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Mac is not cruelty-free as it sells products in markets where pre or post market testing can be mandated by law. It is also neither vegan nor palm oil free.
Is MAC Cruelty-Free?
MAC is not cruelty-free. It sells products in markets where animal testing is required by law.
And whilst it’s unclear if MAC itself tests on animals, it is complicit in pre or post-market animal testing and its suppliers may test on animals too.
MAC Ethical Overview
- MAC isn’t cruelty-free
- It does sell products in China
- It isn’t vegan
- But is vegetarian
- And MAC is not palm oil free as it inherits Estee Lauder’s palm oil policy
- MAC is owned by Estee Lauder Companies
Is MAC sold in China?
Yes MAC sells products in China.
Both MAC’s own products – and the products of most of the companies under the Estee Lauder Companies umbrella – are sold in China. This makes MAC complicit in animal testing, regardless of what it’s policy states.
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.
So what is MAC’s Official Stance on Animal Testing?
MAC’s official stance on animal testing is:
“M·A·C does not test on animals. We do not own any animal testing facilities and we never ask others to test on animals for us.
While some governments conduct animal testing to prove safety before they will allow us to sell our products, M·A·C has never tested on animals and we continue to be a leader in the movement to end animal testing globally.
To this end, we are proud to partner with IIVS (INSTITUTE FOR IN VITRO SCIENCES) to expand the use and acceptance of non-animal testing methods worldwide.”
In attempting to distance itself, claiming it is working towards minimising animal cruelty and searching for alternatives to animal testing, MAC implies it is entirely cruelty-free.
Cruelty-Free Alternatives to MAC
These are companies we love and use almost everyday.
MAC Cruelty-Free FAQs
MAC is owned by Estée Lauder – one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products
No MAC isn’t certified cruelty-free by any organisations because it sells its products in China.
No MAC isn’t Leaping Bunny certified.
No but at least 90% of Estee Lauder’s palm-based ingredients will be certified sustainable from RSPO physical supply chains by 2025.
And suppliers must not partake in deforestation. Although this doesn’t include third party ingredients… So whilst MAC is a member of the RSPO, there’s plenty of work to be done.
Yes MAC is technically vegetarian as the animal products used are carmine and beeswax. Although some veggies don’t like the idea of using products with carmine as it is produced from beetles.
Although as it tests on animals we could never consider it so.
No MAC isn’t organic – and it doesn’t claim to be.
No MAC isn’t paraben-free.
MAC is not a vegan brand as its products contain multiple animal derivatives.
And even though it has recently launched a new vegan line, we would never consider MAC a vegan brand because it sells products in markets where animal testing is required by law.
