The short answer: Yes, TONYMOLY is cruelty free.
The long answer: TONYMOLY is a South Korean cosmetic brand that was founded in 2006. Its name means “putting style into packaging,” which reflects the modern packaging of its skin care and makeup products.
On its US website, TONYMOLY states that they are against animal cruelty. “We do not test on animals! We love animals as much as we love you.” However, multiple sources confirm that the brand has been selling its cosmetic products in China since 2009. China has a mandatory rule that imported beauty items must be tested on animals before they can be released in the market. Aside from this, they also have the option to do arbitrary animal testing on products that are already on the shelves.
The good news is that TONYMOLY has confirmed that they no longer sell their products in mainland China. EthicalElephant.com revealed details of their correspondence, with the brand stating, “To be fully transparent, China does require all imported cosmetics to be tested on animals and you are right that our products in China did not get exempted from that requirement.” They added, “However, we acknowledge it is a serious issue and we’re happy to let you know that as of last year [2019], we have stopped importing our products into China’s market which led to the end of Tony Moly products being tested on animals.”
To purchase cruelty-free TONYMOLY items, visit their official website. Aside from TONYMOLY, discover which brands are cruelty free by exploring our growing list.
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