Huxley uses the finest ingredients in minimal formulas that respect the skin barrier. We wish we could say the same about the brand respecting cruelty-free, vegan, and ethical policies.
Huxley 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.
Huxley was one of the first K-beauty brands to opt for a minimal look in a sea of cutesy, pink packaging.
It’s curious that Huxley speaks about its connection to the environment so much. Yet it doesn’t openly share its sustainability or animal-testing policies.
If you are still interested in supporting Huxley, please continue reading to ensure you know the facts about the brand you are supporting.
However, if you are looking for alternatives to Huxley in the same price range with the same quality, click here.
Huxley Ethical Overview
Huxley 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
Huxley is clear that they allow testing on animals when required by law.
Sadly, there is little information about its parent company Nord Mason Ltd and none about any other brands it may own.
Does Huxley Test on Animals?
Talk about the brand's animal testing history etc.
Huxley clarifies that it conducts animal testing when required by law, its statement wording typically means its ships to countries like China.
What Is Huxley's Cruelty-Free Status in 2022?
Here is a screenshot of Huxley’s official statement regarding its cruelty-free policies and vegan products, taken from its website:
Huxley Has No Cruelty-Free Certification
As disappointing as it is, we can’t see Huxley changing this without pressure from shoppers
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.
Did you know that in the US, most animal testing is regulated by the Animal Welfare Act (1966)? If you did know this, did you know that this act does not include birds, rats, and mice, which make up 95% of animals used in research?
Is Huxley Sold Where Animal Testing is Required By Law?
Yes, Huxley 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?
Huxley is Not Vegan
Huxley talks about plant-based ingredients, but it’s hard to consider any of its products free of animal-derived ingredients as “vegan” because it’s not 100% cruelty-free.
None of Huxley’s products use animal-derived ingredients, but we still wouldn’t consider them vegan.
Vegan Alternatives to Huxley
Brand | price range | 100% vegan | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
$5 - $15 | Yes | PETA, Leaping Bunny | |
$20 - $50 | Yes | Leaping Bunny | |
$5 - $70 | Yes | Leaping Bunny | |
$10 - $50 | Yes | Leaping Bunny | |
$3 - $24 | Yes | Leaping Bunny |
Huxley is Considered Natural and Organic
Huxley claims to be a natural and organic brand.
They are ECOCERT approved. This means the brand uses ingredients that are free of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or non-organic substances. It also certifies fair trade standards.
It also assures you that 95% of the plants in the products are organic, and at least 20% of organic ingredients are present in the formula.
All products use a certain amount of synthetic ingredients in their formulas. Huxley 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.
The naturally-derived ingredient Huxley uses to enhance all its skincare is:
Huxley Has A 91% Allergen-Free Ranking
According to Skin Safe, Huxley has a 91% allergen-free ranking for each product.
Many of Huxley’s products are free of allergens such as parabens, lanolin, coconut, topical antibiotics, nickel, MCI/MI, gluten, soy, irritants, dye, and SLS.
Huxley is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.
However, we recommend reading a product’s ingredient list before making your purchase, as formulas can be subject to change.
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!
Huxley sets a great example of what true clean beauty should be without labeling itself clean. And with that ECOCERT certification, you shouldn’t worry about any serious hidden nasties in its products.
With skincare and cosmetics, you want to avoid these ingredients:
Huxley Is Moderately Sustainable and Ethical
Unfortunately, Huxley does not talk about their environmental policies online. All we know is that it does have to adhere to these environmental standards to maintain its ECOCERT standing:
This is a good start…
But,
Huxley could take environmental accountability by
Final Thoughts
While we love Huxley’s dedication to minimal ingredients and packaging, the brand doesn’t make it easy to find out information about its ethical policies.
As nice as it may be that the cactus pear harvesting is fair trade, we don’t know if their palm oil is RSPO certified. Without transparency about sourcing or the rest of the supply chain.
These are two major red flags.
Most importantly, we’d love to see Huxley become cruelty-free certified but, as long as they value profits over animals, we can’t see that happening.