Head and Shoulders is not cruelty free because their products or ingredients are tested on animals.
Additionally, Head and Shoulders 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 cruelty free products to add to your hair care routine, make sure to check out the last section of this post where you’ll find some of the best Head and Shoulders cruelty free alternatives.
Let’s dive right in!
Is Head and Shoulders cruelty free? Are Head and Shoulders products tested on animals?
Head and Shoulders 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 Head and Shoulders’s animal testing policy (I’ve highlighted the important point):
Q: Does Head & Shoulders test products on animals?
We believe that eliminating animal testing is the right thing to do. We do not test our products on animals. In fact, animal testing on cosmetics is banned in Europe and we have not tested a finished product on animals in over a decade.
Q: Some companies claim to not test products or ingredients on animals. If they can, why can’t you?
In fact, we have not tested a finished product on animals in over a decade, but we choose not to make this claim because we want to be straight with you. Nearly every ingredient used in consumer products today has been tested in the past and some laws require animal testing still today. That’s why we’re putting so much effort behind developing non-animal alternatives, and working with global authorities for their acceptance as the most meaningful solution to ultimately eliminate research involving animals.
Source: Head and Shoulders
They state that they don’t test their finished products on animals.
But what about the ingredients? And what about third parties testing their finished products or ingredients on animals?
However, Head and Shoulders also admits that their products are sold in countries where animal testing is still required by law – in mainland China.
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, Head and Shoulders is not cruelty free.
Additionally, Head and Shoulders is on PETA’s list of companies that test on animals.
Keep on reading for more information!
Is Head and Shoulders sold in China?
Head and Shoulders is sold in mainland China where animal testing is still required by law.
Procter & Gamble (P&G) owns star brands such as Head & Shoulders, Rejoice, OLAY, etc. It is one of the largest consumer goods companies around the world. P&G in China was the first to crack the Chinese shampoo market, and it has remained in the Chinese shampoo market for 30 years.
Source: Daxue Consulting
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 Head and Shoulders owned by a parent brand? If yes, is it cruelty free?
Head and Shoulders is owned by Procter & Gamble, a company that tests on animals.
P&G also owns other non-cruelty free brands including: Pantene, Olay, Gillette, Always, Ariel, Pampers and Gain, to name a few.
Is Head and Shoulders vegan?
Head and Shoulders is not 100% vegan, because some of their products contain animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products.
Additionally, please note that since Head and Shoulders 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 Head and Shoulders
Head and Shoulders is a hair care brand. They sell all types of anti-dandruff shampoo, conditioner, various hair styling products, and more.
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 Head and Shoulders are:
Now it’s your turn!
What are your favorite cruelty free brands?
Let me know in the comments below!
Hi I have used Head and Shoulders for years, until I found out that you test your products on animals.
its been more than 5 years now I haven’t used Head and shoulders and I don’t let anyone use it in my family.
I want to know in this modern world where all shampoo brands are going vegan and cruelty free. Proctor and Gamble being such a huge company why is it that you are so unsuccessful at becoming cruelty free. Is it that difficult to show humanity in todays modern world.
You know I see all these big brands going cruelty free, and I am waiting for Head and Shoulders to do the same but it seems like you guys are still living in 1950s, this is so disappointing. You have no idea how many customers you are loosing.
I am not getting an answer does Head and shoulders test on animals in the USA because I know in Europe it is banned then how come you are not banning it here in USA?
Please reply I am really looking for an answer.