Burt's Bees cruelty-free: What it really means and which brands truly match

When you see Burt's Bees cruelty-free, a beauty brand that markets itself as natural and ethical. Also known as cruelty-free skincare, it means the company doesn't test its products on animals — at least, that's what the label says. But here’s the catch: Burt's Bees is owned by Clorox, a corporation that sells products in countries like China, where animal testing is required by law for imported cosmetics. That doesn’t make Burt's Bees itself test on animals, but it means your purchase supports a parent company that allows it under certain conditions. So is it truly cruelty-free? It depends on how strict your standards are.

True cruelty-free cosmetics, products that are never tested on animals at any stage of development, anywhere in the world. Also known as leaping bunny certified, these brands avoid all markets that force animal testing — even if it means giving up sales in China. Brands like Lush, The Body Shop, and Pacifica meet this stricter standard. They don’t just avoid testing — they refuse to sell where it’s mandatory. That’s why many people who care about animal rights choose them over Burt's Bees, even if the latter looks more natural on the shelf. Then there’s vegan skincare, products that contain no animal ingredients at all, like honey, beeswax, or lanolin. Also known as plant-based beauty, it’s not the same as cruelty-free. Burt's Bees uses beeswax and honey, so while it doesn’t test on animals in its own labs, it’s not vegan. If you’re avoiding animal-derived ingredients, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

What you’re really looking for is transparency. Companies that are fully committed to ethics don’t hide behind parent company loopholes. They get certified by groups like Leaping Bunny or PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program. These certifications require full supply chain audits — not just a statement on their website. You can’t trust a label that says "no animal testing" if the company won’t prove it. And you shouldn’t trust a brand that uses the word "natural" to distract you from ethical gray areas.

Below, you’ll find real breakdowns of what cruelty-free actually means in 2025, how big brands play the system, and which products you can buy with full confidence. We’ll cover the truth behind L’Oréal’s claims, why some "natural" brands still test on animals indirectly, and which small companies are doing it right. No fluff. Just what you need to know before you spend your money.