Clinique is a brand that feels like it’s been around forever with its iconic chic packaging and science-based formulas. Unfortunately, when it comes to solid cruelty-free ad vegan policies we can trust, Clinique has still not made any major steps.
Clinique is not 100% cruelty-free or vegan, as its products are sold where animal testing is required by law. It also cannot be considered vegan as it is not cruelty-free.
This article had a huge influence and led to Clinique officially opening in 1968 with the idea that skincare needed a more focused approach. Clinique began selling their 3-step cleanser, exfoliating, and moisturizing method.
Seems simple enough, but 55 years ago, it was pretty much revolutionary.
Since then, this cosmetics giant has become associated with high-end stores and expanded into makeup and fragrances. And with the newest resurgence of their decades-old ‘Black Honey lipstick’, Clinique is still keeping up their popularity.
But while Clinique has been around for decades with its formulas, the brand has still not made an effort to be cruelty-free and vegan. What’s holding them back?
However, if you are looking for alternatives to Clinique in the same price range with the same quality, click here.
Clinique Ethical Overview
Clinique is Not 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.
YES
Clinique might claim to be working towards getting animal testing banned worldwide, but that hasn’t stopped them from distributing their products where it’s required by law.
The brand is also owned by Estée Lauder, a cosmetics giant that, similarly to Clinique, allows animal testing when required by law.
Does Clinique Test on Animals?
After 55 years of creating and selling products, Clinique still has not become 100% cruelty-free.
Clinique has a stance on cruelty-free cosmetics, claiming to be completely against animal testing, but that stance apparently doesn’t apply when it comes to mandatory testing by law.
Clinique still sells products in mainland China where animal testing is required by law, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon.
What Is Clinique’s Cruelty-Free Status in 2023?
Here is a screenshot of Clinique’s official statement regarding its cruelty-free policies and vegan products, taken from its website:
Clinique Has No Cruelty-Free Certification
Without a clear and solid stance on animal testing, Clinique won’t get any certifications soon.
As long as Clinique continues selling products in mainland China, no reputable company can stand behind them.
A Leaping Bunny certification proves that:
Is OGX Sold Where Animal Testing is Required By Law?
Yes, Clinique distributes its products in China, where animal testing on cosmetics is required as products arrive at the border.
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?Clinique is Not Vegan
Beyond the fact that Clinique still uses many animal-derived ingredients in its products, none of the products can ever be considered vegan when the brand still allows animal testing on its products.
It’s not enough for a product to be free of animal-derived ingredients. In our opinion, brands can only be vegan when they are 100% cruelty-free too.
Some of the most common animal-derived ingredients that Clinique uses are honey, beeswax, lanolin, squalane, carmine, 7-dehydrocholesterol, cholesterol, glucosamine, and oleic acid.
Vegan Alternatives to Clinique
Brand | price range | 100% vegan | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
$10 - $50 | Yes | Leaping Bunny | |
$30 - $80 | Yes | PETA, Leaping Bunny | |
$20 - $90 | Yes | PETA, Leaping Bunny | |
$9 - $65 | Yes | Leaping Bunny | |
$5 - $180 | Yes | PETA, Choose Cruelty Free |
Clinique is Not Natural or Organic
Being natural or organic isn’t a big priority for Clinique. You won’t find many naturally derived ingredients in most of the formulas, nor are they highlighted by the brand.
Clinique is not for those who are looking for formulas with ingredients that they can easily say.
This isn’t to say the synthetic ingredients Clinique uses regularly are necessarily bad.
All products use a certain amount of synthetic ingredients in their formulas. Clinique 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.