that produce cruelty free beauty products.

But before we get to that there are a few things you need to know. The first thing you will notice about this list is that basically every major cosmetic company is not on it, including some that you might expect to be cruelty free. PETA has pretty strict guidelines as to what can get on their list, which you can read here. I also have a few guidelines of my own.

1.They have to be easily accessible. My aim was to give you a list of products that you’ll be able to get, no matter where you live in Australia (so long as a postie can get to your door). I’ve compiled The Priceline List, being brands that Priceline stocks (I figured Priceline was a good starting point because they are seriously everywhere). And also The Online List, being either Aussie brands that can be purchased online, or “au” websites (so it is guaranteed they’re available here). Unfortunately that has meant I’ve let a lot of potentially fantastic brands out, but a huge factor for me is accessibility.

2.They have to be a reasonable price (this also cut a lot out).

3.Regardless of what the company claims their policy on animal cruelty is, if it has not landed a spot on the PETA list, it hasn’t featured on mine either for the sake of simplicity. But if you know of some great cruelty free companies, let us know in the comments!

4.There are literally hundreds of companies on PETA’s list, meaning I can guarantee you that I missed a few, regardless of whether they fit into my own guidelines or not.

5.Not all PETA approved companies are vegan, so I have specified if they are in brackets next to the brand. Now go forth and beautify, friends! And be kind to the bunnies.

The Online List:

Aromacare (Vegan)

Products: Skincare, hair care, aromatherapy products.

Prices: Between $5 and $110 (aromatherapy tools bump up price)

The Body Shop

Products: Skincare, hair care, fragrance, makeup.

Prices: From $3 to $60

Sasy n Savy

Products: Skincare, hair care, aromatherapy products

Prices: $18 t0 $85

Prestige Cosmetics

Products: Makeup

Prices: $12 to $30

Eco Minerals (Vegan)

Products: Makeup

Prices: $19 to $99 (gift packs bump up price)

 

The Priceline List

Bonne Bell

Products: Makeup (and Lip Smackers, you guys!!!)

Prices: $5 to $15

Botani

Products: Skincare

Prices: $7 to $104 (gift packs bump up price)

Burt’s Bees

Products: Skincare, hair care

Prices: $6 to $50

Carmex

Products: Lip care (balms, glosses and remedies), skincare

Prices: $2 to $20

Physicians Formula

Products: Makeup, skincare

Prices: $5 to $30 

Disclaimer:

As always, you can’t believe everything you read on the internet (hard to believe, I know), so if you’re passionate about vegan or cruelty free beauty products, here is PETA’s full “Companies That DON’T Test On Animals” list, and their “Companies That DO Test On Animals” list. When it comes to issues like this people often get hot under the collar. But for now, let’s keep it light-hearted folks. I know I’ve missed a lot of great brands, and I know you’ll have your own opinions about PETA and the beauty industry. But keep in mind that this isn’t an opinion piece. It’s just a “here are some great cruelty free companies, now let’s look at the cute animals just after this paragraph and all be friends” piece. You should also know that I do not get paid to write these articles, nor do I get sent treats or products from cosmetic companies. So you can read my list with a happy heart knowing that nothing got on here because of advertising or because of the potential for financial rewards.

Images: weheartit.commyimpress.tumblr.comcuteoverload.com

48 Comments

  • Reply Syrenna Monday 13th June, 2016 at 7:01 pm

    ELF is also 100% vegan and super affordable 🙂

  • Reply MHLY Sunday 22nd May, 2016 at 1:41 am

    As far as I’m aware & I realize this isn’t a recent post but Peta’s list is well outdated. I believe Bonne Bell, The Body Shop & Burt’s Bees are all now owned by companies that test on animals even if some or all of the products under these brands are actually not. Your dollars are still going to companies that do test on animals.

  • Reply dj23249 Saturday 1st February, 2014 at 5:39 am

    I will be su[porting these companies

  • Reply sss Saturday 27th July, 2013 at 12:57 pm

    Informative, and useful…

  • Reply Ian Sunday 21st April, 2013 at 3:51 pm

    great article

  • make up magic
    Reply make up magic Friday 19th April, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    Interesting read. Always good to know this information so you can avoid those products that do.

  • Reply T1NA Saturday 13th April, 2013 at 9:50 am

    good to know, thanks!

  • Reply greengal Saturday 13th April, 2013 at 1:55 am

    soooo CUTE!!!!

  • Reply SuperStylish Thursday 11th April, 2013 at 8:34 am

    I love the cute bunny and kitten!

  • Reply SuperStylish Thursday 11th April, 2013 at 8:33 am

    This is how ALL products should be created, FREE from any animal cruelty

  • Reply foxoduck Wednesday 10th April, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    NYX, Jordana and Sleek are also great ones 🙂

  • Reply amyhart Tuesday 9th April, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    i just purchased from Sasy and Savy thank you so much for this list!

