How to Spot Fake Cruelty-Free Claims

Walk through any beauty aisle and you’ll see brands proudly boasting “Not Tested on Animals” or “Cruelty-Free.” It sounds good — but is it true?

The unfortunate reality: some cruelty-free claims are misleading, vague, or downright deceptive.

So how can you tell the difference between a genuine cruelty-free brand and one that’s just saying what people want to hear?

Let’s break it down.

🚨 Red Flags to Watch For

Some claims sound ethical — but aren’t backed by meaningful action. It’s not to say these phrases are always deceptive, but they should trigger a closer look. When you see statements like these on packaging, take a moment to read the label, check for certifications, and verify the brand’s claims:

Some companies use soft language that sounds ethical — but doesn’t guarantee anything. Look out for these phrases:

• “We do not test on animals.”
  → This might only refer to the final product. Ingredients may still be tested, or testing may be outsourced.
• “Against animal testing.”
  → Sounds compassionate, but doesn’t actually mean the brand avoids it.
• “Finished product not tested on animals.”
  → A classic loophole. Testing may have occurred earlier in the process.
• “Cruelty-free” without a verified logo.
  → If there’s no third-party certification, the claim may be unverified.

🔍 What Fake Claims Might Hide

Brands that use deceptive cruelty-free language may still:

• Test on animals in overseas markets (like mainland China)
• Work with suppliers that test on animals
• Use ingredients that were previously tested on animals
• Outsource animal testing to third parties

They can still say “not tested on animals” — and technically be telling the truth, from a limited point of view.

✅ What to Look For Instead

To verify that a product is truly cruelty-free, look for:

• Trusted Certifications
  • 🐰 Leaping Bunny (gold standard)
  • 🐇 PETA’s “Beauty Without Bunnies”
  • 🌱 Cruelty-Free International
• Clear, verifiable statements like:
  • “We do not test on animals at any stage, and we do not work with suppliers who do.”
  • “We are certified cruelty-free by [organization].”
• No sales in countries with mandatory animal testing laws (or proof of exemption)

🛑 Spot the “Bunny Washing”

Some brands design their own bunny logos to look legitimate — but they’re not connected to any certification body. This is called “bunny washing.”

If you see a bunny graphic that isn’t:

• The official Leaping Bunny logo
• The PETA cruelty-free logo
• Or from Cruelty-Free International

…then it may just be a branding tool, not a verified claim.

✍️ Where to Report False Cruelty-Free Claims

If you spot a product making misleading claims — like using a fake bunny logo or implying cruelty-free status without certification — you can take action:

🐇 Certification Bodies

If a brand is falsely using a trusted cruelty-free logo or implying certification, report them here:

• Leaping Bunny
• PETA Beauty Without Bunnies
• Cruelty-Free International

🛍️ Government Oversight

In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) handles false advertising claims:

• Report to the FTC

📱 Raise Awareness

Call out misleading claims in product reviews or social posts to educate others.

💌 Tell Us at UberArtisan

Found a product pretending to be cruelty-free? Send us what you found — we investigate and share findings with our readers:

• 📩 Contact Us – Subject: “Cruelty-free claim”

Final Thought

Being cruelty-free isn’t just about the words on the label — it’s about what happens behind the scenes.

By learning how to spot fake claims, you can avoid being misled and choose brands that actually walk the talk.

🐰 Stay tuned for the next post in the series: How Cruelty-Free Certification Works