Is Morphe Cruelty-Free And Vegan?

We all know Morphe for their huge eyeshadow palettes, brush sets, many influencer collabs, and coupon codes. Their makeup falls between drugstore and high-end pricing. It’s not as cheap as drugstore brands like Wet n Wild but it’s not quite high-end pricing either. They’re sort of like a fast-fashion makeup brand, mass-producing new and trendy collections often. So, what does a brand like Morphe’s cruelty-free status and ingredient breakdown look like?

Is Morphe Cruelty-Free?

Morphe falls in the grey zone of being cruelty-free because they claim to be cruelty-free but don’t have any certifications to back it up. Morphe says they are cruelty-free and they do not sell in Mainland China but all these answers are vague without much fact-based evidence. It’s not much to go off of and it’s hard to trust. It’s up to you to decide if you still want to support them but their cruelty-free status could be much more iron clad.

When it comes to being cruelty-free, just simply stating that you’re cruelty-free isn’t enough to prove so. A PETA or Leaping Bunny certification gives much more credibility. Why? There are many facets of cruelty-free status that a brand must prove to show that they truly don’t test on animals. It’s not just testing on animals but using suppliers that don’t test on animals or not commissioning others to do so for you.

Here’s is Morphe’s response taken from their FAQ page.

“Morphe does not condone animal testing in any way. We do not test any of our products on animals. We also do not test any of our ingredients on animals, nor do we allow our manufacturers to do so on our behalf. Instead, we choose to test drive our products on people (with their permission, of course).”

While their statement covers animal testing and manufacturer testing, they just don’t have proof.

Is Morphe Vegan?

Morphe is not 100% vegan but they do have a good amount of vegan products. All their vegan products have it listed on the packaging.

Some of their most popular vegan products include:

  • Fluidity Foundation
  • Fluidity Concealer
  • Morphe Highlighters
  • Mega Matte Lipsticks
  • James Charles Artistry Palette (which is argued by some due to the talc and synthetic dyes.)

Their liquid lipsticks and lip glosses contain beeswax and carmine and are NOT vegan.

Is Morphe Organic?

No, Morphe is not organic. They don’t claim to be and that’s not their niche. They’re sort of like the fast fashion of makeup that mass produces products to keep up with the latest trends and influencers. Their stuff is usually pretty affordable and comes in cardboard and plastic packaging.

Some organic brands to check out include Burt’s Bees, Kosas, Ilia and Lawless Beauty. It gives you an idea of what a commitment it is for a brand to be organic.

Where is Morphe Made?

Morphe is made in China. (FYI: Manufacturing in China does not affect cruelty-free status.) Their headquarters are located in San Francisco, CA.

Is Morphe Sold in China?

No, Morphe is not sold in physical stores in Mainland China. This is essential for being cruelty-free but we know they don’t have any certifications. If you’re looking to buy Morphe outside the US, check their website for authorized retailers.

Is Morphe Paraben-Free?

Morphe doesn’t give any information on paraben-free products. It appears that they do have some but to be sure, read the label before picking any up. Parabens are preservatives to give the product a longer shelf life and are usually anything -paraben in the ingredients.

The Fluidity Foundation is paraben-free.

Is Morphe Gluten-Free?

Morphe’s products are not specifically formulated to be gluten-free. If you’re allergic to gluten, you’re best off reaching out to their customer service and double checking with your doctor.

Is Morphe Phthalates-free?

Morphe does not state if their products are phthalates-free which is frustrating. But, some of their products look like they are phthalate-free. You can look for phthalates in products by looking up the ingredients -phthalate, DEP, DBP, DEHP and fragrance which is a little tougher to identify.

Is Morphe Non-comedogenic?

Morphe is not non-comedogenic. Non-comedogenic means a product is formulated to not be pore clogging. Morphe’s Fluidity Foundation is free of fragrance and oils so if you have sensitive skin, that may be a good option. Keep in mind, because a foundation isn’t non-comedogenic doesn’t mean it’ll clog your pores. And a non-comedogenic foundation doesn’t mean it’s suitable for every skin type.

Is Morphe PETA Cruelty-Free Approved?

No, Morphe is not PETA cruelty-free approved. They don’t have any cruelty-free certifications. Certifications which is why they’re hard to trust. Saying they don’t test on animals isn’t enough, tangible proof is needed.

Many in the beauty community have complained that Morphe is not forthcoming with their ingredients. Some even believe that they purposefully deceive customers on purpose. The James Charles Artistry Palette claimed to be vegan but many spoke out against Morphe claiming that the talc and synthetic ingredients in the palette weren’t vegan. The palette’s vegan status is still debated upon today.

Where to Buy Morphe?

Morphe is available at Morphe stores which are located all over the US and morphe.com. There are tons of counterfeit Morphe sellers so make sure you’re purchasing from an authorized retailer.

Final Thoughts

Morphe has some patchy practices when it comes to their cruelty-free status. They don’t come off as very genuine or trustworthy, especially given they’ve had issues with ingredients before. The best thing they can do is get a cruelty-free certification from PETA or Leaping Bunny. Those give instant credibility to cruelty-free brands because they show proof.

Aside from their cruelty-free status, Morphe isn’t the most forthcoming with their ingredients and brand ethos. If you’re cruelty-free with your makeup, they may be a brand you want to steer clear of till everything on their end becomes more clear and credible.