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LA MER is neither cruelty-free nor vegan. Whilst the brand may not test ingredients and products on animals personally, it likely works with suppliers or third parties who do so. It also sells products in markets where animal testing can be mandated by law.
Is LA MER Cruelty-Free?
LA MER is not cruelty-free!
The Estée Lauder owned skincare house may test ingredients or products on animals personally, and sells products in markets where animal testing can be required by law.
LA MER features on our list of brands who are not cruelty-free.
LA MER Ethical Overview
- No LA MER isn’t cruelty-free
- Yes it sells products in China
- No LA MER isn’t vegan as it is complicit in animal testing
- LA MER is not a natural brand – it has petrolatum and silicone-derived ingredients
- LA MER is owned by Estée Lauder
Is LA MER sold in China?
Yes LA MER sells products in mainland China. Clearly inheriting Estée Lauder’s policy on selling products in China.
LA MER entered the Chinese market in 2004, now featuring in 27 Chinese cities as one of the most popular skincare brands in the country. Despite courting controversy when the brand supposedly lied to consumers about its restorative effects, it continues to surge in popularity in China.
And selling imported cosmetics in China still puts products at risk of being tested on animals in pre or post market.
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.
Is LA MER Vegan?
LA MER is not a vegan brand.
Whilst Creme de LA MER is primarily made without animal byproducts – kelp, lime tea, stabilising ferment and marine algae – it’s complicit in animal testing.
Selling products in markets where animal testing can be mandated by law refutes any vegan status.
Cruelty-Free Alternatives to LA MER
FAQs
LA MER was bought by Estee Lauder in 1995 – an American multinational manufacturer and marketer of skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair care products that also owns other brands who test on animals like GLAMGLOW, Aerin and Jo Malone.
No LA MER isn’t certified cruelty-free by any organisations because the brand is complicit in cosmetic animal testing. Whilst it doesn’t personally test on animals, it pays local authorities to run these tests for them when required.
No LA MER isn’t Leaping Bunny certified as it is not cruelty-free. LA MER features in PETA’s ‘does test on animals‘ database.
LA MER sells products in markets where animal testing can be mandated by law. So is at least complicit in animal testing.
It may test products or ingredients on animals personally or work with third parties who do so for them.
Whilst LA MER is not a completely natural brand it is free-from multiple synthetic preservatives including; parabens and phthalates.
LA MER is not a natural brand. Even if its ingredient policy is focused on natural processes like fermentation. Whilst certain products are free-from synthetic preservatives like parabens and phthalates, others – like this moisturiser – contain petrolatum (like Vaseline).
