The Body Shop Achieves Milestone as First Global Vegan Beauty Brand
The Body Shop has proudly become the world's inaugural global beauty brand to achieve full vegan status. Every product is now certified by the Vegan Society, marking a significant step in the cosmetics industry.
Long-standing Advocacy Against Animal Testing
The beauty retailer has been a vocal advocate against animal testing for cosmetic products, and it previously offered a range of vegan items. In 2021, when 60% of its products were already vegan, The Body Shop set a goal to achieve 100% vegan status by 2023.
Leading the Transition to Vegan Beauty
While several vegan beauty brands exist, The Body Shop stands out as the first major international cosmetics company to exclusively produce vegan products. With approximately 3,000 stores in over 65 countries, it is among the most recognized beauty brands globally.
CEO Celebrates Success
Ian Bickley, CEO of The Body Shop, expressed jubilation, stating, "We did it!" Acknowledging the global importance of vegan beauty, Bickley highlighted the company's dedicated efforts to reach this milestone.
Vegan Certification Process
The Vegan Society meticulously reviewed over 4,000 ingredients, certifying more than 1,000 Body Shop products as vegan. The company collaborated extensively with The Vegan Society to eliminate any animal products, by-products, or derivatives from its ranges.
Transformation of Formulas
Previously, honey, beeswax, shellac, and lanolin were common animal-derived ingredients in The Body Shop's non-vegan products. The company successfully substituted these with plant-derived alternatives, ensuring adherence to vegan principles.
A Call for a Cruelty-Free Beauty Industry
Bruno de Oliveira, Global Head of Research and Innovation at The Body Shop, emphasized a vision for a worldwide cruelty-free beauty industry. He hoped that other beauty companies would follow suit in adopting vegan formulas.
Understanding Animal-Derived Ingredients
The article delves into common animal-derived ingredients in cosmetics, such as beeswax, honey, lanolin, shellac, glycerine, squalene, and stearic acid. It highlights that plant-based alternatives for these ingredients are available, contributing to a cruelty-free beauty industry.
The Body Shop's Ongoing Campaign Against Animal Testing
The Body Shop initiated its campaign against animal testing in 1989, leading to the UK's ban on the practice in 1998. However, recent revelations in May 2023 indicated that the UK government allowed animal testing for certain cosmetic ingredients to align with European Union regulations.
Looking Ahead
Despite challenges, The Body Shop remains committed to advocating for cruelty-free practices in the cosmetics industry, echoing the vision set by its founder, Dame Anita Roddick, since the company's inception in 1976.
In achieving 100% vegan status, The Body Shop not only celebrates a significant accomplishment but also sets a precedent for the beauty industry's future, encouraging a shift toward ethical and sustainable practices.
