Clarins

Is Clarins an ethical brand of skincare?

Clarins, a skincare and sun protection brand owned by the Clarins Group, is one of the brands independently researched by The Good Shopping Guide. The brand receives a poor Good Shopping Guide score in our Ethical Skincare Ratings Table and therefore does not meet our ethical benchmark.

We encourage other companies in the Skincare sector to push for change and consider the welfare, and the sustainable and ethical treatment of the Environment, Animals, and People.

Is Clarins Cruelty-Free?

There is no publicly available, in-depth Animal Testing Policy from Clarins. In fact, the business is listed on PETA’s list of those that DO test on animals, which is consistent with information found on other websites such as Ethical Elephant and Cruelty Free Kitty. These multiple sources corroborate our score for Clarins in our Animal Welfare criterion.

Clarins has published a statement claiming that “Clarins does not test on animals. Clarins Research uses alternate testing methods and the latest advances in non-animal safety testing to ensure product excellence. Some countries where Clarins is sold require animal testing on all imported cosmetics as part of their regulatory safety process.”

Is Clarins vegan?

Clarins have recently brought out a My Clarins range. This range is targeted at “millenials” who are “a target audience concerned about the planet and animal welfare”. Unfortunately, Clarins have chosen not to become accredited with an independent, unbiased authority, such as The Vegan Society or Vegan Action. Instead, the My Clarins range is marked with a Clarins’ own ‘Vegan Friendly’ label.

Because this is not a widely-used and authoritative certification, The Good Shopping Guide does not accept this label as a satisfactory Vegan accreditation.

Is Clarins a sustainable brand?

The “Responsible Beauty” page from Clarins lists numerous environmental objectives for 2025, including 80% of all ingredients being made organically, and a 30% reduction in carbon emissions.

How could Clarins become Ethically Accredited with The Good Shopping Guide?

Clarins has some way to go before it could apply for Ethical Accreditation with The Good Shopping Guide. In order to achieve this, Clarins could stop its (or its third-party) animal testing for products sold in China. The brand should also seek accreditation from an independent Vegan body.