Son & Park’s minimalist K-beauty products have taken the world by storm! It’s such a pity that their cruelty-free and vegan policies are lacking, with no mention of sustainability.
Son & Park 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 was one of the first K-Beauty to multitask and encourage skipping steps in complex skincare routines. Inside Beauty Water’s gorgeous bottle is a formula that cleanses, exfoliates and hydrates to prep skin for makeup.
But having makeup artists as developers (and product fans) doesn’t make a product ethical, sustainable, or kind. Son & Park's cruelty-free and vegan policies don’t even seem to exist.
However, if you are looking for alternatives to Son & Park in the same price range with the same quality, click here.
Son & Park Ethical Overview
Son & Park 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
Son & Park is independently owned.
Does Son & Park Test on Animals?
Son & Park is manufactured in Kor,ean where animal testing is illegal- with very few loopholes.
You can read more about that by clicking through to Are Korean Skin-Care Products Cruelty-Free?
But the brand conducts animal testing when required by law, and it does ship to countries like China.
What Is Son & Park’s Cruelty-Free Status in 2023?
Like many Korean beauty brands. Son & Park doesn’t provide an official statement regarding its cruelty-free policies and vegan products on its website.
We contacted Son & Park to request an animal testing statement but unfortunately, we haven’t heard from them. We’ll update this article if we do receive a response.
Son & Park Has No Cruelty-Free Certification
Ideally, all brands should be Leaping Bunny certified.
But for that, Son & Park would need to reconsider WHERE they sell their products.
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 Son & Park Sold Where Animal Testing is Required By Law?
Son & Park 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?
Son & Park is Not Vegan
Although Son & Park claims to have vegetarian and vegan ranges, it’s hard to consider any of its products that are free of animal-derived ingredients as “vegan” because it’s not 100% cruelty-free.
This is despite some of their products having certification from The Vegan Society.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 Son & Park uses are: (beeswax / royal jelly / lanolin / pearl extract/ carmine)
Vegan Alternatives to Son & Park
Brand | price range | 100% vegan | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
$5 - $15 | Yes | PETA, Leaping Bunny | |
$21 - $67 | Yes | PETA, KARA | |
$20 - $50 | Yes | Leaping Bunny | |
$4 - $135 | Yes | Leaping Bunny | |
$15 - $30 | Yes | Leaping Bunny |
Son & Park is Not Considered Natural, or Organic
Son & Park isn’t considered natural or organic.
However, it does claim to use safe, simple, and clean ingredients.
Its whole ethos is to make clean formulas and products that anyone can use.
All products use a certain amount of synthetic ingredients in their formulas. Son & Park 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.
Son & Park Has No Allergen-Free Ranking
None of Son & Park’s products are listed on Skin Safe but no products contain parabens.
Reading the ingredient list is crucial because Son & Park 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!
Son & Park are not a clean beauty brand, but you shouldn’t have to worry about any serious hidden nasties in its products.
It’s still worth knowing that with skincare and cosmetics, you want to avoid these ingredients:
Son & Park Is Not Sustainable or Ethical
Son & Park does not mention any sustainability and ethical initiatives on their website. We also checked their Instagram but found a mix of beauty content with skincare tips and memes.
Final Thoughts
It’s really disappointing that Son & Park is not cruelty-free, or vegan (in our opinion) with so little information about sustainability and ethical initiatives.
Considering that one of their products is considered a K-beauty holy grail, the lack of transparency on their supply chain and how they source ingredients is also disheartening.
We’d love to know if some of the beautiful packaging is recycled or recyclable, but they don’t tell us.
If you’re an environmental activist or concerned with animal welfare, we suggest you stay far away from Son & Park.
