Holika Holika is simple and practical for those who still want some hydrating Korean skincare without breaking the bank. They can give you moisture, but unfortunately, their cruelty-free and vegan policies are lacking.
Holika Holika 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.
The name comes from the English suffix “–holic” and Korean “holida” and together, they apparently make up the core concept of the brand of addiction and temptation – an interesting decision we can give them that.
Holika Holika has become one of the more popular choices for Korean Skincare that’s been entering the worldwide market.
It’s easy to see why but prepare to be disappointed with their lack of everything from their cruelty-free and vegan policies to their sustainability and ethical initiatives.
Holika Holika Ethical Overview
Holika Holika 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
Holika Holika can’t be considered cruelty-free when there is little to no information on their policies, and they sell their products in China.
The brand is owned by Enprani Co. Ltd, another Korean cosmetic brand with as much information on their cruelty-free policies as Holika Holika – none.
Does Holika Holika Test on Animals?
Holika Holika doesn’t have a long or complicated history when testing its products on animals.
As the brand is Korean, they don’t test their products themselves (since animal testing has been officially banned since 2018 in Korea).
This does not apply, however, to the other countries they sell to that require animal testing by law, like China.
With no cruelty-free policies in sight, it’s safe to say they have no initiatives to end animal testing in their distribution process anytime soon.
What Is Holika Holika Cruelty-Free Status in 2023?
Holika Holika has no official statement regarding its cruelty-free policies and vegan products on its website or social media.
Holika Holika Has No Cruelty-Free Certification
With no cruelty-free policies in sight; it’s not difficult to see why Holika Holika has no cruelty-free certification.
If the brand ever decides to become cruelty-free, it’ll have to get a reputable certification to convince us.
The strictest cruelty-free regulations. Leaping Bunny certification is the gold standard to live up to.
Is Holika Holika Sold Where Animal Testing is Required By Law?
Holika Holika 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?
Holika Holika is Not Vegan
Even if you could find a product that Holika Holika sells that is free from animal-derived ingredients; it’s hard to consider anything truly “vegan” because it’s not 100% cruelty-free.
Does it have products that are free of animal-derived ingredients? Yes.
Are these products considered holistically vegan? Not in our opinion.
Some of the most common animal-derived ingredients that Holika Holika uses are: honey, collagen, shellac, milk, and Glycosphingolipids.
Vegan Alternatives to Holika Holika
Brand | price range | 100% vegan | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
$20 - $60 | Yes | Leaping Bunny | |
$5 - $15 | Yes | PETA, Leaping Bunny | |
$20 - $50 | Yes | PETA, Leaping Bunny | |
$5 - $20 | Yes | Leaping Bunny | |
$10 - $75 | Yes | Leaping Bunny |
Holika Holika is Not Considered Natural and Organic
Holika Holika does not claim to be natural or organic.
While they aim to enhance your natural beauty with some natural ingredients included, the brand uses safe synthetics that are safe for anyone to use.
All products use a certain amount of synthetic ingredients in their formulas. Holika Holika 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.
Holika Holika Has A 91% Allergen-Free Ranking
According to Skin Safe, Holika Holika has a 91% allergen-free ranking for each product.
Holika Holika’s products are free of allergens such as gluten, coconut, nickel, top common allergy-causing preservatives, lanolin, paraben, topical antibiotic, MCI/MI, soy, propylene glycol, irritant/acid, dye, and SLS.
Reading the ingredient list is crucial because Holika Holika 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!
Luckily, Holika Holika sets a great example of what true clean beauty is meant to be, and you shouldn’t have to worry about any serious hidden nasties in its products.
With skincare and cosmetics, you want to avoid these ingredients:
Holika Holika is Not Sustainable and Ethical
Holika Holika doesn’t currently support any ethical causes.
It's no secret that the world has a huge waste problem, and cosmetic brands only make it worse by using unsustainable packaging and harmful ingredients.
There isn't much to see when it comes to Holika Holika’s sustainability and environmental policies. There are vague mentions of things like reduced plastic and recycled pulp for packaging, but nothing concrete and reputable.
Final Thoughts
Holika Holika doesn’t feel as put together as a brand as it should.
Everything from their cruelty-free and vegan policies to their sustainability and ethical initiatives is non-existent or has nothing to back up the claim. It just isn’t enough to call yourself eco-friendly anymore.
Transparency is not a word you can apply to this brand, it’s something they can work on, but we won’t hold our breath at this rate.
As consumers, we can demand certifications and initiatives, but that’s never going to happen when they don’t even have a solid and publically available stance on ethics and sustainability.
