AmorePacific is not cruelty free because their products are tested on animals where required by law (in mainland China).
Additionally, AmorePacific is not 100% vegan as a brand.
To learn more about this brand and find out why they’re not cruelty free, keep on reading!
By the way, if you’re looking for new Korean beauty products to add to your beauty routine, make sure to check out the last section of this post where you’ll find some of the best AmorePacific cruelty free alternatives.
Let’s dive right in!
Is AmorePacific cruelty free? Are AmorePacific products tested on animals?
AmorePacific is NOT cruelty free.
In order to be cruelty free, brands:
- Must not test their finished products or ingredients on animals
- Must make sure that their suppliers don’t test on animals
- Must not commission third parties to test their products on animals
- Must not sell their products in stores in mainland China, or other countries where animal testing is still required by law
Let’s look at AmorePacific’s animal testing policy (I’ve highlighted the important part):
DECLARATION OF BASIC PRINCIPLES ON ANIMAL TESTING
source: AmorePacific
As an enterprise seeking peaceful coexistence between nature, human beings and businesses, AmorePacific pledges elimination of unnecessary animal testing for cosmetics to respect all living creatures. We have voluntarily discontinued animal testing on cosmetic ingredients and finished goods since 2008. And as of May 1, 2013, will expand the non-animal testing policy to our suppliers.
Through continuous cooperation with academia, AmorePacific will further enhance our efforts to develop alternative testing methods.
*Exeptions to this principle will apply however, if animal testing is required or bound by local governments or laws.
In the highlighted part, AmorePacific is referring to mainland China, where animal testing is still required by law.
Currently, all brands that sell their products in stores in mainland China have to agree to have their products tested on animals, so they can’t be cruelty free.
Therefore, AmorePacific is not cruelty free.
Keep on reading for more information!
Is AmorePacific sold in China?
AmorePacific is sold in mainland China where animal testing is still required by law.
Since the establishment of corporation in China in 2000, AmorePacific has introduced its five Global Champion Brands in consecutive order in China, starting with LANEIGE in 2002 followed by Mamonde(2005), Sulwhasoo(2011), innisfree(2012) and ETUDE HOUSE(2013). As the next global brands, Ryo and IOPE were also launched in China in 2013 and 2015 respectively.
Source: AmorePacific
Why can’t cruelty free brands sell in mainland China?
Animal testing is still happening for products sold in physical stores in mainland China.
Pre-market animal testing is required for all special-use imported products, and non-routine post-market testing on animals may also be done in cases of customer complaints.
However, please keep in mind that this doesn’t apply to products sold in stores at the airports, or in Hong Kong.
Also, products can be sold online and shipped to mainland China without being tested on animals.
Is AmorePacific owned by a parent brand? If yes, is it cruelty free?
AmorePacific is not owned by a parent company.
However, AmorePacific is a beauty and cosmetics conglomerate which owns a large number of Korean beauty brands, including Laneige, Sulwhasoo, IOPE and Etude House, which aren’t cruelty free.
Is AmorePacific vegan?
AmorePacific is not 100% vegan. Some of their products contain animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products.
Additionally, please note that since AmorePacific products may be tested on animals in China and are therefore not cruelty free, I wouldn’t consider them vegan-friendly.
Cruelty free and vegan alternatives to AmorePacific
AmorePacific is a popular K-Beauty brand. They’re mostly well-known for their skincare products.
There are so many beauty brands that are cruelty free!
That’s why, in my opinion, there’s really no excuse for supporting brands that test on animals.
Some of the best cruelty free alternatives to AmorePacific are:
If you want to discover more Korean beauty skincare brands, check out my post on Cruelty Free Korean Skin Care: 7 Best K-Beauty Brands (2021 Update).
Now it’s your turn!
What are your favorite cruelty free brands?
Let me know in the comments below!