The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of The Prowler. 

For us to feel and look pretty, animals are being tortured. Some of your favorite makeup brands are abusing animals for our own vanity. Animals are injected with chemicals that are also applied to their bodies. 

Companies test products on animals to make sure they are safe for humans. The website Sentient Media explains that animal testing started in the United States in 1938 because of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This law made sure products were being tested before being sold. Animal testing is still happening in 2022, and it needs to stop. 

The website Humane Society explains that animal testing is unnecessary and inhumane because people have already found safe ingredients that don’t require more testing. Also, there are alternative methods for makeup testing, like computer models and human-cell-based tests. 

According to the website, the abuse animals endure includes dropping chemicals into animals’ eyes, being forced to eat ingredients, and being shaved so researchers can rub products on their skin to look for an allergic reaction. Ultimately, the animals are killed if they don’t die during the process. As many as 100,000-200,000 animals are killed annually worldwide, according to the website Impaktar. 

How do we change this? 

A few months ago, a picture was going around Instagram, a list of 30 makeup brands that still test on animals. The website, Cruelty Free Kitty created this image to spread awareness. 

Over half of these brands are sold at the two most popular makeup stores, Ulta and Sephora. Everyone has probably used at least one brand that has tested on animals, and that’s because they are unaware. Do your research before buying a new makeup product, and make sure it is cruelty-free! Also, check labels on makeup products or ask if these products are tested on animals. 

The Humane Society is currently working in several US states to end animal testing. In Feb. 2022, eight states (California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, and Virginia) banned animal testing. 

The most important thing you can do is switch to cruelty-free products and educate others to stop buying animal-tested products. Animal testing causes suffering for animals worldwide, even though it’s unnecessary.