Heidi Norton
Laura Mercier is a French cosmetics brand founded by makeup artist Laura Mercier in 1996. The brand has been criticised for its unclear stance on animal testing, with some sources claiming that the company tests on animals, either directly or through third parties. While Laura Mercier states that it does not test on animals, it includes the caveat except when required by law, which typically implies that the company sells its products in countries that mandate animal testing, such as mainland China. The brand has also been criticised for its lack of transparency, refusing to answer questions about its animal testing policies. Laura Mercier is owned by Orveon, a subsidiary of Advent International, and its parent company has been known to conduct animal testing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cruelty-free status | Unclear, Vague, Not cruelty-free |
| Sold in mainland China | Yes |
| Owned by company that tests on animals | Yes |
| Vegan | No |
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What You'll Learn
Laura Mercier's animal testing policy
On its website, Laura Mercier claims that it does not conduct animal testing on its products or ingredients, nor does it ask others to test on its behalf, except when required by law. This ambiguous statement implies that the company sells its products in countries that mandate animal testing, such as mainland China.
Laura Mercier is owned by Shiseido, a company that does engage in animal testing. This further complicates the matter, as it means that Laura Mercier products could be considered non-cruelty-free by association.
Some sources claim that Laura Mercier does, in fact, test on animals. This could be done directly by the brand, through its suppliers, or through a third party. Mainland China is often mentioned as the location where these tests are conducted, as it is known for its mandatory animal testing regulations for cosmetic products.
While Laura Mercier has stated its commitment to eliminating animal testing and claims to be actively working with industry partners to achieve this goal, the company's current stance and involvement in markets that require animal testing cast doubt on its cruelty-free status.
Overall, Laura Mercier's animal testing policy remains in a gray area, with the brand neither clearly confirming nor denying its involvement in animal testing, especially in territories where it may be required by law.
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Laura Mercier's parent company
Laura Mercier Cosmetics is a French and American cosmetics and skincare line founded by celebrity makeup artist Laura Mercier in 1996. The brand became known for its focus on creating the "flawless face", a concept derived from Mercier's reputation for promoting natural-looking makeup.
Laura Mercier is owned by Shiseido, a company that tests on animals. Shiseido is a Japanese multinational personal care company that is headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo. It was founded in 1872 and is the largest cosmetics company in Japan. Shiseido offers skincare, hair care, cosmetics, and fragrance products and has a portfolio of over 40 brands, including Drunk Elephant, NARS, and BareMinerals.
As a company that sells its products in mainland China, Shiseido is subject to the country's animal testing laws. China requires most imported cosmetics to be tested on animals as part of its regulatory framework for ensuring product safety. While some exemptions have been introduced in recent years, allowing certain types of cosmetics to be exported and sold without animal testing, the vast majority of beauty brands available in China have had their products tested on animals.
Due to its ownership by Shiseido and its decision to sell in mainland China, Laura Mercier is not considered a cruelty-free brand. While Laura Mercier claims that it does not test on animals or ask others to do so except when required by law, its products are likely tested on animals in China.
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Laura Mercier's vegan status
Laura Mercier is not a vegan brand. The company has been vague about its animal testing policy for years, and it is unclear whether Laura Mercier is cruelty-free.
On its website, Laura Mercier states that it does not test its products on animals, nor does it ask others to do so on its behalf, except where required by law. However, the company has been non-cooperative and refuses to answer questions about its animal testing policies.
Laura Mercier is owned by Shiseido, a company that tests on animals. The brand also sells its products in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law. This means that their products are likely tested on animals.
Some sources claim that Laura Mercier does test on animals, either themselves or through their suppliers or third parties. However, other sources state that Laura Mercier does not conduct animal testing and only sells in countries where it is not required by law.
Due to the uncertainty around Laura Mercier's animal testing policies and the fact that they sell in mainland China, it is difficult to determine whether their products are truly vegan.
While some Laura Mercier products may be vegan, it is recommended to avoid any products offered by the company due to its lack of transparency and involvement in animal testing.
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Laura Mercier's sales in China
Laura Mercier is a French makeup brand that is best known for its "Flawless Face" look that was introduced in the mid-1990s. The brand is currently undergoing a ""modern repositioning"" to improve its formulas through biomimetic ingredients and enhance its digital capabilities. As part of this strategy, Laura Mercier aims to expand its global presence and has targeted Asia Pacific as a key market.
In 2022, Laura Mercier entered into an exclusive agreement with the biggest luxury beauty distributor in China, signalling the brand's priority to expand in the region. The brand's sales strategy in China has been a topic of discussion, particularly regarding animal testing laws in the country.
Laura Mercier is owned by Shiseido, a company that has been known to conduct animal testing. While Laura Mercier has stated that they do not conduct animal testing themselves, they have allowed their products to be tested on animals in certain cases, particularly in mainland China where animal testing is required by law. This has led to a debate about the brand's cruelty-free status.
To sell their products in physical stores in China, Laura Mercier must consent and pay to have their products tested on animals. This means that while the brand itself may not be conducting the tests, it knowingly allows Chinese authorities to do so as a requirement for market entry. This decision to sell in China has been a point of contention for those who support cruelty-free practices.
In summary, Laura Mercier's sales in China are part of the brand's global expansion strategy, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. However, the brand's presence in China has also raised questions about its commitment to cruelty-free practices due to the country's mandatory animal testing laws. While Laura Mercier may not conduct animal testing themselves, they allow their products to be tested on animals by Chinese authorities as a requirement for selling in physical stores.
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Laura Mercier's advertising
Beyond the issues of diversity and representation, Laura Mercier's advertising has also faced scrutiny due to the brand's vague and unclear stance on animal testing. While the brand has stated on its website that it does not conduct animal testing on its products or ingredients, it has also included the caveat "except where required by law". This ambiguous statement has led to confusion and skepticism among consumers, particularly as Laura Mercier sells its products in mainland China, where animal testing is mandated by law.
The brand has been criticized for its lack of transparency and cooperation on this issue, refusing to answer questions about its animal testing policies from organizations such as Cruelty-Free Kitty and Ethical Elephant. This has resulted in Laura Mercier being labeled as "not cruelty-free" by some sources, which has further impacted its public image and trust among conscious consumers.
To address these concerns, Laura Mercier could take a stronger and more transparent stand against animal testing, providing clear and detailed information about its policies and practices. By being more open and cooperative, the brand could rebuild trust and demonstrate a commitment to ethical practices.
Additionally, Laura Mercier should focus on creating diverse and inclusive advertising campaigns that represent a wide range of skin tones and ethnicities. By featuring a variety of models and showcasing an array of shades in its promotions, the brand can showcase its inclusivity and appeal to a broader audience. This approach would not only be well received by consumers but would also demonstrate Laura Mercier's commitment to representing and celebrating diverse beauty.
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Frequently asked questions
Laura Mercier is not cruelty-free. The company allows its products to be tested on animals when required by law.
Yes, Laura Mercier sells its products in mainland China, where animal testing is required.
Laura Mercier claims that it does not test its products on animals or ask others to do so on its behalf. However, it is owned by Shiseido, a company that conducts animal testing.
No, Laura Mercier is not vegan. Its products contain animal-derived ingredients such as lanolin and beeswax.
