As an icon of both the music and fashion industry, Rihanna’s venture into the beauty world was met with great anticipation. Fenty Beauty launched in 2017 with a promise to make ‘women everywhere feel included’. Its diverse range of 40 foundation shades turned the beauty industry on its head, and it continues to innovate with its high-performing, inclusive product line.
While the brand’s inclusive agenda has been widely celebrated, questions have been raised about its ‘clean beauty’ credentials. The terms ‘cruelty-free’ and ‘vegan’ are often thrown around, but what do they mean in the context of Fenty Beauty? This article will take a deep dive into Fenty Beauty’s practices to determine just how clean the brand really is.
Digging into ‘Cruelty-Free’ Claims
‘Cruelty-free’ is a term often used by cosmetic companies to indicate that their products and ingredients have not been tested on animals. Fenty Beauty certainly claims to be a cruelty-free brand. They state on their website: “Fenty Beauty is a cruelty-free brand. We do not test on animals, nor do we allow suppliers or affiliates to conduct testing on our behalf.”
Sounds promising, right? However, delving a little deeper, it’s important to note that there is no legal definition for ‘cruelty-free’ in the cosmetics industry. Brands are largely able to self-regulate, leading to a lack of consistency and transparency in what ‘cruelty-free’ really means.
Understanding the Meaning of ‘Vegan’ in Cosmetics
Just like ‘cruelty-free’, the term ‘vegan’ can be somewhat of a minefield in the cosmetic world. Generally, a vegan product is one that does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. This includes obvious ingredients like honey and beeswax, but also less known animal-derived ingredients like lanolin (from sheep’s wool) and carmine (from crushed beetles).
However, the term ‘vegan’ in cosmetics does not necessarily mean the product is cruelty-free. A product can be vegan but still be tested on animals, and vice versa. Fenty Beauty does offer some vegan products, but the complete range is not entirely vegan.
Detailed Analysis of Fenty Beauty’s Ingredient List
A detailed analysis of Fenty Beauty’s ingredient list can provide valuable insight into their ‘clean’ claims. Many of their products contain synthetic ingredients like dimethicone (a silicone-based polymer) and phenoxyethanol (a synthetic preservative). While synthetic does not automatically mean harmful, it does bring into question the brand’s ‘natural’ claims.
Interestingly, Fenty Beauty products are free from parabens and phthalates, both of which have been linked to potential health concerns. Yet, the use of synthetic fragrances, which can trigger allergies and sensitivities, does raise concerns about the overall ‘clean-ness’ of the brand.
Fenty Beauty’s Animal Testing Policies and Practices
As aforementioned, Fenty Beauty states that they are a cruelty-free brand and do not conduct animal testing. However, this does not necessarily mean that all their products are free from animal testing. Certain countries, like China, require imported cosmetics to be tested on animals by law. If a brand retails in these countries, it cannot truly claim to be 100% cruelty-free.
On this matter, Fenty Beauty stands firm, stating: “We never test products or ingredients on animals, nor do we allow suppliers or affiliates to conduct testing on our behalf.” This suggests Fenty Beauty does not sell in mainland China, and thus upholds their cruelty-free claim.
How Fenty Beauty Stacks Up Against Other Clean Brands
When compared to other clean brands, Fenty Beauty’s stance on animal testing and their partial vegan product range is commendable. However, the inclusion of synthetic ingredients and fragrances in their formulations does not align with what some would consider ‘clean beauty’.
Well-renowned clean beauty brands like Tata Harper and RMS Beauty avoid synthetic ingredients entirely, opting for natural, non-toxic alternatives. Fenty Beauty, while pioneering in inclusivity, falls a bit short in their clean beauty journey when compared to these forerunners.
The Truth Behind Fenty Beauty’s Vegan Label
As mentioned earlier, Fenty Beauty does offer some vegan products. However, not all their products fall under this label. For example, their popular Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer contains beeswax, a non-vegan ingredient.
It’s crucial for consumers to be aware that the ‘vegan’ label is not used consistently across the brand. Interested parties should scrutinize the ingredient list of individual products to ensure they align with personal vegan standards.
Concluding Thoughts: Is Fenty Beauty Truly Clean?
In conclusion, Fenty Beauty’s claims of being cruelty-free seem to hold true. Their animal testing policies align with the cruelty-free ethos, and they are transparent about their partial vegan product range. However, the inclusion of synthetic ingredients and fragrances in their formulations leaves room for improvement in their clean beauty journey.
Fenty Beauty has made significant strides in inclusivity and representation in the beauty industry. The hope is that they will continue to pave the way, not only in diversity but in true clean beauty as well.
