LAWLESS is a relatively new player in the market of beauty brands. It was founded by Annie Lawless, a wellness entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author, with the goal of creating clean, high performance cosmetics. Dedicated to the idea of “Clean AF,” which stands for “Always Free,” the brand has positioned itself as a champion of non-toxic, uncompromisingly clean and cruelty-free beauty products.
LAWLESS caters to the growing demand for beauty products free from harmful substances. The brand asserts that all of its products are free from carcinogenic, toxic, hormone and endocrine disrupting ingredients. Moreover, Lawless has made a promise to consumers that their products will never contain ingredients that are harmful to their health.
The main selling point of LAWLESS is its commitment to providing beauty products that are not only effective but also safe for use. The brand has a range of products that include foundations, concealers, lipsticks, eye shadows, and more. They claim to offer the performance of conventional cosmetics minus the harmful ingredients.
LAWLESS’s Commitment to Cruelty-Free Cosmetics
In line with its commitment to clean beauty, LAWLESS is staunchly cruelty-free. The brand pledges that none of its products or ingredients are tested on animals at any stage of product development. Furthermore, LAWLESS is not sold in countries where animal testing is required by law, thus reinforcing their commitment to cruelty-free cosmetics.
Notably, LAWLESS is Leaping Bunny certified, a globally recognized certification that ensures the brand complies with strict standards against animal testing. This certification guarantees that no new animal testing is used in any phase of product development by the company, its laboratories, or ingredient suppliers.
In addition to this, LAWLESS also operates under the principle of ethical sourcing, ensuring that all their raw materials are obtained in a responsible and sustainable manner. This further underlines their commitment to overall ethical practices beyond just animal welfare.
The Truth Behind LAWLESS’s Vegan Claims
When it comes to the question of being vegan, LAWLESS has made definitive claims. The brand asserts that all of their products are vegan, meaning they do not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products. This is indeed a bold statement, considering that many common cosmetic ingredients such as lanolin, beeswax, and certain types of collagen are derived from animals.
However, it’s important to note that while LAWLESS claims to be 100% vegan, there is no official certification to back this up. The brand is not registered with Vegan Action or the Vegan Society, both of which offer globally recognized vegan certifications for personal care products.
While this doesn’t necessarily mean that LAWLESS’s vegan claims are false, it does make it harder for consumers to verify these claims independently. As a result, customers are left to solely trust the brand’s self-declarations regarding its vegan status.
Dissecting the Ingredients: Is LAWLESS Truly Vegan?
Despite the lack of certification, a close inspection of the ingredients used by LAWLESS suggests that they generally hold up to their vegan claims. Let’s take, for example, their popular Seal The Deal Loose Setting Powder. The ingredients list includes mica, silica, and caprylic/capric triglyceride among others – all of which are vegan-friendly.
Similarly, their Woke Up Like This Foundation lists ingredients such as shea butter, squalane, and jojoba esters, which are plant-derived and vegan. It’s important to note, however, that while the brand does seem to uphold its vegan claims, without an official certification, there’s no guaranteed way to validate this.
It’s also worth mentioning that many of LAWLESS’s products are free of common allergens such as gluten, making them suitable for people with sensitive skin or allergies. This, along with their vegan and clean claims, certainly positions LAWLESS as a brand that places a strong emphasis on health and safety in cosmetics.
Addressing the Controversy: LAWLESS and Animal Testing
Despite their firm stand on animal cruelty, LAWLESS has faced some controversy. This stems from the brand’s choice to manufacture their products in China, a country known for its mandatory animal testing laws for cosmetics. Critics argue that, although LAWLESS itself does not test on animals, by choosing to manufacture in China, they indirectly support a regime that mandates animal testing.
However, it’s crucial to clarify that China’s mandatory animal testing laws primarily apply to cosmetics sold within the country. Brands like LAWLESS that manufacture in China but do not sell there are usually exempt from these regulations. LAWLESS maintains that its Chinese manufacturing facilities operate under strict cruelty-free protocols.
Nevertheless, this controversy serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in the cosmetics industry, where brands must navigate a web of regulations and cultural practices to maintain their cruelty-free and vegan promises.
Reading Between the Lines: LAWLESS’s Certifications
When it comes to certifications, LAWLESS has one key certification to its name – the Leaping Bunny certification. This is a globally recognized certification program that guarantees a brand’s products are cruelty-free. While this is a significant accreditation, it only addresses the brand’s stand on animal testing and does not verify its vegan claims.
| Certification | Covers |
|---|---|
| Leaping Bunny | Cruelty-Free |
LAWLESS is noticeably lacking in other key certifications such as USDA Organic, EWG Verified, and any vegan certification. These certifications provide an independent, third-party verification of a brand’s claims and can offer reassurance to consumers.
This lack of additional certifications doesn’t necessarily mean that LAWLESS doesn’t adhere to the clean, vegan, and cruelty-free principles it propagates. However, it does mean that customers have to rely on the brand’s own word and transparency for validation.
LAWLESS: Clean Beauty or Clever Marketing?
In an era where consumers are increasingly aware and concerned about what goes into their cosmetics, clean beauty has become more than just a trend – it’s a movement. LAWLESS positions itself at the forefront of this movement with its Clean AF promise, but is it truly clean beauty or just clever marketing?
While LAWLESS does seem to uphold its claims of being vegan and cruelty-free, the lack of official certification for the former leaves some room for doubt. The controversy surrounding its manufacturing practices in China adds another layer of complexity to the brand’s clean image.
Furthermore, the term “clean” in the beauty industry is not well-regulated, leading to some brands loosely using it for marketing purposes. While LAWLESS’s self-declared clean status is backed by a list of “banned ingredients” they promise never to use, the absence of external verification means consumers must trust the brand’s own assertions.
Final Verdict: Is LAWLESS a Clean and Cruelty-Free Brand?
Based on its commitment to cruelty-free practices, its Leaping Bunny certification, and a thorough examination of its ingredients, LAWLESS does seem to stay true to its claims of providing clean and cruelty-free cosmetics. The brand appears to uphold its promise of offering beauty products without harmful substances, making it a viable choice for consumers seeking safer alternatives.
However, the question of its vegan status remains somewhat unresolved due to lack of certification. The controversy regarding its manufacturing practices also raises some doubts about its overall ethical stance. Without additional certifications and complete transparency, the brand leaves some room for skepticism.
In conclusion, while LAWLESS makes a strong case for being a clean, cruelty-free, and vegan brand, it falls short of providing undeniable proof. Consumers looking to buy from the brand would do well to conduct their own research and decide if LAWLESS meets their individual standards of clean and ethical beauty.
