Animal Testing *** REPOST

Animal testing. We have all seen the traumatic pictures of bunnies, mice and rats being used for cosmetic companies to test their products for human use. As consumers of thing like cosmetics, soap, shampoo and lotion it is only right for you to know how your products get from a lab to your bathroom vanity. 

• Over 1 million animals are used as test subjects annually. Typically r-strategist species, meaning that they reproduce at rapid rates and have high growth rates, with low life expectancy to reach adulthood.
• Some tests include: skin and eye irritation tests where chemicals are rubbed on shaved skin or dripped into the eyes without any pain alleviation.
• The American FDA does not  require animal testing. When companies use new chemicals to better their product they have to ensure that it is safe for human use. Human subjects could potentially lead to lawsuits and loss income.  
•  92% of experimental drugs that are safe and effective in animals fail in human clinical trials.

The problem is the triviality of animal testing use in the cosmetic industry. They test new formulas that have high risk chemicals just to make the mascara smudge proof, or the shampoo more hydrating. My question is when there is a long list of chemicals that are historically proven to be safe for human use, why are we choosing new and potentially harmful chemicals? Why are we using chemicals with such potential risk that we have to test it in the first place? 

If you buy something titled "Argan Oil" shouldn't the only ingredient be Argan oil? Not Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclomethicone ( volatile silicone solvents), Dimethiconece and butylphenyl methylpropional. See this article to learn more about these chemicals.

Luckily, if you are against animal testing there are many drugstore and high end companies that are cruelty free!

Choose with your conscience. If you believe that animals deserve the same respect as humans, choose to go cruelty free! Take the pledge here: Cruelty Free Pledge- Global.

See if the brands you choose are cruelty free here. This is a great resource to stay informed!

Resources to help you make your decision:
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-Jillian

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