Making up for testing cosmetics on animals
Make-up. It seems like women can't live without it and I myself am a product of this consumer society. I too see ads displaying the perfect make-up, paired with the perfect face and wonder if I buy that make-up, will I look like that?
Behind the seemingly “perfect” and beautiful women, there is a darkness waiting to be unfolded. Set aside the catchy logos, like “Because you're worth it,” because if you knew more about the reality of make-up and its cruel components, is it not really worth it.
Is a plumping of lip-gloss or line smoothing foundation worth the lives of rabbits, guinea pigs, cats or even baboons?
The practice of cosmetic animal testing has been part of make-up development since 1927. In 1933 it was determined mandatory as part of make-up production and development, after a woman went blind after using Lush Lash mascara, the mascara contained fatal chemicals, because not long after the woman's attempt at perfecting her eyelashes, she died. This story is absolutely horrifying and I'm sure anyone could understand why animal testing was so imperative after such a situation, but 80 years have passed. Don't you think after decades of experimentation with production and development of cosmetics, scientists would be aware of what chemicals and products are and are not compatible with humans? Is it really nessecary to continue on with the torture of innocent animals, who we, quite often, make household pets?
Several activist groups say animal testing is not necessary. Not only that, it is no longer a legally mandatory process in order for the cosmetics to pass inspection. All a cosmetic company really has to do is prove their product is safe, and there are several other ways of doing this, which do not involve the torture of animals. Such processes include referring to the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association to find out what products are safe and functional for make-up. As well, cell and tissue cultures can be done. Even more technologically advanced tests can be done with the use of computers and mathematical models.
So why do companies still use the very outdated process of animal testing? Money. Money is simply the most obvious answer. Animal testing is cheaper than any other type of testing and, unfortunately for customers, not nearly as reliable, because we biologically differ so much from animals. For example, while morphine calms humans, it excites felines. Aspirin is a common household medicine for humans, but poisonous to cats. Penicillin raises the blood pressure of dogs, kills guinea pigs and hamsters, but for humans, the drug is simply an antibiotic used to treat infections. If animals react so differently to those products and chemicals, then how could this type of testing still be so popular when other, more reliable options exist?
The good news is you can help boycott animal testing by purchasing cosmetics by companies that do not test on animals. Not only are you protecting the lives of innocent animals, but you are potentially saving yourself the hassle of purchasing make-up that has not been tested in a reliable and fail-safe manner. Non-animal testing companies include The Body Shop, Mary Kay and Revlon, just to name a few. The safest skin products are made with natural ingredients, which can also be found at the Body Shop. To find out about more companies that are animal-friendly and to find out whether your favourite cosmetics brand uses this unethical treatment, log onto www.leapingbunny.org.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Behind the seemingly “perfect” and beautiful women, there is a darkness waiting to be unfolded. Set aside the catchy logos, like “Because you're worth it,” because if you knew more about the reality of make-up and its cruel components, is it not really worth it.
Is a plumping of lip-gloss or line smoothing foundation worth the lives of rabbits, guinea pigs, cats or even baboons?
The practice of cosmetic animal testing has been part of make-up development since 1927. In 1933 it was determined mandatory as part of make-up production and development, after a woman went blind after using Lush Lash mascara, the mascara contained fatal chemicals, because not long after the woman's attempt at perfecting her eyelashes, she died. This story is absolutely horrifying and I'm sure anyone could understand why animal testing was so imperative after such a situation, but 80 years have passed. Don't you think after decades of experimentation with production and development of cosmetics, scientists would be aware of what chemicals and products are and are not compatible with humans? Is it really nessecary to continue on with the torture of innocent animals, who we, quite often, make household pets?
Several activist groups say animal testing is not necessary. Not only that, it is no longer a legally mandatory process in order for the cosmetics to pass inspection. All a cosmetic company really has to do is prove their product is safe, and there are several other ways of doing this, which do not involve the torture of animals. Such processes include referring to the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association to find out what products are safe and functional for make-up. As well, cell and tissue cultures can be done. Even more technologically advanced tests can be done with the use of computers and mathematical models.
So why do companies still use the very outdated process of animal testing? Money. Money is simply the most obvious answer. Animal testing is cheaper than any other type of testing and, unfortunately for customers, not nearly as reliable, because we biologically differ so much from animals. For example, while morphine calms humans, it excites felines. Aspirin is a common household medicine for humans, but poisonous to cats. Penicillin raises the blood pressure of dogs, kills guinea pigs and hamsters, but for humans, the drug is simply an antibiotic used to treat infections. If animals react so differently to those products and chemicals, then how could this type of testing still be so popular when other, more reliable options exist?
The good news is you can help boycott animal testing by purchasing cosmetics by companies that do not test on animals. Not only are you protecting the lives of innocent animals, but you are potentially saving yourself the hassle of purchasing make-up that has not been tested in a reliable and fail-safe manner. Non-animal testing companies include The Body Shop, Mary Kay and Revlon, just to name a few. The safest skin products are made with natural ingredients, which can also be found at the Body Shop. To find out about more companies that are animal-friendly and to find out whether your favourite cosmetics brand uses this unethical treatment, log onto www.leapingbunny.org.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
