Against Animal Testing – A conscious effort, A subconscious impact

During my growing up years, I frequently heard this phrase “against animal testing”. It was popularized such that whenever this phrase pops up, a particular shop’s name would pop up in my mind.

However, I’ve only recently understood what this phrase really means after coming across an article that made me more conscious of the products I use in my daily life.

So, what does it really mean when someone claims that they are against animal testing?

To me, this means that the particular person does not support brands that test their products on animals. It may be due to their personal belief in animal ethics, or just the fact that the person cannot bear the suffering of animals.

Being a vegan, I personally do not believe in and cannot justify for why must beauty products be tested on animals first before they are deemed suitable for human use. Many times, the failure rate of such products are so high that many animals have to suffer and die for products that do not even make it to the market.

It is my self-belief that based on the long history of human records; there is no need to resort to animal testing as since many thousand years ago, humans have recorded the medicinal properties of plants in which Mother Nature has provided for us. If it has proven helpful for our ancestors, what need is there to resort to “new” products that may not have shown medicinal benefits?

As such, I specially keep a look out for products that are 100% cruelty-free. Due to the marketing strategies of certain companies, I have realized that although some companies claim that their products are not tested on animals, the ingredients which go into the products are tested on animals.

This means that while the final product is not tested on animals, but the ingredients which went into the making of the product are tested on animals!!

It was really a shocking discovery for me.

Hence, while I claim that I am a vegan, I realized that some of the products (or ingredients that go into making of these products) I am using are tested on animals.  😦

Let me share with you my discovery.

According to the article, consumers (like me) don’t really spend a lot of time to consider what really goes into the production of a product whenever we pick up a product while shopping, be it cosmetics or household products.

What we care about mainly is whether the product is safe to use and especially, does it work the way we want it to work.

While we may know that animal testing is cruel towards the animal, some claim that it is nevertheless essential for ensuring our safety. Others, like me, are of the opposite opinion.

Awareness for such products that are tested on animals is still important, regardless of our personal opinions.

1.       Tissue Paper

It is something that is well-utilized in our daily lives. Without it, we may not be able to function as a society. We use it for our sniffles, cleaning up a stain/spill etc… and not forgetting the uniquely Singaporean use of the handy tissue packets for reserving a seat in Singapore.

It is good to be aware that much research has gone behind the scenes to ensure that the tissue, in which you just used to sneeze into or wipe your mouth, is tested on animals.

2.       Post-it notes

Whether one is studying or working, these handy notes that come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors are also tested on animals.

How so? By testing the adhesive component on the animal’s skin, to ensure that it is safe.

3.       Lotions/skin products

Cracked lips? Or heading to a cold country and require a lip balm/skin lotion/petroleum jelly to ensure that your skin does not succumb the weather and crack due to lack of moisture?

Although it may bring relief to your skin, it may not sound that great to the animals’ skin on which the product was tested.

Before reaching your skin, many animals have to suffer the agony of the harmful effects before it is deemed safe for public sale.

If you are interested, you can refer to the article here.

Thus, I am even more convinced that I only want to support a company whose products, including all the ingredients used in it, are not tested on animals.

While I may seem to be a small consumer, with small spending power, I still believe that my conscious effort of supporting a product that is against animal testing, will lead to a subconscious impact in the long run.

Thus, LUSH is a company that really believes in ethical sourcing. The raw ingredients which go into their products are all sourced in an ethical and sustainable manner, where the LUSH team will specially go the extra mile to ensure this.

I consider myself fortunate as I have been an ardent user of LUSH products since 2005.

Initially, it was the fun-loving concept of the brand that embarked me on the LUSH journey. Over the years however, I realized that LUSH is more than just fun. It was LUSH’s vision and belief.

Fresh fruits and vegetables go into the making of LUSH products. Every single LUSH product is lovingly hand-made with little or no preservatives. Also, all of LUSH’s products are never tested on animals, only humans.

That is why LUSH is a healthier lifestyle alternative. 🙂

Being an employee of LUSH, I recently received a LUSH staff product box containing some delicious goodies. It is specially for employees to try out the latest products so that we can recommend them to our family/friends/customers with our personal testimonial.

1. Dream Steam steamer tab
2. Moon & Sun steamer tab
3. Phoenix Rising bath bomb
4. Rose Queen bath bomb
5. Peace massage bar
6. Friends with Benefits massage bar
7. Dirty soap (vegan)
8. Lust soap (vegan)
9. Chou Chou I Love You toothy tabs
10. Green Bubbleroon
11. Rose Jam Bubbleroon (2 pieces available)
12. Yuzu and Cocoa Bubbleroon
13. Lustre dusting powder (Vegan)
14. Love miniature gorilla perfume (Vegan)
15. 1000 Kisses miniature gorilla perfume (Vegan)
16. Ginger miniature gorilla perfume (Vegan)
17. Latte Lip tint (Vegan)
18. Putty for your hands soap (Vegan)
19. No Drought dry shampoo (Vegan)
20. Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner (Vegan)

Unfortunately for me…since the majority of the products in the LUSH staff product box are vegetarian, I am thinking of spreading the love around by sharing with you, my loyal readers! However, for the vegan products (#13-#20), I will be keeping them for myself and shall be posting a review.

And… just for my vegan friends, LUSH Singapore will be sponsoring a Sugar Scrub Shower Scrub – HOORAY! I personally love and am using this scrub which is detoxifying and combats cellulite. 🙂

I will be holding a random lucky draw to pick the individual winners for LUSH products #1 to #12 and Sugar Scrub Shower Scrub. So, to be able to get a hold of these 10 products, simply complete both steps below:

1. Subscribe to SGVegan with your email address at the top right of the page AND
2. Leave a comment below with the name of the LUSH product that you wish to win.

*Note: One entry, one choice per person allowed. Any incomplete or multiple entries/choices shall be deem void. Closing date is 30^th April 2012, 2359hrs. Prizes are to be picked up at Lush Singapore, located at 435 Orchard Road Wisma Atria Outlet # B1-13. All winners will be contacted via email and must respond within 3 days, otherwise prizes will be forfeited. 

So what are you waiting for? 😉