The short answer: No, SkinCeuticals is not cruelty free.
The long answer: SkinCeuticals was founded in 1997 by Dr. Sheldon Pinnell, a scientist, dermatologist, and skincare chemist whose aim was to change the face of topical antioxidants. The brand promises to create advanced skincare products backed by science. In 2005, the L’Oréal Group purchased the American skin care line.
On its website, SkinCeuticals claims that it “does not test any of its products or any of its ingredients on animals, anywhere in the world nor does SkinCeuticals delegate this task to others. The only possible exception is if regulatory authorities required it for safety or regulatory purposes.” The so-called exception pertains to China, a massive country where products by SkinCeuticals and its sister brands Vichy Laboratories and La Roche-Posay are being sold. SkinCeuticals grants Chinese health officials and/or authorised third parties permission to conduct animal testing with their products, guaranteeing that they are safe for human use. Because of this, the skin care brand cannot be called cruelty free.
References:
Is SkinCeuticals Cruelty-Free?
