Cosmetics companies kill millions of animals every year testing products. Rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, and rats are the most commonly used animals. The experiments—developed in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s—usually involve applying chemicals or products to animals’ shaved skin or eyes. But it’s difficult to interpret what animal test results mean for humans, because each species reacts differently to various substances.

There are many cheaper and faster alternative methods that produce more accurate information. Examples include artificial human skin and robotic technology that can screen thousands of chemicals at once using cells grown in the lab.

Learn more about our current campaigns to end the use of animals in cosmetics testing:

• End Cosmetics Skin Irritation and Corrosion Tests on Animals: Thousands of rabbits suffer excruciating skin irritation and corrosion tests for cosmetic products and their ingredients each year.
• Reform the U.S. Safe Cosmetics Act: The Safe Cosmetics Act, H.R. 2359, was introduced with the goal of improving cosmetics safety and regulation. But this well-intentioned bill has serious flaws.
• Keep the European Union Ban on Animal-Tested Cosmetics: The European Union passed a complete ban on animal-tested cosmetics, but now the ban is in jeopardy.