Lip Kit, anyone? Kylie Cosmetics aims to bring high-quality, effective, affordable makeup to Kylie Jenner’s fans. But has this business tycoon prioritized its vegan and cruelty-free policies?
Kylie Cosmetics 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. Kylie Cosmetics is also 100% vegan – it doesn't use any animal-derived ingredients.
Kylie Jenner has always loved makeup, so this business venture made sense. Since launching in 2016 with her famous Kylie Lip Kits, the brand has been renamed and changed ownership, with Coty Inc buying a 51% stake.
In 2021 Kylie Cosmetics also went clean and vegan. The brand has had many fun collaboration collections for holiday seasons with other franchises and other Kardashians.
As Kylie’s life evolves, so does her brand. She now has Kylie Skin and Kylie Baby! But this beauty brand is not without scandal (it goes with the family territory, though).
So where’s the catch? Can we trust Kylie Cosmetics' cruelty-free and vegan policies? Is it doing its best to remain ethical and sustainable?
Is Kylie Cosmetics Cruelty-Free and Vegan?
Kylie Cosmetics 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
Kylie Cosmetics is proudly cruelty-free and has chosen not to sell in regions where they’d have to test on animals for legal reasons.
The brand is owned by Coty, a company associated with animal testing, because it allows other brands to sell in these countries.
But does the brand have accreditation? Read on to find out.
This brings us to our next point:
Kylie Cosmetics is Vegan
This fun and accessible makeup brand is entirely vegan. It does not use any animal-derived ingredients in any of its products.
However, it's worth knowing that Kylie Cosmetics is the exception, 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 Kylie Cosmetics vegan products or finding brand alternatives – keep reading or click on this link: Kylie vegan products.
Animal Testing Policy and History
Kylie Cosmetics is committed to developing trendy, clean, and affordable cosmetics that are also cruelty-free. This has been its intention since it was founded.
Cruelty-Free Status in 2022
Here is a screenshot of Kylie Cosmetics' official statement regarding its cruelty-free policies and vegan products, taken from its website:
Certification
Kylie Cosmetics has no cruelty-free certification.
When a multi-million dollar brand that could easily be certified and claims to make “cruelty-free products” without any backing – we have to ask ourselves why?
The devil works hard, but Kris Jenner works harder. If this was important to the brand, the Jenner dynasty has the money and resources to make it happen.
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 ideal.
Is Kylie Cosmetics Sold Where Animal Testing is Required By Law?
Kylie Cosmetics does not distribute any of its products to mainland China or any country that requires animal testing on cosmetics by law.
If Kylie Cosmetics are bought online and shipped directly to a customer in China, then no testing would be required.
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?
The Best Vegan Kylie Cosmetics
Kylie Cosmetics has a great range of vegan products, and they’re proud of it too.
To save you some time, here are some of its most popular items to try:
You can check out the Kylie Cosmetics website for a complete list of its vegan products.
Vegan Alternatives to Kylie Cosmetics
We’re happy with what Kylie Cosmetics represents.
It's 100% cruelty-free, vegan, affordable, and users love the products.
But if the brand is not easily accessible to you, here are some alternatives to try:
Brand | price range | 100% vegan | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
$15 - $40 | Vegan | PETA | |
$20 - $60 | No, vegan- friendly | None | |
$15 - $200 | Yes | PETA, Choose Cruelty-Free | |
$20 - $50 | Yes | None | |
$15 - $40 | Yes | PETA |
Is Kylie Cosmetics Natural and Organic?
Kylie Cosmetics isn’t considered natural or organic.
However, it claims to use safe, simple, clean ingredients.
Its whole ethos is to make clean formulas and products that anyone can use.
Clean vs. Natural Ingredients
The term "natural" is not regulated for cosmetics and skincare. In other words, it doesn't hold one specific meaning.
Usually, it means a product is free of more toxic synthetic ingredients, including parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and more. But people also interpret "natural" to mean ingredients of immediate plant origin.
Here's the thing: "natural" is not necessarily good. Just because an ingredient is natural (take egg whites, for example) doesn't mean you should rub it on your skin and risk a salmonella infection!
All products use a certain amount of synthetic ingredients in their formulas. Kylie Cosmetics 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.
Does Kylie Cosmetics Use Safe Ingredients?
According to Skin Safe, Kylie Cosmetics has a 91% allergen-free ranking for each product.
Many of Kylie Cosmetic’s products are free of allergens such as parabens, lanolin, gluten, coconut, MCI/MI, soy, Propylene Glycol, and SLS.
Kylie Cosmetics has also leveled up its game by being completely hypoallergenic.
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!
Kylie Cosmetics 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.
But it’s still worth knowing which ingredients to avoid:
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 Kylie Cosmetics Sustainable and Ethical?
Kylie Cosmetics doesn’t show us its sustainability and ethical initiatives. Its commitment to cruelty-free, vegan and clean formulas is about all you’ll find.
While the Kardashian-Jenner clan knows a thing or two about million-dollar businesses, today’s consumer wants to see that they can trust a brand’s environment and sustainability choices.
Some of the ethical causes Kylie Cosmetics supports are Smile Train and the feminist organization Nest of Love. Kylie Jenner has also donated to the 2021 Australian Wildfires relief.
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.
Some of the ways Kylie Cosmetics could start taking strong environmental accountability is by:
Unfortunately, the shadiness doesn’t end there. Kylie Cosmetics is also known for being involved in quite a few scandals.
The Kylie Cosmetics Scandals
And there are more than a few…
Kylie has come under fire in a personal capacity for her lavish lifestyle, surgeries, parenting, and the list goes on.
But the biggest controversy of all is:
Did Kylie Jenner fake being the world’s youngest billionaire?
If you ask Forbes magazine- yes. The deal between Coty and Kylie revealed paperwork showing that Ms. Jenner had been inflating the size and income of the business for years!
In 2018, Forbes initially reported what Jenner had told them in an interview: Kylie Cosmetics was on track to earn $300 million by the end of that business year.
The world went crazy about this news.
In reality, Kylie Cosmetics bought less than half the projected amount by the close of 2018. And Kylie hadn’t just been inflating numbers to the media, but in tax filing too!
Can we trust Kylie Cosmetics?
Final Thoughts
We can’t deny that Kylie Cosmetics is a well-developed cosmetics brand.
The fact that they are cruelty-free and vegan is a step towards a more sustainable future in cosmetics.
Kyle Cosmetics is also open to the public about its testing, purchasing, and distribution policies.
Since the brand doesn’t share anything about its sustainability policies - activists might be wary about using the products.
But we wouldn't shut it down so quickly if we were you. Reach out and ask if you have any questions or queries.
This young brand is developing and listening to your needs, so keep following its movements.