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Is Weleda Cruelty-Free?
Yes Weleda is cruelty-free.
It does not test any products or ingredients on animals, work with suppliers who may do or sell products in countries that require animal testing by law.
Whilst certain products – like the toothpastes and soaps – may actually be found in China, this is not an issue. The recent changes in China’s animal testing laws dictate that general-use cosmetics are exempt from animal testing providing guidelines are followed.
Is Weleda Vegan?
Weleda is not a strictly vegan brand. Whilst it does have a vegan range and is a vegetarian company, multiple animal products are present.
Some products do contain animal product derivates like beeswax, lanolin, goat’s milk, and lactose as well as honey in the elixirs.
Is Weleda Ethical?
Yes Weleda is an ethical brand. It’s B-Corp certification is an excellent reference point.
Let’s discuss animal testing to start. As there is none that’s a tick in the box. People will always have question marks around brands selling anything in China.
But the fact is that you can sell certain general use cosmetics in China without them being at risk of animal testing. And whilst the brand isn’t entirely vegan, the animal products used are minimal.
Packaging-wise over 40% of the packaging is made-from recycled materials. By 2022 the goal is for this to reach 65%.
And the detail around why the brand uses coloured glass over clear – it’s easier and more energy efficient to recycle – is a nice touch.
Now let’s talk plastics. Whilst Weleda isn’t entirely plastic-free, the products are entirely without micro and liquid plastics.
And chemicals? What about chemicals? Well it’s all preservative, artificial colour and flavour-free. And you won’t find any parabens or other ‘nasties‘ present.
Emissions-wise, the manufacturing and packaging locations are close by. Which is always a good start. But as Weleda aims to plant 1 million trees in 2021, a huge amount has been offset.
What is Weleda’s Hero Product?
If you suffer from not being able to get to bloody sleep syndrome, the Lavender Relaxing Body Oil is a gentle, vegan body oil that is amazing at helping you get relax.
If you’re looking for an exceptional cruelty-free deodorant, then the Wild Rose Deodorant is sublime. The most floral, quality smelling deodorant available.
As Featured in…
Weleda’s Product Range
- Face care – moisturisers, toners and serums
- Body care – scrubs, lotions and oils
- Skincare
- Toiletries – deodorants, dental care
- Homeopathy and immunity care
- Mother and baby care
What Else do we Love about Weleda?
Being certified by the NATRUE label means you know Weleda products are of a certain natural standard.
This certification also means that Weleda are free-from preservatives and degreasing agents like parabens and SLS. Even synthetic preservative, fragrance and colourant free.
And just the transparency of the brand. The FAQ section doesn’t sugar-coat it. Weleda isn’t perfect, but it’s making an effort.
Oh and in 2021 Weleda pledged to plant 1 million trees in tandem with Tree Sisters.
Weleda Ethical FAQs
No Weleda does not perform any kind of animal testing on its products or ingredients. Neither does it work with suppliers who may test on animals. This is what makes the brand cruelty-free.
Whilst some products are sold in China – toothpastes and soaps – these products aren’t required to be tested on animals by law.
This is because China’s laws on animal testing have changed in recent years.
Yes – Weleda products are almost all certified through the NATRUE label. This means the brand can be classified as non-toxic.
NATRUE – a certification scheme created by the International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association – regulates and ensures the efficacy and quality of natural skin care products.
This certification guarantees the products only contain natural, derived natural or nature identical products. No artificial ingredients either.
The original version of the Calendula Cream is part of the Skin Food range.
Weleda uses beeswax and lanolin in Skin Food Original, Skin Food Light and Skin Food Lip Butter. Which means they are not vegan.
Only the Skin Food Body Butter is made without raw materials of animal origin.
Other products in the range contain lanolin and beeswax, which means they aren’t vegan. But check each label carefully.
Weleda’s three primary locations are situated in Switzerland.
The production facility is located a mere 250km away in Stuttgart, Germany.
Weleda consists of 19 majority shareholders, so it’s ownership is relatively spread.
But about 80% of the voting rights of Weleda are owned by two major shareholders – General Anthroposophical Society and The Arlesheim Clinic. So it is not owned
Yes – Weleda products are certified natural by NATRUE. The only certification that guarantees products are
free-from synthetic preservatives, fragrances and colourants.
Yes Weleda is a natural brand. Any brand certified by NATRUE can only be considered natural.
Whilst the majority of the range is not sold in China, certain products like toothpaste and soap may be found there.
As general-use cosmetics are no longer required to be tested on animals, selling certain products from ecommerce stores in China can still be defined as cruelty-free.
Yes, all Weleda products are paraben, phthalate and sulfate-free. Brands with all-natural status can’t utilise preservatives like parabens.
And sulfates (and SLS) – the foaming and degreasing agents that imbalance and dissolve skin oils – equally cannot be present in natural brands.
Phthalates make plastic more flexible and are commonly used as a stabiliser for synthetic perfumes (and in packaging). Fortunately Weleda is also phthalate-free.
Over 40% of Weleda packaging is currently made from recycled materials. And – pending local recycling capability – are completely recyclable.
The 2022 target is for all packaging to be made from 65% recycled matter. Even the recyclable glass bottles are made from 85% recycled glass – apparently the highest % possible!
And all Weleda’s transport packaging and sturdy brown boxes are made from 100% recycled board. Even the ink used is mineral-oil-free and printed on 100% recycled card.
Weleda’s products are 100% microplastic-free, and they are 100% liquid plastic free.
However the brand is not completely plastic-free. The packaging is made from a mixture of aluminium, glass and plastic.