  • Reply maggielyly Tuesday 9th April, 2013 at 8:43 pm

    Burts bees!! =)

  • Reply MsKimo Tuesday 9th April, 2013 at 6:43 pm

    Hm, thanks for this post! Great to see people becoming more aware of their ethical responsibility.

    However, some of these companies belong to larger companies which do test on animals (The Body Shop for example, is owned by L’Oreal) so it’s best to just steer clear of them all, which makes it much harder to shop.

    Just my two cents, have a good day!

  • Reply dj23249 Sunday 7th April, 2013 at 5:13 am

    The body shop and carmex have some great value products

  • Reply BellaB Friday 5th April, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    This is useful, thanks.

  • Reply stels Friday 5th April, 2013 at 9:55 am

    naww!

  • Reply Briony Saturday 16th March, 2013 at 10:23 pm

    Adorn Cosmetics are Vegan, Not tested on animals, Proudly Australian and perfect for women on the go that prefer ‘cleaner and greener living’.

  • Reply Venga Tuesday 26th February, 2013 at 9:33 am

    cutyyy!

  • violetflower61230
    Reply violetflower61230 Friday 22nd February, 2013 at 11:29 pm

    What about Lush??? I love them because they have really natural products that aren’t tested on animals and always give out free good-sized samples

  • Reply Whatthe Monday 18th February, 2013 at 9:54 am

    I had to come back again for another look – those photos are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sweet!

  • Reply sappheire Friday 8th February, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    They are the most adorable little animal pics ever

  • Reply Lindaves Wednesday 6th February, 2013 at 5:39 pm

    Great list, thanks for posting

  • Reply ebbylulu Tuesday 5th February, 2013 at 10:37 pm

    thanks for the information as animal testing is so cruel

  • Reply sayanything Tuesday 5th February, 2013 at 12:58 pm

    As a vegetarian I’d like to say thanks for this great information!

  • Reply POPPY Monday 4th February, 2013 at 3:16 pm

    Also the Purist Company which is australian made and owned. They make the best haircare products.

  • Reply ellenstewart Friday 1st February, 2013 at 11:06 pm

    I’m glad so many companies take animal cruelty seriously

  • katiesaprincess
    Reply katiesaprincess Friday 1st February, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    animal testing for make up is just wrong! companies need to find a better way!

  • Reply Blossoms Thursday 31st January, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    I love the rabbit’s photos.

  • Reply sezzie87 Thursday 31st January, 2013 at 7:07 pm

    Animal testing is cruel and needs to stop

  • hayley_shortie_22
    Reply hayley_shortie_22 Thursday 31st January, 2013 at 6:23 pm

    aw such cute little animals!

  • Reply daysofourlives123 Thursday 31st January, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    Gorgeous pics!

  • Reply LD Thursday 31st January, 2013 at 4:23 pm

    Thanks so much!!!

  • Trish_D
    Reply Trish_D Wednesday 30th January, 2013 at 9:58 pm

    Good article – would have liked it to go further but I understand why it didn’t.

  • lanalang
    Reply lanalang Wednesday 30th January, 2013 at 6:33 pm

    Thanks for this article! 🙂

    • Reply Rebecca Hyams Monday 26th September, 2016 at 12:33 pm

      This list is wrong BODY SHOP does test on animals….

  • Reply stels Wednesday 30th January, 2013 at 9:24 am

    sweeeet

  • Reply stels Wednesday 30th January, 2013 at 9:20 am

    cute photos!

  • Reply stels Wednesday 30th January, 2013 at 9:18 am

    awesome, thanks!

  • Reply yslyenom Tuesday 29th January, 2013 at 11:35 pm

    This is informative. Thanks for the list.

  • Reply cindyhu_1234 Tuesday 29th January, 2013 at 11:21 pm

    thx for the list!

  • sommy7
    Reply sommy7 Tuesday 29th January, 2013 at 11:20 pm

    Great research-Great article thanks

  • judi1
    Reply judi1 Tuesday 29th January, 2013 at 10:31 pm

    Helpful list.

  • Reply maggielyly Tuesday 29th January, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    thanks for sharing =)

  • Reply Jane Tuesday 29th January, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    Great list – I will definitely be using it.

  • Reply Whatthe Tuesday 29th January, 2013 at 2:37 pm

    Brilliant well-researched and extremely useful article – perfect photos!

  • Reply vikki18 Tuesday 29th January, 2013 at 10:25 am

    cute

  • Reply amanda6393 Tuesday 29th January, 2013 at 9:22 am

    Gotta protect nature’s little miracles.

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