Mostly, Estée Lauder is quite transparent, but they are not 100% transparent. While they responded to our cruelty-free criteria questions, the response was partial and we could not get answer for each criteria.

No, Estée Lauder is not a cruelty‑free brand because they test on animals directly or indirectly. Let's take a look at each animal testing criteria.

No, Estée Lauder does not test final products or ingredients on animals.

Maybe. It is possible that their suppliers test final products or ingredients on animals. We reached out to them, but they did not confirm this info with us.

No, Estée Lauder does not do any animal testing through 3rd-parties.

Yes, Estée Lauder conducts pre-market animal testing in China. China requires animal testing on imported cosmetic products that did not go through a pre-market testing exemption process. Also, all special use cosmetics such as sunscreen, skin brightening products, hair dyes etc. must test on animals to be sold in China. Even if they manage to avoid pre-market animal testing, any products sold in China can be tested on animals by post-market testing labs if consumer complaints are filed.

Estée Lauder is not certified as cruelty-free by PETA nor Leaping Bunny.

No, Estée Lauder is not a 100% vegan brand because some of their products contain animal ingredients or animal by-products.
We consider a brand as 100% vegan if their products do not contain

• animal ingredients
• animal by-products (including honey and beeswax)
• any other animal-derived ingredients

Estée Lauder does not meet this criteria.