How to Buy Cruelty-Free Hair Products

Many large and popular hair product companies still test on animals and use animal by-products as ingredients despite worldwide efforts to stop it. Fortunately, you don't need to go without your favorite hair products; all you need is a little consumer savvy. Follow these easy steps to buy cruelty-free hair products.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Find a list of cruelty-free manufacturers online. Websites such as PETA keep updated lists of companies that are dedicated to cruelty-free production and ingredients.
2. Read the label of every product you buy. Cruelty-free companies advertise their products as such. If the label does not say "cruelty-free" or "not tested on animals," it's likely they do use inhumane and cruel procedures on animals to test their products.
3. Choose vegan products. Cruelty-free often means only that the product was not tested on animals. Vegan hair products contain absolutely no animal ingredients at all. If a product is not advertised as vegan, check the ingredient label to ensure there are no animal by-products such as stearyl alcohol, common in many shampoos and made from sperm whale oil. Find a list of common animal ingredients at PETA's website and a large selection of vegan hair products at Ulta.
4. Shop at health and natural food stores or salons instead of common drugstores. While they specialize in natural food, many health food stores also carry a selection of natural, vegetarian and cruelty-free hair products.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider making your own hair products. You can find a variety of recipes online and create cruelty-free, plant-based ingredients for your own hair needs.
• Be aware of products labeled "natural." The beauty industry has taken advantage of consumer interest in cruelty-free products. "Natural" does not always mean cruelty-free.