Is CeraVe Cruelty Free?

This is our attempt to answer the important question: Is CeraVe Cruelty Free?

It’s no surprise that shoppers are more likely to buy from brands that are ethical and sustainable. By doing so, they feel that their dollar is going to something positive in the world and to something they can support morally. This is especially true for beauty and skincare brands.

CeraVe is a skincare brand made popular by skincare gurus such as Hyram on social media. Their products have simple ingredients that have great results for many users.

But Is CeraVe Cruelty Free?

No, CeraVe is not cruelty free. Here is the statement CeraVe makes on the FAQ section of their website:

“No, CeraVe products are not tested on animals.”

However, CeraVe is not actually considered to be 100% cruelty free. This is because CeraVe sells their products in countries where animal testing is required by law. Therefore, they are allowing their products to be tested on animals even though they are not doing it themselves.

This stems largely from the fact that CeraVe products are available in China. In the past, China has required brands to engage in post-market animal testing. However, this may change as China relaxed its requirements in January of 2023.

Is CeraVe Vegan?

CeraVe is not 100% vegan. Some of their products do contain ingredients derived from animals. Some of these ingredients include sheep’s wool, lanolin, and honey. But, they do have some lines that don’t use any ingredients derived from animals.

Is CeraVe Organic?

It is unclear if CeraVe is considered to be organic or not. However, they do formulate their products without most harmful ingredients. Also, they try to keep their ingredient lists simple and effective.

Here is one of the statements they make on their website:

“CeraVe products are non-irritating and fragrance-free. Most are also non-comedogenic. If you are sensitive to a particular ingredient, or have any other concern, we suggest that you consult your dermatologist.”

Is CeraVe Owned By A Parent Company?

Yes, CeraVe is owned by L’Oreal. L’Oreal also is not a cruelty free brand.

Where is CeraVe Made?

CeraVe manufactures all of their products within the United States. From there, they distribute their products to all other parts of the world for sale.

Is CeraVe Sold in China?

Yes, CeraVe sells their products in China.

This is a problem because, in mainland China, it has been required by law in the past to test all imported cosmetics products on animals. Since CeraVe does this, they allow their products to be knowingly tested on animals, thus making them not cruelty-free. However, early in 2023 China announced that it has relaxed these rules, so some brands may be able to attain a true “cruelty free” status.

Is CeraVe Paraben-Free?

Some of CeraVe’s products are paraben-free, but most of them do have parabens in them. Although many other skincare brands have changed their formulas to no longer include parabens, CeraVe hasn’t done so yet. This is because parabens can increase the shelf-life of products and slow down the growth of bacteria. If you’re wondering which CeraVe products have parabens and which do not, check the ingredient list and label on the package.

Is CeraVe Gluten-Free?

Most of CeraVe’s products are not gluten free. CeraVe has not made any statements saying they plan on changing their formulas to be gluten free in the near future. So if you need to have gluten free skincare products, CeraVe might not be the brand for you.

Is CeraVe Non-comedogenic?

Here is the statement that CeraVe makes on the FAQ section of their website:

“The majority of CeraVe products are non-comedogenic, so they won’t clog pores or cause acne. Please check the label or product page for more information. All CeraVe products are fragrance-free and non-irritating.”

Is CeraVe PETA Cruelty Free Approved?

No, PETA does not recognize CeraVe as a cruelty free brand.

Where To Buy CeraVe

One of the best things about CeraVe is that it is so easily accessible to everyone. You can easily buy it both in stores and online. If you’re looking in stores, look at your local department store like Target or Walmart. You can find it at drugstores such as Walgreens or CVS. You can also find it at beauty department stores like Ulta.

Here are the best places to buy CeraVe online:

Alternatives To CeraVe

If you’ve been wanting to try CeraVe’s products but you don’t want to buy something that was tested on animals, we’ve got you covered. Here are some alternative brands that are cruelty-free.

Final Thoughts

Although CeraVe is an incredible skincare brand, they are not cruelty free. They also are not vegan. However, their products are extremely effective and great for all skin types. If you’ve made the choice that you only want to buy from brands that are cruelty free, choose from our list of our favorite cruelty free skincare brands.