Is Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Cruelty-Free?

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is known for their quality products that enhance natural beauty rather than covering it. It’s more of a mature brand but they create some amazing complexion products. A majority of their products are phthalate and paraben-free which is fantastic. So, if a brand like Bobbi Brown takes the initiative to make their products skin friendly, are they also cruelty-free?

You would expect a brand like Bobbi Brown to be cruelty-free but unfortunately they’re not. Bobbi Brown sells in Mainland China which means they are not cruelty-free because you are required to test on animals in order to sell there. Bobbi Brown Cosmetics does have a great selection of paraben and phthalate-free products. So..depending on what you look for in your makeup products, they could be a good option.

Is Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Cruelty-Free?

No, Bobbi Brown is not cruelty-free. They sell in Mainland China where animal testing is required by law. Their website is misleading because they claim to not test on animals except where it is required by law. Emphasis on ‘where it is required by law.’ Which means they test on animals in China.

Here’s is the official statement from their website:

“At Bobbi Brown, the safety of our consumers is our highest priority. We utilize the latest advances in non-animal safety testing and human volunteer testing to deliver products of the highest safety and quality to our consumers. We do not test our products or ingredients on animals, or ask others to test on our behalf, except where required by law.”

If you are cruelty-free with your makeup and skincare then Bobbi Brown is not a brand you should go for.

Is Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Vegan?

Not all of Bobbi Brown’s products are vegan but they do have some.

Here’s a list:

  • Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturizer
  • Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15

Their long-wear cream eyeshadow sticks claim to be vegan per the Sephora website but contain carmine. Carmine is a red pigment that’s made from crushed up bugs. It’s commonly found in lipsticks, blush and eyeshadow. As for Bobbi Brown’s cream eyeshadows, it may depend on the shade but you’ll want to avoid those if you’re strictly vegan with your makeup routine.

Is Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Organic?

No, Bobbi Brown is not organic or natural and they do not claim to be. If organic makeup is important to you, try Ilia Beauty, Bite Beauty, Kosas or Lawless. You can create a full face with organic products from these brands.

Where is Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Made?

All of Bobbi Brown’s products are made in the US. They are owned by Estee Lauder which is a US brand and holding.

Is Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Sold in China?

Yes, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is sold in China. They’re available on Sephora China. If you’re cruelty-free with your beauty routine then you know that selling in China means you test on animals. Animal testing is required there and it’t why many brands aren’t cruelty-free.

Is Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Paraben-Free?

Yes most of Bobbi Brown’s products are paraben-free! Parabens are a form of preservative found in beauty products to help extend the shelf life. They’re frowned upon for many reasons so it’s nice that most of Bobbi Brown’s products are without!

Here’s a list of their paraben-free products:

  • Shimmering Highlighting Powder
  • Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturizer
  • Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15
  • Creamy Concealer
  • Stick Foundation
  • Illuminating Bronzing Powder
  • Crushed Lip Color
  • Instant Full Cover Concealer
  • Crushed Lip Colors
  • Shimmer Brick
  • Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow
  • Crushed Liquid Lipstick
  • Primer Plus Mattifier
  • Soothing Cleansing Oil
  • Prime Plus 3-in-1 Hydrating Setting Spray
  • Hydrating Gel Cream
  • Blush
  • Bronzer
  • Longwear Gel Liner
  • Luxe Lip Color
  • Natural Brow Shaper
  • Lip Gloss
  • Makeup Melter and Cleanser
  • Skin Long-Wear Fluid Powder Foundation SPF 20
  • Luxe Liquid Lip High Shine

Is Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Gluten-Free?

Bobbi Brown is not 100% gluten-free but they do have a big selection of gluten-free products!

Those products include:

  • Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturizer
  • Creamy Concealer
  • Blush
  • Shimmering Highlighting Powder
  • Stick Foundation
  • Crushed Lip Color
  • Longwear Weightless Foundation
  • Bronzer
  • Instant Full Coverage Concealer
  • Longwear Cream Shadow Stick
  • Luxe Lip Color
  • Lip Gloss
  • Smokey Eye Mascara
  • Makeup Melter and Cleanser
  • Skin Long-Wear Fluid Powder Foundation SPF 20

Is Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Phthalates-free?

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics has some phthalate-free products. But, they are not very forthcoming and their customer service will only email you back an ingredients list. To avoid phthalates, avoid these ingredients:

  • BBP: butyl benzyl phthalate
  • DBP: di-n-butyl phthalate
  • DEHP: di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
  • DEP: diethyl phthalate
  • DiDP: di-isodecyl phthalate
  • DiNP: di-isononyll phthalate
  • DnHP: di-n-hexyl phthalate
  • DnOP: di-n-octyl phthalate

It’s tough to determine if a product has phthalates by looking at the ingredients because you really have to know what exactly you’re looking for. Sephora lists some of their products as phthalate-free but doesn’t have labeling on everything.

Their phthalate-free Bobbi Brown products include:

  • Highlighting Powder
  • Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturizer
  • Longwear Cream Eyeshadow sticks
  • Skin Longwear Weightless Foundation
  • Crushed Lip Colors
  • Makeup Melter and Cleanser
  • Skin Long-Wear Fluid Powder Foundation SPF 20
  • Crushed Liquid Lip
  • Luxe Liquid Lip High Shine

Is Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Non-Comedogenic?

Non-comedogenic means a product is formulated to not clog pores. Bobbi Brown’s foundations are skin friendly but not necessarily non-comedogenic. It’s sort of a grey area for them. If you’re looking for a clear, non-comedogenic foundation, then try Estee Lauder, ilia, Dermablend or Jane Iredale.

Is Bobbi Brown Cosmetics PETA Cruelty-Free Approved?

No, Bobbi Brown is not PETA approved because they aren’t cruelty- free. To have a PETA approval you can’t sell in Mainland China and Bobbi Brown does. Claiming you’re cruelty-free and don’t test on animals but sell in China basically undos all of that.

Where to Buy Bobbi Brown Cosmetics?

Bobbi Brown is available at department stores like Nordstrom and Macys as well as Sephora.

Final Thoughts

So, Bobbi Brown is not cruelty-free and they don’t have too many vegan products. Estee Lauder Companies owns many brands and some are cruelty-free and some aren’t. For instance, Becca Cosmetics and Too Faced, both owned by EL are cruelty free but MAC and Bobbi Brown and GlamGlow aren’t. So, I would say we shouldn’t expect Bobbi Brown to go cruelty-free anytime soon.

Bobbi Brown may not be cruelty-free or the trendiest makeup brand, but, their value is in their paraben and phthalate-free formulas. They’re lipsticks and complexion products are high quality and perform extremely well. If you’re not picky about a brand’s cruelty-free status but want quality ingredients, Bobbi Brown is the perfect brand to try!