Mac Cosmetics: Fragrance-Free Or Not?

MAC Cosmetics, or Makeup Artist Cosmetics, is a worldwide cosmetics brand that was founded in Toronto, Canada, in 1984. The company initially designed products specifically for professional makeup artists but has since expanded to sell to consumers globally. MAC offers a wide range of makeup products and shades, including over 160 lipstick shades and 150 eye shadow shades. In addition to its cosmetics line, MAC also offers an extensive range of fragrances, with 21 perfumes in its fragrance base as of 2025. However, it is important to note that MAC is not a cruelty-free or fragrance-free brand, and its products may contain synthetic fragrances.

MAC is not fragrance-free

MAC, which stands for Makeup Artist Cosmetics, was founded in Toronto, Canada, in 1984 by Frank Toscan and Frank Notarangelo. The company initially designed products specifically for professional makeup artists but has since expanded to selling its products worldwide.

While MAC does offer some vegan products, they are not 100% vegan, and some of their products do contain animal-derived ingredients. The company is also not cruelty-free, as they have paid to have their finished products tested on animals in China to sell in that market. This is despite their policy of not testing on animals and their parent company, Estée Lauder, being a non-cruelty-free company that tests on animals where required by law.

MAC is, however, committed to sustainability and social responsibility. Their Back-To-MAC program has recycled or recovered used product packaging for over 30 years, and they have also donated to organizations like Plastics for Change to further their environmental and social impact.

MAC is not cruelty-free

MAC claims that they do not test on animals and do not own any animal testing facilities. They state that they never ask others to test on animals for them. However, they acknowledge that some governments, such as China, conduct animal testing to prove the safety of cosmetic products before they can be sold. MAC continues to sell its products in China, and while they may not directly perform the animal testing, they agree to and pay for these tests to be carried out.

MAC is owned by Estée Lauder, a company that tests on animals. This means that MAC is not cruelty-free, and neither is its parent company.

MAC is not certified as cruelty-free by any organizations. Leaping Bunny and PETA are two organizations that provide cruelty-free certification, but MAC is not listed by either of them.

In summary, while MAC claims to be against animal testing, they continue to sell their products in countries where animal testing is required by law. They are willing to agree to and pay for these tests to be carried out, which goes against the principles of being cruelty-free. Therefore, MAC cannot be considered a cruelty-free brand.

MAC is owned by Estée Lauder

MAC Cosmetics, branded as M•A•C, was developed in Canada in 1984. The cosmetics company was founded by Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo in Toronto. It was acquired by Estée Lauder in 1994 when the larger company took control of 51% of its shares. Estée Lauder Inc. completed the acquisition in 1998, and Frank Toskan sold his remaining shares before leaving the company at the end of that year.

MAC Cosmetics is now a subsidiary of the Estée Lauder Companies and has been since 1998. The company has been headquartered in London since the acquisition.

Estée Lauder's acquisition of MAC Cosmetics was a strategic move to add a line of makeup products that would be suitable for makeup artists as well as standard clients. The company's products are now sold in more than 120 countries around the world and have added to Estée Lauder's bottom line, expanding the parent company's social and consumer network.

MAC Cosmetics is known for its professional-quality cosmetic products and has been named one of the top three global makeup brands, with an annual turnover of over $1 billion and 500 independent stores. The company's most popular products include Studio Fix Fluid and Ruby Woo Lipstick.

MAC offers vegan products

MAC is not a cruelty-free brand. The company allows its products to be tested on animals when required by law, including when selling in stores in mainland China. MAC is also owned by Estée Lauder, a parent company that engages in animal testing.

Although MAC claims that it does not test on animals, it acknowledges that some governments require animal testing before allowing the sale of its products. This is the case in mainland China, where MAC sells its cosmetics in physical stores. To sell in these stores, MAC must consent and pay to have its products tested on animals.

While MAC might offer some vegan products, it is not considered a vegan brand. Since MAC engages in animal testing, its products are not considered vegan.

A "vegan" product does not contain any animal-derived ingredients, such as beeswax, carmine (a red pigment made from crushed beetles), or collagen (from mammal or fish skin). A company is considered "100% vegan" when all of its products are vegan.

Some consumers choose to boycott brands owned by parent companies that test on animals, while others support cruelty-free brands owned by these parent companies to encourage them to become cruelty-free.

MAC is a clean beauty brand

MAC's products are formulated without phthalates, parabens (except MAC Pro Chromacake), formaldehyde donors, sodium lauryl sulfate (except MAC Pro Chromacake and mixing medium 7), sodium laureth sulfate, triclosan, D&C Yellow No. 11, oxybenzone, and synthetic microbeads 5mm or smaller.

In addition to being a clean beauty brand, MAC is also committed to sustainability. Their Back-To-M·A·C program has been recycling or recovering used product packaging for over 30 years, giving old plastic a second life whenever possible. What cannot be recycled is converted into energy.

MAC is also advancing sustainable packaging, with more than 50% of their packaging now recyclable, refillable, reusable, recycled, or recoverable by weight. They are also working to increase the amount of post-consumer recycled material in their packaging by up to 50% by 2025.

Furthermore, MAC offsets carbon emissions from U.S. shipping through funding emission reduction projects. This initiative is part of their parent company, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.'s, efforts to offset CO2e emissions from deliveries made from MAC's U.S. fulfillment centers to consumers' delivery addresses.

While MAC is a clean beauty brand, it is important to note that they are not cruelty-free or fragrance-free. MAC has likely paid to have their finished products tested on animals in China, and they do include fragrances in their products. However, they are paraben-free.

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