In the world of cosmetics and skincare, a revolution has been taking hold. A movement towards clean beauty has emerged, as a response to consumer demand for safer, more ethically produced products. These so-called clean beauty brands promise products free from harmful ingredients, cruelty-free production methods, and transparent labelling.
RMS Beauty is one such brand that claims to embody these values. With its sleek packaging and celebrity endorsements, RMS Beauty has made a name for itself in the clean beauty industry. However, with the increased scrutiny of beauty brands and their practices, it is important to investigate whether these claims hold up under close examination.
The question that looms large is – Is RMS beauty truly a clean brand? In this article, we delve deep into this query, examining the brand’s cruelty-free and vegan claims.
Understanding Clean Beauty: Key Considerations
Before we delve into the analysis of RMS Beauty, it’s important to understand what constitutes a clean beauty brand. A brand can be considered clean if it fulfills three primary criteria: ingredient safety, cruelty-free practices, and environmentally-friendly production methods.
The safety of ingredients refers to the exclusion of harmful substances such as parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. Cruelty-free refers to the absence of animal testing at any stage of product development. Environmental sustainability encompasses everything from packaging to the sourcing of ingredients.
However, the term “clean” is not regulated by any governmental body. This means that brands can make these claims without any legal repercussions, making it difficult for consumers to decipher which brands are genuinely clean.
RMS Beauty: The Brand’s Background and Philosophy
Founded by makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift, RMS Beauty rose to fame with its line of organic, clean cosmetics. Swift’s philosophy is simple: beauty products should not only enhance your appearance, but also nourish your skin. She believes that skin is ‘a mirror to your gut’, and therefore, all RMS Beauty products are created with raw, food-grade, and organic ingredients.
RMS Beauty prides itself on its commitment to clean beauty, claiming to use only the purest ingredients and adhere to the highest standards in all stages of production. They also proclaim to be a cruelty-free brand, stating that they do not test their products on animals.
RMS Beauty: Promises of Being Cruelty-Free
On their website, RMS Beauty clearly states their stance on animal testing. According to the brand, they do not test their products or ingredients on animals, nor do they ask others to do so on their behalf. They also claim that their suppliers do not test on animals.
This is a significant claim to make, as it implies adherence to the highest standards of animal rights in the beauty industry. However, in the absence of third-party certification or regulation, it’s essential to examine these claims more closely.
Investigating RMS Beauty’s Cruelty-Free Claims
While RMS Beauty makes clear cruelty-free claims on their website, it is worth noting that there is no official certification from third-party cruelty-free organizations like Leaping Bunny or PETA. These organizations provide strict guidelines and regular audits to ensure brands are truly cruelty-free.
Furthermore, the claim that their suppliers do not test on animals is difficult to verify without a detailed supply chain transparency. It’s also worthwhile to note that while RMS Beauty does not sell in mainland China, where animal testing is mandated by law, the lack of third-party certification creates ambiguity surrounding their cruelty-free status.
RMS Beauty’s Position on Vegan Beauty Products
Alongside their cruelty-free stance, RMS Beauty also propagates their commitment to vegan beauty. They state that with the exception of a few products that contain beeswax and carmine, the majority of their offerings are vegan.
This is an important claim, as the use of animal-derived ingredients is a key concern for many consumers. Vegan beauty aligns with the clean beauty ethos by embodying ethical, sustainable, and healthy approaches to cosmetics.
Assessing the Vegan Claims: What We Found
Upon closer inspection, it appears that RMS Beauty does contain some products that are not vegan. For instance, their “Un” Cover-up Cream Foundation and Living Luminizer contain beeswax, and the Swift Shadows range contains carmine.
While these are not harmful ingredients, they are not vegan, which contradicts RMS Beauty’s claim of being a predominantly vegan brand. However, it’s important to note that the brand is transparent about these ingredients, listing them clearly on their product pages and identifying which products are not vegan.
Conclusion: Is RMS Beauty Truly a Clean Brand?
In conclusion, while RMS Beauty certainly embodies many of the values inherent in the clean beauty movement, there are areas where it falls short. The lack of third-party certification for their cruelty-free claims and the presence of non-vegan ingredients in some products cast a shadow on their clean beauty status.
However, RMS Beauty’s commitment to ingredient safety, transparency, and sustainable practices are commendable. They are certainly ahead of many mainstream beauty brands in these aspects. Ultimately, the decision of whether RMS Beauty aligns with individual standards of clean beauty will be a personal one, based on each consumer’s values and priorities.
