Biotherm is a skincare company that was officially founded by biologist Jos Julien in 1952 in France. Biotherm has its origins in the mineral thermal spring located under Pyrenees Mountain. The spring contained thermal plankton, which is claimed to be essential for healthy skin. Biotherm, in fact, is a combination of biologists and thermal.
The brand started with a few products but quickly started producing creams for all skin types and most skin conditions. Soon after, Biotherm expanded outside of France. In 1974, Biotherm was moved to Monaco, and during the 1980s, the brand grew to the US and Asian markets.
Biotherm worked with several celebrities who were its ambassadors. Some of them are Elle Macpherson, Chris Noth, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Leighton Meester, and Candice Swanepoel.
Today, Biotherm is one of the most well-known skincare brands that is sold worldwide.
Is Biotherm Cruelty-Free?
Not sold in China? | No |
PETA Certified | No |
Leaping Bunny Certified | No |
Has vegan products | No |
Not owned by a Parent Company that does Animal Testing? | No |
No, Biotherm is not a cruelty-free brand.
As Biotherm is an EU-based brand, it means that it doesn’t test the finished products on animals. None of its ingredients and formulations are tested on animals, as well. However, the brand does pay for third-party testing when required by law. In other words, it doesn’t condemn animal testing when it brings profit to the brand. The brand doesn’t have an official animal testing policy.
If you like Biotherm’s products but can’t support a company that isn’t cruelty-free, you can always contact Biotherm’s representatives and politely ask them to reconsider the brand’s policies. Just remember always to be respectful, as impulsiveness and hate speech never accomplished anything.
Alternative Cruelty-Free Moisturizers
Alternative Cruelty-Free Body Lotion
Are Biotherm products sold in China?
Yes, Biotherm sells its products in mainland China.
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What is the Deal with China?
Even though animal testing is proven to be an unnecessary and unethical practice, some countries still require it by law. This is the case with the second-biggest market in the world, China.
China requires any beauty product to be tested on animals before allowing importation and being sold in Chinese stores. Any company or brand that makes the decision to sell in China has also decided to test on animals – either by themselves or, usually, by paying a third-party company to test on their behalf. This is the main reason why a lot of brands can’t achieve a true cruelty-free status. After growing public outrage, China did lift some regulations in 2014, which allowed certain beauty products, such as shampoos and other skincare items, to be imported without testing, but this is still a small percentage.
A lot of brands that claim to be cruelty-free are being misleading thanks to these laws. Even if a brand doesn’t conduct animal testing on its own, by deciding to take the opportunity and sell in countries such as China, it is allowing a third-party to test the final product on animals. This is why PETA and the Leaping Bunny Program have forbidden brands that they certify to expand their market in this direction – and rightfully so.
A lot of companies are working with the Chinese government on lifting these regulations, and legislation was proposed in 2019 that should stop mandatory animal testing. However until today, no substantial progress has been made in this regard, we continue to wait patiently.
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Is Biotherm Vegan?
No, Biotherm isn’t a vegan brand, and it doesn’t claim that any of its products are cruelty-free. Most, if not all, of Biotherm’s products, contain some form of animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products, such as lanoline and beeswax.
Who owns Biotherm and does the parent company test on animals?
L’Oreal became the owner of Biotherm in 1970. L’Oreal is a cosmetics company that is not cruelty-free. However, L’Oreal allows the brands it owns to choose their own animal cruelty policies. This means that the choice not to be cruelty-free was on Biotherm alone.
What products does Biotherm sell?
Biotherm started with three products launched in 1952: Biotherm Cure, La Crème Triple-Usage, and Biomans, a hand moisturizer that is still sold worldwide. It quickly started selling other items, such as breast firming creams and skincare solutions for various skin problems. Another of the oldest products still on the market are Lait Corporel, a moisturizing body lotion that uses citrus extract. In 1985, Biotherm introduced its first men skincare line, Biotherm Homme.
Other than this, Biotherm sells various anti-aging and anti-sun products, as well as products for numerous skin conditions and body fragrances.