Biore is a well-known skincare brand that offers a range of products for different skin types and concerns. You may have seen their pore strips, cleansers, scrubs, and masks on the shelves of your local drugstore or online. But if you are a vegan or care about animal rights, you may be wondering: is Biore vegan?
In this blog post, I will answer this question and provide you with some facts and information about Biore’s animal testing policy, ingredients, and alternatives. I will also include some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and clear headings to help you navigate this topic.
What Does It Mean to Be Vegan?
Before we dive into Biore’s vegan status, let’s first clarify what it means to be vegan. According to The Vegan Society, veganism is “a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment.”
In terms of cosmetics and skincare, this means that vegan products do not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products, such as honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, gelatin, carmine, etc. It also means that vegan products are not tested on animals, either by the company itself, its suppliers, or any third parties.
Is Biore Vegan?
The short answer is: no, Biore is not vegan. Biore claims on its website that its products in the western market are “cruelty-free and vegan friendly”. However, this is a misleading statement because some of Biore’s products that are sold outside of the western market or USA are tested on animals, namely in mainland China where animal testing is required by law. Biore also does not disclose whether its ingredients are sourced from animals or not, which makes it impossible to verify its vegan claims.
Why Is Biore Not Vegan?
There are two main reasons why Biore is not vegan: animal testing and animal ingredients.
Animal Testing
Biore is not a cruelty-free brand, which means that it allows its products or ingredients to be tested on animals when required by law. Biore is owned by Kao, a Japanese corporation that also owns other non-vegan brands such as Jergens, John Frieda, and Molton Brown.
Biore sells its products in mainland China, where imported cosmetics are legally required to undergo animal testing before they can be sold in physical stores. This means that Biore pays for or authorizes animal tests to be conducted on its behalf by Chinese authorities or laboratories. These tests can involve rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, and other animals who are subjected to painful and invasive procedures, such as skin and eye irritation, oral toxicity, and lethal dose.
Biore tries to justify its animal testing policy by stating that it follows the conventions of the EU and other governmental bans on animal testing for cosmetics. However, this is not a valid excuse because truly cruelty-free brands choose not to sell in China or any other country that requires animal testing, in order to remain committed to their ethical principles. Biore also states that it is working with industry associations and third parties to find alternatives to animal testing, but this does not change the fact that it is currently allowing animals to suffer and die for its products.
Animal Ingredients
Biore is not transparent about its ingredients and does not provide a list of vegan or non-vegan products on its website. Biore states that it does not use any animal-derived ingredients in its western market products, but it does not specify what ingredients it uses instead. Biore also does not have any vegan certification or logo on its packaging or website, which makes it difficult for consumers to trust its claims.
Some of Biore’s products may contain animal-derived ingredients or by-products, such as lanolin, beeswax, honey, collagen, keratin, etc. For example, Biore’s Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser contains hydrolyzed collagen, which is derived from animal skin, bones, or connective tissue. Biore’s Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips contain lanolin, which is a wax secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep. Biore’s Baking Soda Acne Scrub contains honey extract, which is obtained from honeycombs or bee saliva.
Even if some of Biore’s products do not contain any animal ingredients, they are still not vegan because they are tested on animals, as explained above. Therefore, Biore is not a vegan-friendly brand and should be avoided by vegans and animal lovers.
What Are Some Vegan Alternatives to Biore?
If you are looking for vegan alternatives to Biore, you will be happy to know that there are many cruelty-free and vegan brands that offer similar or better products for your skin. Here are some examples of vegan brands that you can try instead of Biore:
- Acure – Acure is a 100% vegan and cruelty-free brand that offers a range of skincare products for different skin types and concerns. Acure’s products are made with natural and organic ingredients, such as plant extracts, oils, and antioxidants. Some of Acure’s products that are similar to Biore’s are the Incredibly Clear Charcoal Lemonade Cleansing Clay, the Brightening Facial Scrub, and the Radically Rejuvenating Peel Pads.
- Pacifica – Pacifica is another 100% vegan and cruelty-free brand that offers a variety of skincare products that are affordable and effective. Pacifica’s products are formulated with natural and vegan ingredients, such as coconut, pineapple, kale, and hemp. Some of Pacifica’s products that are comparable to Biore’s are the Sea Foam Complete Face Wash, the Cosmic Clay Face Mask, and the Pore Warrior Oil Fighter Booster Serum.
- The Body Shop – The Body Shop is a well-known cruelty-free brand that has many vegan products in its skincare line. The Body Shop’s products are made with ethically sourced and natural ingredients, such as tea tree, aloe vera, and seaweed. Some of The Body Shop’s products that are similar to Biore’s are the Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash, the Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask, and the Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Exfoliator.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Biore’s vegan status:
- Q: Is Biore cruelty-free?
- A: No, Biore is not cruelty-free. Biore allows its products or ingredients to be tested on animals when required by law, such as in mainland China.
- Q: Is Biore vegan?
- A: No, Biore is not vegan. Biore does not disclose whether its products contain animal-derived ingredients or by-products, and some of its products are tested on animals.
- Q: Does Biore use animal ingredients?
- A: Biore does not provide a list of vegan or non-vegan products on its website, so it is not clear whether Biore uses animal ingredients or not. However, some of Biore’s products may contain animal-derived ingredients or by-products, such as lanolin, beeswax, honey, collagen, etc.
- Q: Does Biore test on animals?
- A: Yes, Biore tests on animals. Biore sells its products in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law for imported cosmetics. Biore pays for or authorizes animal tests to be conducted on its behalf by Chinese authorities or laboratories.
- Q: What are some vegan alternatives to Biore?
- A: Some vegan alternatives to Biore are Acure, Pacifica, and The Body Shop. These brands are cruelty-free and vegan, and offer similar or better products for your skin.
Conclusion
Biore is not a vegan brand and should be avoided by vegans and animal lovers. Biore allows its products or ingredients to be tested on animals when required by law, and does not disclose whether its products contain animal-derived ingredients or by-products. Biore is also owned by Kao, a non-vegan corporation that tests on animals.
There are many vegan alternatives to Biore that you can choose from, such as Acure, Pacifica, and The Body Shop. These brands are cruelty-free and vegan, and offer a range of skincare products that are made with natural and vegan ingredients.
I hope this blog post has helped you to understand Biore’s vegan status and to find some vegan alternatives to Biore. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading and have a great day!