Avene Cruelty-Free & Vegan Review

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Avene is neither cruelty-free nor vegan as it sells products in markets where animal testing can be mandated by law and uses animal derived ingredients in some products.

Is Avene Cruelty-Free?

No Avene isn’t cruelty-free because it sells in mainland China where animal testing is required by law. 

Whilst it doesn’t test its finished products on animals personally, Avene is complicit in authorities potentially testing its products in animals.

Avene’s Ethical Policies Summed Up

Avene Aqua Gel
  • No Avene isn’t cruelty-free
  • Yes its products are sold in mainland China
  • Avene is not vegan
  • Or palm oil free
  • And is owned by Pierre Fabre SA

Does Avene Sell Products in China?

Yes Avene sells its products in mainland China where animal testing can be mandated by law – in either pre or post production.

Chinese laws dictate that some imported beauty products must be submitted for animal testing before they can be approved for sale. 

UPDATE: Whilst we cannot now claim that countries involved in selling products in China can be cruelty-free, China’s animal testing policy is no longer as black and white is it seemed. 

What is Avene’s Official Stance on Animal Testing?

Avene's animal testing policy statement

Avene claim to be against animal testing. And whilst it states ‘we comply with EU regulations by not testing cosmetics on animals,’ Avene is complicit in animal testing on vanity products.

Is Avene Vegan?

No Avene is not a certified vegan brand. 

It claims that ‘where possible we try to avoid the use of animal-based or animal-derived ingredients… But we cannot guarantee our products do not contain any animal byproducts.’

Now because Avene aren’t cruelty-free we couldn’t consider them vegan.

Who owns Avene?

Avene is owned by Pierre Fabre SA, a French pharmaceutical and dermocosmetics group who are complicit in products being tested on animals. 

What is Pierre Fabre’s Stance on Animal Testing?

Pierre Fabre's animal testing policy

Pierre Fabre have no visible stance on animal testing and this is the closest we could find to a company statement. 

Essentially it covers the fact Pierre Fabre complies with the 2003 EU Directive and the implementation of substitution tests that don’t involve animals. 

But it seems like all of its brands are complicit in animal testing as they all seem to sell in China. 

Cruelty-Free Alternative to Avene

FAQs

Is Avene certified cruelty-free by any organisation?

No Avene isn’t certified cruelty-free by any organisation because it sells it’s products in territories where animal testing is required by law, including mainland China. 

They are on PETA’s ‘do test on animals’ list

Is Avene Leaping Bunny certified?

No Avene isn’t Leaping Bunny certified.  

Is Avene vegetarian?

No we don’t believe Avene is a vegetarian brand as it, rather amazingly, claims that any of its products could contain animal-derived ingredients. 

Does Avene use palm oil?

Yes Avene uses palm oil in multiple products – albeit it is RSPO certified sustainable.

Is Avene paraben-free?

Yes Avene is paraben-free. But there are other excellent cruelty and paraben-free companies like

Is Avene organic?

No Avene isn’t organic. It’s emphasis is more on ingredient safety and quality.

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