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Yes, The Body Shop is cruelty-free – it has actually always been very active in this space and is one of the best cruelty-free makeup brands.
From its very own cruelty-free activism page – “On October 4th 2018, World Animal Day, The Body Shop and Cruelty Free International took 8.3 million signatures against cosmetic animal testing to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
This was designed to create a global framework to end animal testing while advancing the United Nations’ sustainable development agenda.”
What is The Body Shop’s Testing Process?
As a brand it has a 4 stage testing process:
- In silico computer-based analysis – you can read more about this on our alternatives to animal testing page
- Laboratory-grown skin is grown from human skin cells for animal-free testing
- Patch testing is performed on humans
- Controlled user trials
There was controversy when L’Oreal bought The Body Shop, as L’Oreal has never been cruelty free. However, The Body Shop is now owned by Natura & Co, which is cruelty free (endorsed by the Leaping Bunny scheme).
Is The Body Shop vegan?
No, The Body Shop is not entirely vegan.
It does have a clearly labelled vegan range on the website though.
Product range
- Moisturiser, cleanser and toner
- Facial serum, face and eye masks, exfoliators and peels
- Bath & shower products: shampoo, conditioner, soap…
- Makeup: lipstick, primer, mascara, foundation, concealer, eyeliner…
- Perfume and aftershave
- Body butter and scrub
- Hand wash and moisturiser
The Body Shop’s Hero Product
Anything from the new refill range (visit your local shop to see this in action).
My teenage self, and now my adult self would recommend the white musk perfume, which is vegan.
The Body Shop features in our following listicles:
- The 11 Best Cruelty-Free and Vegan Lipsticks
- The 7 Best Cruelty-Free and Vegan Aftershave
- The Best Cruelty-Free and Vegan Fake Tan
- The Best Cruelty-Free and Vegan Toners
- The Best Cruelty-Free & Vegan Bath Products
The Body Shop Ethical FAQs
Around 50% of The Body Shop’s products are vegan. The rest primarily contain honey and beeswax.
Yes, The Body Shop is 100% vegetarian.
If we define all-natural as totally plant-based and chemical-free, then no it is not an entirely natural brand.
When it was conceived as a brand, it was entirely natural and chemical-free. Now it focuses more on animal-welfare, fair trade products and parity for growers.
Which in our eyes is a much improved focus.
Yes The Body Shop does use palm oil, but 100% of the palm oil used is RSPO certified.
No, The Body Shop doesn’t sell any products in mainland China, in duty-free stores, or in other locations where cosmetic animal testing is required.
Since 2017 The Body Shop has been owned by Natura &Co. Previously it was owned by L’Oreal.
Natura &Co is a Brazilian personal care cosmetics group that also own Aesop and Avon.
Its products are not entirely paraben-free. It estimates around 80% are both paraben and sulfate-free. But please check the label carefully
Yes The Body Shop is certified cruelty-free by PETA.
As of August 2021 The Body Shop does not trade any goods in mainland China.
As China’s animal testing laws have changed in recent times, the brand may be able to do so without contravening its animal testing policies.
