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Is This COVERGIRL Product Cruelty-Free?
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COVERGIRL has been a staple in drugstore makeup for decades. You’ve seen the ads, the bold colors, the tagline ‘Easy. Effortless. Beautiful.’ But if you’re looking for cruelty-free makeup, you might be asking: is all COVERGIRL really cruelty-free? The answer isn’t as simple as a yes or no - and it matters more than you think.
COVERGIRL’s Official Stance on Animal Testing
COVERGIRL says it’s cruelty-free. They’ve had the Leaping Bunny seal since 2018, which means they don’t test finished products on animals anywhere in the world. That’s a big deal. The Leaping Bunny program is one of the strictest certifications out there. It doesn’t just check the brand - it checks every supplier, every factory, every ingredient source. If even one vendor tests on animals, the brand loses the certification.
But here’s the catch: COVERGIRL is owned by Procter & Gamble (P&G). P&G is not cruelty-free. They still test on animals when required by law - mostly in countries like China, where imported cosmetics must be tested on animals by government labs. That’s why some people won’t buy COVERGIRL, even if the brand itself doesn’t test.
It’s a gray area. COVERGIRL doesn’t test. But their parent company does. And that’s where the confusion starts.
What Does ‘Cruelty-Free’ Really Mean?
Not all cruelty-free labels are created equal. Some brands say they don’t test on animals - but they sell where testing is mandatory. Others refuse to sell in those markets entirely. That’s the difference between a brand that’s cruelty-free and one that’s truly committed to the cause.
COVERGIRL sells in China. That means their products can be pulled from shelves and sent to government labs for animal testing. Even if COVERGIRL didn’t pay for it, the fact that they allow their products to be tested by the state means they’re complicit in the system. Animal rights groups like PETA and Humane Society International don’t list COVERGIRL as cruelty-free anymore because of this.
Compare that to brands like Fenty Beauty or Pacifica. They refuse to sell in China. No exceptions. That’s why they’re trusted by the cruelty-free community.
Is COVERGIRL Vegan?
Cruelty-free doesn’t mean vegan. And COVERGIRL isn’t fully vegan. Some of their products contain beeswax, carmine (made from crushed beetles), and lanolin (from sheep’s wool). You’ll find these in lipsticks, mascaras, and blushes.
But they do have a line called COVERGIRL Clean Fresh that’s labeled vegan. That means no animal ingredients - and no animal testing. If you’re looking for vegan makeup, stick to that line. Check the packaging. It’ll say ‘Vegan’ right on it.
Still, even the vegan line isn’t perfect. Some of the pigments or preservatives could be tested on animals by suppliers. Without full transparency, you can’t be 100% sure.
How to Spot Cruelty-Free COVERGIRL Products
If you still want to buy COVERGIRL, here’s how to do it responsibly:
- Look for the Leaping Bunny logo on the box. That’s their official cruelty-free certification.
- Check for the word ‘Vegan’ on the label - only then are you sure there are no animal ingredients.
- Avoid products sold in China. If you’re buying online, check if the seller ships to China. If they do, the product might be subject to testing.
- Use apps like Think Dirty or HappyCow to scan barcodes and verify ingredients.
- Don’t trust marketing claims alone. Always cross-check with cruelty-free databases like Cruelty-Free Kitty or Logical Harmony.
One real example: COVERGIRL’s Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation is labeled vegan and cruelty-free. But their TruBlend Matte Made Foundation is cruelty-free but not vegan - it contains beeswax. Same brand. Same shelf. Two different rules.
Why This Matters Beyond the Label
Buying from brands that sell in China sends a message. It says: ‘I’m okay with animal testing as long as it’s not done by the brand itself.’ That keeps the system alive. Millions of rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice are still used in cosmetic tests every year - mostly in China, where laws are changing slowly.
When you choose a brand that refuses to sell in China, you’re voting with your wallet. You’re saying: ‘No animal should suffer for my lipstick.’
COVERGIRL made a step forward by getting certified. But they stopped short of the full commitment. That’s not hypocrisy - it’s compromise. And for many, compromise isn’t enough.
Alternatives to COVERGIRL That Are Truly Cruelty-Free
If you’re ready to move on, here are some drugstore-friendly brands that don’t compromise:
- Pacifica - 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and sold in the U.S., Canada, and Europe - but never in China.
- Fenty Beauty - Rihanna’s brand. No animal testing. No China sales. Wide shade range.
- Real Techniques - makeup brushes and tools. Certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny.
- NYX Professional Makeup - owned by L’Oréal, but they don’t test on animals and don’t sell in China. Leaping Bunny certified.
- E.l.f. Cosmetics - vegan, cruelty-free, under $10. No animal testing anywhere, ever.
These brands are just as accessible as COVERGIRL. You’ll find them at Target, Ulta, or Amazon. And they’re transparent about their policies.
What’s Changing in 2025?
China just passed new rules in early 2025 that allow some imported cosmetics to skip animal testing - if they’re made with ingredients already proven safe. That’s a big win. But it’s not universal. Only ‘ordinary’ cosmetics (like lipstick, foundation, shampoo) qualify. ‘Special-use’ products (like sunscreen or whitening creams) still require testing.
COVERGIRL hasn’t changed its stance. They still sell in China. And until they pull out completely, they won’t be trusted by the cruelty-free community.
Meanwhile, brands like e.l.f. and Pacifica are growing fast. They’re proving you don’t need to test on animals to make great makeup.
Final Verdict: Is COVERGIRL Cruelty-Free?
Technically? Yes - their own products aren’t tested on animals. They’re certified.
Ethically? That’s up to you. If you believe a brand should refuse to sell in markets that force animal testing, then COVERGIRL isn’t cruelty-free. If you’re okay with corporate compromises as long as the brand itself doesn’t pull the trigger, then they’re fine.
But here’s the truth: the most reliable cruelty-free brands don’t have to justify their choices. They just don’t test. Period.
So ask yourself: are you buying makeup for the price, the color, or the conscience?
