Paula’s Choice is a US-based skincare brand known for their effective, research-based and fragrance-free formulas, but is Paula’s Choice cruelty-free and vegan?  

Is Paula’s Choice Cruelty-Free?

    Paula’s Choice has confirmed they do not test their products or ingredients on animals, they do not allow others to test on their behalf, their suppliers also do not test on animals, and their products are not sold in stores in mainland China or any other country that may require animal testing by law.   Below is what’s currently stated on Paula’s Choice’s website:   Paula’s Choice is included on our List of Cruelty-Free Brands.   You can find Paula’s Choice products at paulaschoice.com, Nordstrom, and on Amazon.   Below is what’s currently stated on Paula’s Choice’s website:    

Which of Paula’s Choice Products is Vegan?

  Some of Paula’s Choice’s products are suitable for vegans and do not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products. However, Paula’s Choice does use animal ingredients in some of their other products.   List of Animal or Animal-derived Ingredients Paula’s Choice Uses:  

• Acetyl glucosamine – from shellfish
• Animal-derived glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate – from beef tallow
• Beeswax
• Hydrolyzed Silk
• Lactoperoxidase – cow’s milk-derived enzyme
• Lanolin or cholesterol – derived from sheep’s wool
• Sea whip extract – from marine invertebrate
• Whey protein

 

Not Vegan – Paula’s Choice

  A list of Paula’s Choice non-vegan products can be found on their website. The following is a list of Paula’s Choice products that do contain at least one of the above animal-derived ingredients listed and are not suitable for vegans.  

• BHA 9 – not vegan
• CALM Redness Relief Moisturizer for Normal to Dry Skin – not vegan
• CALM Redness Relief SPF 30 Mineral Moisturizer for Normal to Oily Skin – not vegan
• CALM Repairing Serum – not vegan
• CALM Soothing Toner for normal to oily skin – not vegan
• DEFENSE Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser – not vegan
• HYDRALIGHT Moisture-Infusing Lotion – not vegan
• HYDRALIGHT Shine-Free Daily Mineral Complex SPF 30 – not vegan
• Lip & Body Treatment Balm – not vegan
• MOISTURE BOOST Hydrating Treatment Cream – not vegan
• Moisture Renewal Oil Booster – not vegan
• Peptide Booster – not vegan
• RESIST Advanced Replenishing Toner – not vegan
• RESIST Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator – not vegan
• RESIST Anti-Aging Eye Cream – not vegan
• RESIST Pure Radiance Skin Brightening Treatment – not vegan
• RESIST Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment – not vegan
• RESIST Triple Action Dark Spot Eraser 7% AHA Lotion – not vegan
• RESIST Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum – not vegan
• RESIST Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner – not vegan
• ·      SKIN BALANCING Oil-Absorbing Mask – not vegan

    This non-vegan product list is updated as frequently as possible, please be aware that formulations may have changed since the publication of this post. If you have new information to suggest one of the above products is now vegan, please email me at info@ethicalelephant.com to let me know.  

Is Paula’s Choice Ethical?

  Based in: US   Products made in: All finished goods are produced in the US.   Sustainability & Environmental Initiatives: Paula’s Choice claims they plant trees to offset carbon emissions from all employee air travel, they subsidize public transportation for their employees, their office is in a LEED-certified building, and they compost and have eliminated single-use plastics in their office.   Eco-Friendly Packaging Initiatives: Paula’s Choice has a recycling program with TerraCycle where you can send in your empty bottles to be recycled. All of their shipping materials are also recyclable. In addition, Paula’s Choice states “We’ve eliminated all outer cartons except where needed for regulatory reasons or to protect the product inside. […] We’re working to significantly reduce our use of plastic.”   Giving Back Initiatives: Paula’s Choice supports many charities focused on animal welfare such as the Humane Society, ASPCA and NAVS.   Ingredients and Formulations Claims: Paula’s Choice is known for their fragrance-free formulas but they also avoid: 1,4 Dioxane, Abrasive Particles, Alcohol, Aluminum Powder, Essential Oils, Formaldehyde or Formaldehyde-Releasing Ingredients, Fragrant Plant Extracts, Nanoparticles, Phthalates, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Synthetic Dyes, Synthetic Fragrances, Talc, and Toluene.   In addition, Paula’s Choice claims they “strive to ensure they aren’t using ingredients derived from threatened plant species.”