RIES, a relatively new player in the beauty industry, has been making waves with its claims of being a green and clean brand. By promoting itself as cruelty-free and vegan, RIES has set high expectations for environmentally-conscious and ethical consumers who prioritize natural, cruelty-free, and vegan skincare products. But how accurate are these claims? In this article, we’ll dive deep into RIES’s brand philosophy, its proclaimed cruelty-free status, and its vegan claims.
It’s important to remember that “clean” and “green” are not regulated terms when it comes to cosmetics and skincare. It often falls upon the consumer to research and determine the truth behind a brand’s claims. So, whether you’re a dedicated fan of RIES or merely considering trying out their products, this investigation will shed light on their credibility and transparency.
As we proceed, remember that a truly clean brand needs to uphold not only eco-friendly and cruelty-free standards but also ensure that their products are free of harmful synthetic chemicals and additives. Let’s begin our investigation.
Understanding RIES’s Brand Philosophy
RIES’s brand philosophy revolves around two core principles: products that are kind to your skin and kind to the environment. They emphasize the use of natural ingredients over harmful chemicals and firmly stand against animal testing. Furthermore, they claim to be a vegan brand, implying that their products do not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
RIES takes pride in their minimalistic approach to skincare. They believe in using fewer, but high-quality ingredients to deliver effective skincare solutions. This philosophy extends beyond their product formulation to their packaging, which is designed to be minimal and recyclable.
However, the true test of a brand’s philosophy is how it holds up in practice. Claims are easy to make, but do RIES’s actions align with their words? Let’s delve deeper into their cruelty-free and vegan claims to find out.
Breaking Down RIES’s Cruelty-Free Claims
RIES boldly declares itself a cruelty-free brand, meaning that they don’t test their products on animals at any stage of the production process. But what does this claim entail?
A genuinely cruelty-free brand should adhere to three main criteria: no animal testing on the finished product, no animal testing during the product development process, and no sourcing of ingredients tested on animals. RIES claims to adhere to all these criteria, but this is a difficult claim to verify independently.
While RIES is not certified by Cruelty-Free International’s Leaping Bunny Program, the most stringent and globally recognized cruelty-free certification, they do hold PETA’s ‘Beauty Without Bunnies’ certification. This does lend some credence to their claims, but it’s important to remember that PETA’s certification process is generally considered less rigorous than that of Leaping Bunny.
Is RIES Truly Vegan? A Closer Look
RIES not only touts itself as cruelty-free but also claims that all its products are vegan. A vegan brand does not use any animal-derived ingredients or byproducts in its formulations. This includes ingredients like honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, albumen, carmine, cholesterol, and gelatin.
A detailed look at RIES’s product ingredients list reveals that they do indeed avoid the most common non-vegan ingredients. However, without a recognized third-party certification like the Vegan Society’s trademark, there’s room for potential grey areas.
It’s important to note that “vegan” doesn’t automatically mean “clean” or “safe”. Many synthetic and potentially harmful ingredients can be vegan, so it’s also important to consider the overall safety and cleanliness of the ingredients used.
Animal Testing and RIES: The Reality
When it comes to animal testing, RIES maintains that they do not conduct any tests on animals or source from suppliers who do. They also claim not to sell in any countries where animal testing is mandatory by law.
However, they currently do not hold any certification from organizations like Leaping Bunny or Cruelty Free International. These certifications provide an extra level of assurance to consumers, as they require strict adherence to no-animal-testing policies and regular independent audits to maintain the certification.
It’s also worth noting that RIES’s parent company, ABC Inc, is not cruelty-free. This may be of concern for some consumers, as it could indicate a certain level of disconnect between the brand’s philosophy and its parent company’s practices.
Evaluating the Ingredients: Are They Vegan?
A closer look at RIES’s product ingredients is necessary to truly evaluate their vegan claims. While they avoid overtly non-vegan ingredients, are their products 100% free of animal-derived substances?
Most of RIES’s products contain commonly used skincare ingredients like glycerin, stearic acid, squalene, and retinol, which can be either plant or animal-derived. Without clear information from RIES or a third-party certification, it’s difficult to confirm the source of these ingredients.
Furthermore, just because a product is vegan doesn’t mean it’s necessarily clean or safe. Many potentially harmful synthetic ingredients, like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, are technically vegan. While RIES claims to avoid these harmful ingredients, without full transparency or third-party verification, consumers must take their word for it.
Consumer Perception: Is RIES a Clean Brand?
All of RIES’s claims and philosophy put aside, what truly matters is how consumers perceive the brand. Are their customers satisfied with their products, and do they consider RIES a clean brand?
In general, RIES has received positive reviews from its users. Many customers appreciate the brand’s minimalist approach to skincare and their commitment to cruelty-free practices. However, there has been criticism regarding the lack of third-party certification for their cruelty-free and vegan claims.
It’s clear that while RIES’s philosophy resonates with many consumers, there is a demand for greater transparency and third-party validation to fully convince customers of their clean and green claims.
Conclusion: Making Sense of RIES’s Claims
In conclusion, while RIES’s brand philosophy and commitment to cruelty-free and vegan skincare are commendable, there’s room for greater transparency and third-party validation. Their lack of stringent cruelty-free certification and clear vegan ingredient information could potentially hinder them from being a truly clean brand.
Their products are generally well-received, and their commitment to environmentally-friendly practices is unquestionable. However, to fully live up to their green claims, RIES needs to be more proactive in seeking independent validation and being transparent about their ingredients.
It’s evident that the journey to becoming a clean brand involves more than just making claims; it requires consistent action, transparency, and validation. RIES seems to be on the right track, but there’s still more work to be done.
