The Body Shop has long been known for its ethical, cruelty-free stance on beauty. Since 1989, the brand has been campaigning against animal testing in cosmetics, with a belief that customers shouldn’t have to compromise on morals to bag their favourite beauty products. And on 3 January 2024, The Body Shop also announced it has become the first global beauty brand to sell 100 percent vegan products.
The retailer set itself the target back in 2021, when 60 percent of its products were certified vegan, and just over two years later has achieved its impressive goal with every product formulation across skin care, body care, hair care, makeup, and fragrance approved by the Vegan Society.
This milestone moment comes as the desire for vegan products is forecast to grow, with 11 percent of 18-24 year-olds stating that vegan products are important in their beauty and health purchase decisions, according to a YouGov sample. However, it’s not always easy to spot which products are vegan as many ingredients can include animal byproducts. And we all know beauty labels are a world of confusion. That’s why The Body Shop obtaining independent certification from the Vegan Society is a big deal; it means you can trust that all products have been meticulously evaluated.
“We know that vegan beauty matters to millions of people around the world and we’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this huge milestone,” Ian Bickley, CEO of The Body Shop says. “We were the first beauty company to fight against animal testing in cosmetics. We were the first major global beauty brand to use cruelty-free musk in our fragrances. We have now achieved another global first.”
In order to achieve 100 percent vegan status, over 4,000 ingredients had to be thoroughly assessed, with every supplier and manufacturer analysed. The Vegan Society is the global gold standard across multiple industries, and marks a huge moment for the beauty industry.
As more and more brands strive for more ethical and sustainable business models, The Body Shop has become the trailblazer in its field. The B-Corp certified brand already has a number of accolades under its belt, with its recycle-and-refill scheme and Community Fair Trade initiatives, so this next step is an obvious choice for the retailer. The Body Shop is also Leaping Bunny approved, alongside the likes of Rimmel London and Charlotte Tilbury, meaning it is cruelty-free. Although, it is worth noting that cruelty-free does not always mean vegan, and vice versa, which is why certification stamps are so important when it comes to our buying decisions.
The Body Shop’s sustainable and ethical status is surely an example of where the beauty industry is headed. Here’s hoping more brands realise the desire for quality products with principles.
