Good Molecules is all about practical and affordable skincare that helps people understand what they’re putting on their faces. If transparency is vital for this ingredient-forward skincare brand – are they cruelty-free and vegan?
Good Molecules is cruelty-free. It doesn't conduct animal testing on its products, nor does it distribute its cosmetics where animal testing is required by law. Good Molecules is also 100% vegan – it doesn't use any animal-derived ingredients.
A group of beauty industry veterans came together to create a skincare brand that used the best active ingredients and was backed up by research.
And if Good Molecules’ back story sounds like this brand will require the average person’s rent for a monthly serum fix – think again.
Founder Nils Johnson firmly believes that high-quality skincare should be affordable too. He says, “The world has too many products that cost too much and don’t work.”
But why did such a simple brand prioritize cruelty-free policies and veganism? And can we trust it?
Is Good Molecules Cruelty-Free and Vegan?
Good Molecules is 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
Good Molecules has Leaping Bunny certification – the only internationally recognized certification guarantees a brand is cruelty-free.
The brand is also privately owned, with no known association with animal testing. Boom!
This brings us to our next point:
Good Molecules is Vegan
It’s not too good to be true – this well-priced and accessible skincare brand is entirely vegan.
Good Molecules does not use any animal-derived ingredients in any of its products.
However, it's worth knowing that this is the exception and not the rule.
Most mainstream skincare brands are not 100% vegan. Some animal-derived ingredients to look out for in general include honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, carmine, and squalane.
If you're interested in the best Good Molecules vegan products or finding brand alternatives – keep reading or click on this link: Good Molecules vegan products.
Animal Testing Policy and History
Good Molecules is committed to creating clean, effective, and affordable skincare. It has been cruelty-free from the start (even if they don’t mention it much online).
Cruelty-Free Status in 2022
Good Molecules does not provide an official statement regarding its cruelty-free policies and vegan products on its website. So we emailed the brand and asked for their statement:
Certification
Good Molecules is Leaping Bunny certified.
While you might know PETA very well – it surprisingly doesn’t hold the strictest cruelty-free regulations. It only requires a brand’s written consent that abides by the PETA code of conduct.
Certification from Leaping Bunny is ideal because it holds rigorous standards and does regular audits to ensure they are upheld.
Is Good Molecules Sold Where Animal Testing is Required By Law?
Another win - Good Molecules does not distribute any of its products to mainland China or any country that requires animal testing on cosmetics by law.
But if you live in China or are concerned about its cruel beauty policies, there are a couple of loopholes you can use to get cruelty-free cosmetics there: Are Cosmetics Made in China Cruelty-Free?
And you might want to support the cause asap! China has a shocking track record. It is the country with the most animal testing globally, with over 20 million animals used per year.
What Good Molecules Products Are Vegan?
Good Molecules is 100% vegan with a diverse range of skincare products.
If you’re having trouble choosing just one (which we can understand) – here are some of its most popular skincare products we suggest:
You’ll find a complete list of Good Molecules' vegan products on its website!
Vegan Alternatives to Good Molecules
We’re all for Good Molecules and what the brand represents.
It's 100% cruelty-free, vegan, affordable, and users claim it to be effective too.
But if the brand is not easily accessible to you, here are some other options to choose from:
Brand | price range | 100% vegan | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
$10 - $40 | Yes | PETA, Leaping Bunny | |
$20 - $50 | Yes | Leaping Bunny | |
$20 - $70 | Yes | PETA, Leaping Bunny | |
Blume | $10 - $50 | Yes | PETA, Leaping Bunny |
The Vegan Glow | $10 - $30 | Yes | PETA, Leaping Bunny |
Is Good Molecules Natural and Organic?
Good Molecules doesn’t claim to be natural or organic.
However, it does claim to use safe ingredients that are occasionally naturally derived.
Its whole ethos is to make affordable formulas and products that anyone can use.
While Good Molecules does use clean ingredients – it doesn’t consider itself a clean brand.
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.
Does Good Molecules Use Safe Ingredients?
According to Skin Safe, Good Molecules has a 90- 100% allergen-free ranking for 21 products.
All Good Molecules products are free of allergens such as topical antibiotics, parabens, gluten, MCI/MI, nickel, and soy.
Reading the ingredient list is crucial because Good Molecules is not 100% hypoallergenic or non-comedogenic, and they do not claim to be.
The EU/UK Have Stricter Ingredient Regulations
You HAVE to read up on any product’s ingredient list before you make a purchase – especially if you live in 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!
Luckily, Good Molecule sets a great example of what true clean beauty is meant to be. You shouldn’t have to worry about any serious hidden nasties in its products.
Some skincare ingredients to avoid include:
Are Cruelty-Free Ingredients Safe?
There is no reason why cruelty-free products shouldn’t be as safe as anything tested on animals.
Not only is it easy to test ingredients without using animals altogether, but there are so many pre-approved ingredients you can use to make cosmetics that there is no need.
If you’re interested, here’s more on the subject: Are Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Safe?
Is Good Molecules Sustainable and Ethical?
Good molecules does take some solid environmental accountability by:
The brand’s most ethical cause, however, is that it strives to be radically transparent with its customers. It lists everything in its formulas, right down to its water vs. active ingredient percentages.
What’s unique about this marketing strategy is that it empowers you to decide what products you use and why.
It makes you really consider if you’re paying for quality or packaging.
Final Thoughts
Good Molecules takes various ethical factors into consideration. The fact that they are cruelty-free and vegan is a step towards a sustainable future in cosmetics we’re striving to achieve.
Its transparency towards the public is refreshing and something we hope to see more from other brands.
Of course, since Good Molecules doesn’t have a full scope of sustainability measures – it might leave you with a raised eyebrow. Especially since the brand also uses palm oil as an ingredient. (And won’t confirm if it's sustainably sourced.)
In saying that, we wouldn't shut them down so quickly if we were you. This young brand is developing and listening to your needs, so keep following its movements.
