Sebamed, or Sebapharma GmbH & Co, is a German medicinal skincare brand founded by a dermatologist Heinz Maurer in 1957. Maurer established the company after working with patients suffering from acute eczema. He wanted to create a soap-free cleansing product that can be suitable for people with severe skin conditions.
In 2010, Maurer was awarded the Order of Merit of Rhineland-Palatinate for the achievements of his company and products. He also won the “Bene merenti” medal from the University of Regensburg.
Today, Sebamed is sold in over 80 countries all around the world and has several hundreds of employers. Its products have been included in more than 150 various studies that had a goal to support the brand’s formulations.
Is Sebamed Cruelty-Free?
| Not sold in China? | No |
| PETA Certified | No |
| Leaping Bunny Certified | No |
| Has vegan products | Yes(*) |
| Not owned by a Parent Company that does Animal Testing? | No |
Sebamed is not cruelty-free.
Sebamed doesn’t test its finished products on animals. At the same time, none of its ingredients and formulations are tested on animals. However, Sebamed does pay a third-party to test on its behalf when required by law. Also, there is no clear statement about its suppliers.
In 2014, Sebamed got the Leaping Bunny label but lost it when it decided to expand its market to the countries that require animal testing. It is important to note that the brand never openly claimed to be cruelty-free and has always been quite open about the manufacturing process of its products.
If you love Sebamed’s products but can’t support a brand that isn’t cruelty-free. In that case, you can always contact the company and politely ask its representatives to reconsider the brand’s cruelty-free policy. Just remember to keep the conversation respectful, as hate speech never accomplished anything.
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Are Sebamed products sold in China?
Yes, Sebamed 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 Sebamed Vegan?
Sebamed isn’t a 100% vegan brand, but most of its products are vegan. Some items do, however, contain animal-derived ingredients, such as beeswax or hydrolyzed silk. This silk is derived from silkworm cocoons, so it is not vegan. Another non-vegan ingredient that some of its products use is hydrolyzed keratin, derived from sheep.
At the same time, a lot of Sebamed’s products are natural, but the brand itself isn’t organic.
What products does Sebamed sell?
Sebamed’s products have been recognized by pharmacists and dermatologists worldwide. At the same time, it has massive support from consumers worldwide. Some of its product ranges include Clear Face, Classic, Baby Sebamed, Anti-Dry, Anti-Aging, Sun Care and Visio. Most of its products have a pH level of 5.5, which is the ideal pH level for human skin.
Sebamed is known as a mild brand for people with sensitive skin and face. None of its products contain soap, which can cause dry skin and worsen many skin conditions.
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