Is Vichy Cruelty Free and Vegan? (2024 Update)

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

Additionally, Vichy 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 luxury cruelty free 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 Vichy cruelty free alternatives.

Let’s dive right in!

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

Vichy 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 take a look at Vichy’s official animal testing policy (I’ve highlighted the important part):

Vichy does not test any of its products or any of its ingredients on animals, anywhere in the world nor does Vichy delegate this task to others. The only possible exception is if regulatory authorities required it for safety or regulatory purposes.
Source: Vichy

In the highlighted point, Vichy is referring to mainland China, where animal testing is still required by law.

Since Vichy does sell their products in mainland China, their products may be subjected to animal testing there.

Therefore, Vichy is not cruelty free.

Vichy is listed in PETA’s list of companies that do test on animals.

Keep on reading for more information!

Is Vichy sold in China?

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

Vichy first entered the China market in July 1998, and became the first brand in the country to sell cosmetics in pharmacies.
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 Vichy owned by a parent brand? If yes, is it cruelty free?

Vichy is owned by L’Oreal, a company that tests on animals.

I have an entire post dedicated to L’Oréal’s cruelty free status and animal testing policy, so if you want to learn more, check it out.

Is Vichy vegan?

Vichy is not 100% vegan. Some of their products contain animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products.

Also, please keep in mind that since Vichy products may be tested on animals in mainland China, I definitely wouldn’t consider them as a vegan-friendly brand.