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:

• Come Clean: 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.
• Cosmetics Regulation Reform in the United States: Three bills were introduced in the House of Representatives in the last congressional session with the goal of improving cosmetics safety and regulation. But these well-intentioned bills have serious flaws.
• International Cosmetics Regulation Reform: Cosmetics regulation reform has gained traction in the international community. The European Union and Israel have banned the sale and import of animal-tested cosmetics, and India may soon follow suit. However, China and Brazil require that cosmetics be tested on animals.