Essence is 100% cruelty free. None of their ingredients or finished products are tested on animals.
Although most of their products are vegan-friendly, Essence is not 100% vegan as a brand.
If you’re interested in learning more about this ethical makeup brand, keep on reading.
And if you want to explore some new Essence products, make sure to check out the last section of this post where I’ve listed some of their best-sellers.
Let’s dive right in!
Is Essence cruelty free? Are Essence products tested on animals?
Essence doesn’t test on animals and is 100% cruelty free.
- Essence finished products aren’t tested on animals by anyone, anywhere in the world
- The ingredients used in their products are never tested on animals by anyone, anywhere in the world
- Third parties never test Essence products on animals
- Essence is not sold in mainland China, or in any country where animal testing is still required by law
Essence is certified cruelty free by PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program.
If you don’t know the differences between the different cruelty free certifications, check out my post Cruelty Free Certifications Explained: Who Can You Trust?.
Testing on animals is a no-go for essence. We do not conduct animal testing and do not commission anyone else to do so either. Not in the Germany or anywhere else in the world. We never have and we never will. The contracts with our clients state that they must manufacture products in compliance with European Union law, which strictly prohibits testing on animals. To us, this is a matter of course – and always has been on a voluntary basis – because we know that we can manufacture good and safe products without torturing animals. In the cosmetics industry, alternative tests have been used for many years instead of testing on animals.
source: Essence
Keep on reading for more information!
Is Essence sold in China?
No, Essence products are NOT sold in physical stores in mainland China.
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 Essence owned by a parent brand? If yes, is it cruelty free?
Essence is owned by Cosnova GmbH, a cruelty free company.
Cosnova also owns Catrice Cosmetics and L.O.V Cosmetics, both of which are cruelty free.
Is Essence vegan?
Essence is not a 100% vegan brand.
However, 84% of their products are vegan, and they aim to reach 100% vegan soon.
84 % of our products are already vegan*. This includes many of our bestsellers. Our goal is that our whole range consists of vegan products – that’s why we will only be releasing new cosmetics without any ingredients of animal origin.
Source: the Essence website
* Since September 2020
All of their vegan products are labeled on the packaging, so if you’re looking for vegan products, check for that label.
In conclusion, Essence is a vegan-friendly brand, but is not 100% vegan.
Best Essence products
Essence is an affordable and cruelty free makeup brand that sells eye, lip and face makeup, as well as nail polish and makeup brushes.
Make sure to try some of their vegan best-sellers! You can start with the award-winning essence Pure NUDE Highlighter, or maybe the essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara.
Now, I’d like to hear from you!
Have you tried any Essence products? If so, what are your favorites?
Tell me in the comments below!