Chanel is a fashion, fragrance, and cosmetics brand founded by Gabrielle Chanel in 1909 in France. The company first started by selling hats, ornate clothes, and jewelry to the rich Parisian ladies. It sustained both World Wars and adapted to become one of the most luxurious fashion brands globally. Quickly, though, the brand expanded into selling perfumes and later introduced its cosmetics as well, to make the brand more approachable.
Throughout the years, Chanel has changed numerous CEOs, but all of them kept the luxurious image of the brand. The company remained independent and is one of the biggest names of the global fashion industry. Its products are sold all across the world, and it has stores in more than 310 locations.
In 2018, the company announced its plans to ban exotic skins and furs from its clothing collections. However, we will focus on the cosmetics part of the company.
Is Chanel 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 |
Chanel is not a cruelty-free brand.
When it comes to cosmetics, the brand doesn’t test its finished products on animals. However, it does pay for third-party testing in countries where this is required by law for imported products. In other words, the brand doesn’t mind animal cruelty as long as it brings them profit. It claims to try to be as cruelty-free as possible when it comes to ingredients, testing them only when there are no alternatives. This is only an excuse, however, as you cannot be cruelty-free only to a limit. The brand’s suppliers aren’t cruelty-free, as well.
If you like Chanel’s products, but you can’t support a brand that isn’t cruelty-free. If that’s the case, you can always try to contact the brand’s representatives and respectfully ask them to reconsider their animal testing policies. Keep in mind that you have to stay gentle, as being disrespectful never accomplished anything.
Alternative Cruelty-Free Perfumes
Alternative Cruelty-Free Nail Polishes
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Are Chanel products sold in China?
Yes, Chanel 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 Chanel Vegan?
No, Chanel is not a vegan brand. This means that almost all of its products contain some animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products. Its Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum line Coco Madmoiselle is vegan-friendly. However, as the brand isn’t cruelty-free, we wouldn’t recommend this brand to vegans.
What products does Chanel sell?
Chanel is mostly known for its luxurious clothing items, but it also has various cosmetics and fragrance lines. In the 1950s, it introduced its first eau de toilette for men, Pour Monsieur. This only expanded in 1981, with its new fragrance line, Antaeus. It also sells several women eau de toilette products, as well as perfumes for both genders.
Chanel sells its cosmetics in various department stores, such as David Jones, Galeries Lafayette, Hudson’s Bay, and Bergdorf Goodman. It even has its own beauty boutiques. Hydra Beauty, Le Lift, Blue Serum, and La Solution 10 de Chanel are some of the product lines. Cosmetics are considered the brand’s most affordable products.
Alternative Cruelty-Free Perfumes
Alternative Cruelty-Free Nail Polishes
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
