Established in 1964, Kérastase has firmly positioned itself as a luxury haircare brand, offering a wide range of products to meet various hair needs. Its mission to provide personalized solutions in haircare has made it a go-to brand for many individuals worldwide. Kérastase’s innovations have been pioneering in the beauty industry, but consumers in recent years have been increasingly curious about the brand’s ethical policies.
As the beauty industry continues to evolve, there’s a growing demand for brands to be transparent about their practices. In this light, Kérastase has been making claims about being a clean, cruelty-free, and vegan brand. However, just how accurate are these assertions? This article aims to delve deep into Kérastase’s practices and claims, and provide an insight into the brand’s ethical standing.
Unpacking ‘Clean Beauty’: What it Really Means
The term ‘clean beauty’ has gained significant traction in recent years. But what does it truly entail? In essence, clean beauty refers to products that are non-toxic, safe, and transparent about their ingredient list. It’s about creating beauty formulations that are as harmless to our bodies as they are to our environment.
However, it’s important to note that there are no strict regulations defining what makes a beauty product ‘clean’. This loophole has allowed some brands to make ‘clean beauty’ claims without substantial evidence. Therefore, when considering if Kérastase or any other brand is genuinely ‘clean’, one must carefully inspect the ingredient lists and manufacturing practices.
Kérastase’s Claims of Being Cruelty-Free
Kérastase claims to be a cruelty-free brand, meaning they pledge not to test their products or ingredients on animals at any stage of product development. The brand also asserts that they do not allow others to test on their behalf. These claims align with the fundamental principles of cruelty-free regulations.
However, examining these claims thoroughly is essential as certain grey areas might exist. For instance, some brands claim to be cruelty-free but sell their products in countries where animal testing is mandatory, which contradicts the cruelty-free ethos.
Analyzing the ‘Cruelty-Free’ Certification Process
A brand attains cruelty-free certification from independent bodies such as Leaping Bunny, PETA, or Choose Cruelty-Free. These bodies have strict criteria that brands must meet to use the certification logos. The process is detailed and requires full transparency from the brand, ensuring no form of animal testing is used at any stage.
It’s noteworthy that although Kérastase claims to be cruelty-free, it does not hold certification from any of these bodies. This lack of certification might raise doubts among consumers seeking assurance of the brand’s cruelty-free status.
Is Kérastase Truly Vegan? The Ingredients Breakdown
A vegan brand, in beauty terms, refers to the absence of any animal-derived ingredients in the product formulation. Kérastase claims to be a vegan brand, implying that no animals were harmed or used in the manufacturing of their products.
Looking into the ingredient list of various Kérastase products, it’s clear that many products are indeed free from animal derivatives. However, some products contain ingredients like beeswax and lanolin, which are animal byproducts. This discrepancy suggests that while some Kérastase products might be vegan, the brand as a whole cannot be classified as strictly vegan.
What Does Being a Vegan Brand Involve?
To be a truly vegan brand, every facet of product development, from sourcing to manufacturing, must exclude the use of animals or animal-derived products. A vegan brand also needs to ensure that the suppliers of their raw materials are aligned with vegan principles.
While Kérastase may offer several vegan-friendly products, the presence of non-vegan ingredients in some of their range indicates a lack of consistency with the vegan ethos. This inconsistency might lead to skepticism about their claims of being a fully vegan brand.
The Public Perception of Kérastase’s Ethical Claims
The public perception of a brand steers its reputation and plays a significant role in its success. While Kérastase enjoys a premium status in the beauty industry, perceptions about their ethical claims are mixed.
Some consumers trust the brand’s assertions, crediting their visible efforts towards cruelty-free and vegan practices. However, others express doubts due to the lack of cruelty-free certification and the presence of non-vegan ingredients in some products. It’s clear that the public perception of Kérastase’s ethical claims leans towards skepticism, which may affect the brand’s standing among ethically conscious consumers.
Conclusion: Is Kérastase a Clean, Cruelty-Free, and Vegan Brand?
Kérastase’s claim of being a ‘clean’ brand stands up to scrutiny, given their non-toxic formulations and ingredient transparency. However, the absence of cruelty-free certification and the presence of non-vegan ingredients in some products cast doubt on their assertions of being a completely cruelty-free and vegan brand.
While Kérastase is evidently making strides towards ethical practices, there’s a need for greater consistency and clarity in their claims. Consumers deserve full transparency in order to make truly informed decisions. Until then, the verdict on whether Kérastase is a completely clean, cruelty-free, and vegan brand remains open to interpretation.
