Is Biore Cruelty-Free? The Truth Behind Their Animal Testing Policy

Biore is a popular Japanese skincare brand that is known for its pore-cleansing products, such as strips, scrubs, and masks. But is Biore cruelty-free? Do they test on animals or use animal-derived ingredients? And are they vegan-friendly? In this blog post, we will answer these questions and more, based on the information available on their official website, their parent company’s website, and other reliable sources.

What is Biore’s animal testing policy?

According to their website, Biore claims that all their products in the western markets are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. They state that they do not test their products or the materials within them on animals and they do not use any animal-derived ingredients. They also say that they follow the conventions of the EU and other governmental bans on animal testing for cosmetics.

However, this statement is misleading and does not reflect their actual animal testing policy. Here are some reasons why Biore is not cruelty-free:

• Biore clearly states that only their western market products are not tested on animals, which implies that their non-western market products are tested on animals. This is because they sell their products in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law for imported cosmetics.
• Biore does not mention whether or not their suppliers test on animals, which is a red flag. Some ingredients may still be tested on animals by third parties, even if the finished products are not.
• Biore is owned by Kao, a parent company that is not cruelty-free. Kao admits that they conduct or commission animal testing for some of their products or materials, especially outside of the cosmetics category, when required by laws and regulations.

Is Biore sold in China?

Yes, Biore products are sold in mainland China, where animal testing is mandatory for imported cosmetics. This means that Biore has to finance or authorize animal tests on their products or ingredients before they can be sold in Chinese stores. This is a clear violation of the cruelty-free principle, which states that no animal testing should be performed or allowed, anywhere in the world.

Some people may argue that China has recently changed its animal testing regulations, and that some cosmetics can now be sold without animal testing. However, this is not entirely true. The new regulations only apply to ordinary or general cosmetics, such as shampoo, body wash, and makeup. Special cosmetics, such as hair dye, sunscreen, and whitening products, still require animal testing. Moreover, the new regulations have many preconditions and limitations, such as requiring a valid certificate of good manufacturing practice (GMP) and a safety assessment report from a qualified Chinese institution. These are not easy to obtain, and many brands may not meet the criteria. Therefore, it is still unclear whether any brand has successfully bypassed animal testing under the new regulations.

Additionally, the possibility of post-market animal testing is not completely ruled out. This means that the Chinese authorities may still conduct random animal tests on some cosmetics that are already sold in stores, without the brand’s consent or knowledge. This is another risk that cruelty-free brands are not willing to take.

Is Biore vegan?

Biore claims that all their products in the western markets are vegan-friendly, meaning that they do not contain any animal-derived ingredients. However, this claim is not verified by any third-party organization, such as PETA, Leaping Bunny, or Vegan Society. Therefore, it is hard to trust their claim without seeing a full list of ingredients for each product. Furthermore, since Biore is not cruelty-free, they cannot be considered vegan either. Veganism is not only about avoiding animal products, but also about avoiding animal exploitation and suffering.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Biore and their cruelty-free status:

• Q: Does Biore test on animals?
• A: Yes, Biore does test on animals, either themselves, through their suppliers, or through a third party. They also sell their products in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law.
• Q: Is Biore cruelty-free?
• A: No, Biore is not cruelty-free. They may test on animals, either themselves, through their suppliers, or through a third party. They also sell their products in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law.
• Q: Is Biore vegan?
• A: No, Biore is not vegan. They claim that their products in the western markets do not contain any animal-derived ingredients, but this claim is not verified by any third-party organization. Moreover, since they are not cruelty-free, they cannot be vegan either.
• Q: Who owns Biore?
• A: Biore is owned by Kao, a Japanese corporation that is not cruelty-free. Kao conducts or commissions animal testing for some of their products or materials, especially outside of the cosmetics category, when required by laws and regulations.
• Q: What are some cruelty-free alternatives to Biore?
• A: Some cruelty-free alternatives to Biore are Pacifica, Acure, Yes To, Alba Botanica, and Derma E. These brands are certified by Leaping Bunny, PETA, or Vegan Society, and they do not test on animals or sell their products in mainland China.

Conclusion

Biore is not cruelty-free. They may test on animals, either themselves, through their suppliers, or through a third party. They also sell their products in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law. Biore is not vegan either. They claim that their products in the western markets do not contain any animal-derived ingredients, but this claim is not verified by any third-party organization. Moreover, since they are not cruelty-free, they cannot be vegan either. Biore is owned by Kao, a parent company that is not cruelty-free. Kao conducts or commissions animal testing for some of their products or materials, especially outside of the cosmetics category, when required by laws and regulations.

If you are looking for cruelty-free and vegan skincare products, you should avoid Biore and choose from the many alternatives that are available. Some of them are Pacifica, Acure, Yes To, Alba Botanica, and Derma E. These brands are certified by Leaping Bunny, PETA, or Vegan Society, and they do not test on animals or sell their products in mainland China.

We hope this blog post has helped you understand Biore’s cruelty-free status and make an informed decision. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading and supporting cruelty-free beauty!