Is CeraVe Cruelty-Free? What to Know
Dermatologists really seem to love CeraVe, don’t they? It seems like you can’t escape the ads and TikToks singing the brand’s praises. While it’s good to take care of your skin, we know that taking care of the planet and all its creatures matters to many consumers, too.
If you’re reading this, you might also want to know whether CeraVe tests its products on animals. In other words, is CeraVe cruelty-free? We’ll answer that question below and provide other context so you can be an informed shopper.
Is CeraVe Cruelty-Free?
CeraVe products have been on the market since 2005 and are known for their unique ability to preserve the skin’s “natural barrier.” The company claims that its products, which include facial cleansers, moisturizing creams, and others, were developed alongside dermatologists. CeraVe was bought by L’Oréal in 2017 for $1.3 billion.
There’s no doubt that CeraVe is one of the most popular (and affordable) skincare brands on the market. Furthermore, its website states that it does not test its products on animals. So, it’s cruelty-free, right? Well, not exactly.
Upon further questioning, CeraVe admits that some of its products may be tested on animals when it’s required by law. Many cosmetic products sold in Mainland China are required to be tested on animals before they are sold to humans.
However, that’s a recent departure from pre-existing law. Before 2014, even general cosmetic products like shampoos and body washes had to be tested on animals. That’s no longer the case, although there are some exceptions.
Is CeraVe vegan?
CeraVe cannot be considered vegan, either. Besides the company’s tacit admission that some of its finished products may be tested on animals, many CeraVe wares contain animal-derived ingredients such as beeswax. We have not seen CeraVe claim to be a vegan company.
What Cruelty-Free Means in the Beauty Industry
Being cruelty-free as a brand means the company does not test its products or ingredients on animals. Testing cosmetic products on animals used to be a fairly common practice, but advocates have pushed many companies to abandon the practice. Today, 42 countries have laws in place prohibiting cosmetics companies from testing on animals.
Because these laws vary slightly by country, though, there exist no internationally recognized regulations on the subject. Prominent animal rights group PETA issues cruelty-free certifications to companies that satisfy the organization’s criteria. Leaping Bunny certification, issued by an international collection of animal rights groups, is the other primary marker of cruelty-free products.
What Does CeraVe Say About Animal Testing?
On the FAQs page on the company’s website, CeraVe simply states that it does not test its products on animals. CeraVe animal testing may occur, however, where doing so is required by law. The brand itself and its parent company, L’Oréal, do not commission or sanction animal testing. The bottom line, however, is that CeraVe cannot accurately claim to be cruelty-free.
Are There Cruelty-Free Alternatives to CeraVe?
Yes, there are cruelty-free alternatives to CeraVe if you wish to make a complete break with the brand. We’ve chosen and reviewed four of those alternatives below.
Our Picks
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author and DGHQ editors. However, Do Good HQ may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
1. Face Wash: Paula’s Choice CALM Ultra-Gentle Cleanser
| Use it Instead of | CeraVe Hydrating or Foaming Facial Cleanser |
| Key Ingredients | Inulin, glucose, fructose, capric triglyceride |
| Price | $22.00 |
We like this gentle facial cleanser from Paula’s Choice because the company is certified by both PETA and Leaping Bunny. Unlike CeraVe’s Foaming Facial Cleanser, it doesn’t contain niacinamide, a substance derived from animals.
2. Facial Moisturizer: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
| Use it Instead of | CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion |
| Key Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, triglycerides, ceramides |
| Price | $14.00 |
The ingredients of this cruelty-free lightweight moisturizer by The Ordinary line up almost symmetrically with CeraVe’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion. CeraVe’s lotion has The Ordinary’s beat in price, but you can’t beat being Leaping Bunny- and PETA-certified, which CeraVe is not.
3. Body Moisturizer: Ceramedx Ultra Moisturizing Cream
| Use it Instead of | CeraVe Moisturizing Cream |
| Key Ingredients | Riceramide-3 complex, hyaluronic acid, cholesterol |
| Price | $15.95 |
Ceramedx’s ceramide body lotion consists of plant-derived substances and contains no fragrances (including masking fragrances). Not only is it cruelty-free, but it’s also vegan. The product is made under the Earth Science brand.
4. SPF: Paula’s Choice Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
| Use it Instead of | CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 |
| Key Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, apricot oil, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide |
| Price | $35.00 |
Our second product from Paula’s Choice is this daily moisturizing SPF 30 sunscreen. You get the benefits of using a cruelty-free brand with a gentle zinc oxide product that protects sensitive skin. CeraVe’s AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion does not claim to work on sensitive skin.
Final Words on CeraVe
While CeraVe claims it does not test its products or ingredients on animals, it cannot claim to be completely cruelty-free. It is encouraging, however, that the company seems to be doing what it can to reduce the instances of animal testing in Mainland China.
Featured image via Canva
