Is Pantene Cruelty Free and Vegan? (2024 Update)

Pantene is not cruelty free because their products are tested on animals where required by law (in mainland China).

Additionally, Pantene 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 Pantene cruelty free alternatives.

Let’s dive right in!

Is Pantene cruelty free? Are Pantene products tested on animals?

Pantene 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 Pantene’s animal testing policy (I’ve highlighted the important point):

Pantene is calling for an end to animal testing in hair care and the beauty industry. We do not believe animal tests are necessary to evaluate the safety or performance of products. Pantene does not test our products on animals.
Pantene is actively working closely with governments around the world to provide alternative research methods that eliminate the need to test on animals.
In the case of governments that still mandate animal tests, such as in China, Pantene is committed to working alongside those authorities and scientists to have alternative testing methods recognized and enable the cosmetics regulation to evolve towards a total elimination of animal testing.
Source: Pantene

So, Pantene admits that their products or ingredients are tested on animals where 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, Pantene is not cruelty free.

Additionally, Pantene is on PETA’s list of companies that test on animals.

In their animal testing policy, they also talk about their efforts to stop animal testing by investing in researching non-animal testing alternatives, and partnering with the Humane Society International, which is admirable.

However, in my opinion, if they really wanted to make a difference, they would stop selling on the Chinese market where animal testing is still happening.

Keep on reading for more information!

Is Pantene sold in China?

Pantene is sold in mainland China where animal testing is still required by law.

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 Pantene owned by a parent brand? If yes, is it cruelty free?

Pantene is owned by Procter & Gamble, a company that tests on animals.

P&G also owns other non-cruelty free brands including: Gillette, Always, Ariel, Pampers and Gain, to name a few.

Is Pantene vegan?

Pantene is not 100% vegan, because some of their products contain animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products.

Additionally, please note that since Pantene 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 Pantene

Pantene is a beauty brand focused on hair care products. They sell 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 Pantene are:

Now it’s your turn!

What are your favorite cruelty free brands?

Let me know in the comments below!