Biotique blends ancient Indian wisdom with Swiss biomedics into a renowned skincare brand. As this brand expands to find a global reach, we ask if it has done so whilst being cruelty-free and vegan?
Biotique is cruelty-free but not 100% vegan, meaning some products contain animal-derived ingredients. It does not conduct animal testing on its products or distribute cosmetics where animal testing is required by law.
Jain grew up surrounded by Ayurveda - an alternative medicinal system with roots on the sub-Indian continent.
After returning from studying biomedicine in Switzerland, she used her knowledge to create Biotique - a vegetarian, 100% natural botanical-based skincare, haircare, and wellness brand.
Biotique’s goal is to create ethical and sustainable products. The brand is a household name in its home country India – but can you trust its cruelty-free and vegan policies?
Biotique Ethical Overview
Cruelty-free: Yes
Vegan: No (Biotique has vegan options )
Clean ingredients: No
Sustainable & Ethical: Moderate efforts
Mica Mining Policy: Undetermined
RSPO Palm Oil Certified: Undetermined
Biotique Is 100% Cruelty-Free
Test any of its products or ingredients on animals
NO
Purchase any ingredients tested on animals within its supply chain
No
Distribute its products to any countries that require animal testing by law.
No
Biotique is also privately owned by its founder and has stayed a family business.
Does Biotique Test on Animals?
Biotique has been going strong for over 20 years. While it's difficult to know when the brand's animal testing policy began, Biotique’s website assures you that its modern research does not include animal testing.
What Is Biotique Cruelty-Free Status in 2022?
A screenshot of Biotique’s official statement regarding its cruelty-free policies and vegan products is taken from its website:
Biotique Has No Cruelty-Free Certification.
Biotique has no cruelty-free certification.
We’re left wondering, why? Biotique’s website doesn’t expand on the decision.
Although Biotique is a heritage brand, some sources cite the brand value as under US$1 million. So perhaps it’s cost-related.
Claiming to make “cruelty-free products” without any backing becomes suspicious when you consider that most animal-testing regulators only charge a portion of a company’s earnings.
Ideally, all brands that consider themselves cruelty-free should be Leaping Bunny certified.
While you might know PETA very well – it surprisingly doesn't hold the strictest cruelty-free regulations. Leaping Bunny certification is the gold standard to live up to.
Is Biotique Sold Where Animal Testing is Required By Law?
Biotique does not distribute any of its products to China or any country that requires animal testing on cosmetics by law.
China has a shocking track record. It is the country with the most animal testing globally, with over 20 million animals used per year.
However, if you live in China or are concerned about its cruel beauty policies, there are a couple of loopholes.
Here's how to find cruelty-free cosmetics in China: Are Cosmetics Made in China Cruelty-Free?
Biotique is Not Vegan
Although the brand is not entirely vegan, Biotique has an extensive range of vegan products from which to choose.
Some of the most common animal-derived ingredients that Biotique uses are: honey, carmine, milk proteins and pearl powder.
If you're interested in which products are vegan or finding vegan brand alternatives – keep reading.
What Biotique Products Are Vegan?
Biotique has an extensive range of vegan products that continues to grow.
To save you some time, here are some of Biotique’s most popular and award-winning products to choose from:
Unfortunately, Biotique does not have a dedicated page for its vegan products.
However, you can email customer service, and they will send you an extensive list of exactly what you want to know.
You can also scroll through Biotique’s website and see which vegan products you selected.
Vegan Alternatives to Biotique
Brand | price range | 100% vegan | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
$5 - $15 | Yes | Peta, Leaping Bunny | |
$20 - $50 | Yes | Leaping Bunny | |
$20 - $50 | Yes | PETA, Leaping Bunny | |
$5 - $20 | Yes | Leaping Bunny | |
$20 - $70 | Yes | Leaping Bunny |
Biotique is Considered Natural but not Organic
Biotique calls itself a natural brand. It claims to use no chemicals or preservatives.
Although Biotique might use some organic ingredients, it is not a certified organic brand. Biotique does have an Organics Range, but this doesn’t have an organic certification either.
All products use a certain amount of synthetic ingredients in their formulas. Biotique is no exception – but it does choose to use better or clean synthetics.
If a synthetic ingredient is "clean," it means it is safe and non-toxic for us. Its purpose is to preserve the stability of a beauty formulation.
A few naturally-derived ingredients Biotique uses to enhance its cosmetics include:
Biotique Has A 91% Allergen-Free Ranking
According to Skin Safe, Biotique has a 91% allergen-free ranking for each product.
Many of Biotique’s products are free of allergens such as parabens, lanolin, gluten, MCI/MI, nickel, topical antibiotics, Propylene Glycol, irritants, dyes, and SLS.
Reading the ingredient list is crucial because Biotique is not 100% hypoallergenic or non-comedogenic, and they do not claim to be.
However, certain products are specifically for these concerns, so make sure you buy what your skin needs.
The EU/UK Have Stricter Ingredient Regulations
We don’t want to scare you, but you HAVE to read up on any product’s ingredient list before you make a purchase – especially if you live within the United States. The reason why will shock you.
The FDA has only banned or restricted 11 harmful chemicals from cosmetics within the country. Europe and the UK, on the other hand, have banned 1,328!
Biotique assures its customers that it contains no preservatives or chemicals, so you shouldn’t worry about any hidden severe nasties in its products. The brand is both FDA and EEC-approved.
With skincare and cosmetics, you want to avoid these ingredients:
Biotique Is Moderately Sustainable and Ethical
Unfortunately, Biotique does not talk about which causes they support or their environmental policies online.
All we know is that it:
Final Thoughts
We love that Biotique is female-founded, preserving the rich culture of India, and cruelty-free with some vegan options.
Of course, it would be best to see Biotique’s cruelty-free stance backed up by certification from Leaping Bunny.
We’d also appreciate more transparency about its ethical initiatives and where the brand sources mica and palm oil. The terminology ‘eco-friendly’ is a bit vague regarding packaging.
Clarity around how Biotique is good for the planet would go a long way.
The brand is from a developing country, and Biotique has kept its standards high despite the difficulties that come with that.
We didn’t get a response to our questions, but hopefully, as the brand grows, it’ll communicate more with potential shoppers- like you.
