Is Smashbox Cruelty-free and Vegan?

Smashbox was founded in 1991 by Dean and Davis Factor, the great-grandsons of acclaimed Hollywood makeup artist Max Factor.

Smashbox began as a hub for world-class set photography, entertainment projects, and large-scale ad campaigns.

In 1996, the brothers launched Smashbox Cosmetics, and haven’t looked back since.

They’re now one of the most recognized makeup brands on the market right now, and they boomed into a new realm of popularity thanks to their #1 product, the Original Photo Finish Primer.

But for those who are new to the world of makeup or are simply on the hunt for more cruelty-free brands to spend their money on: is Smashbox cruelty-free?

In this article, we will cover whether or not Smashbox Cosmetics tests on animals, whether the ingredients they use are vegan-friendly, where they sell their products, and how ethical the company really is. 

Does Smashbox test on animals?

The short answer, fortunately, is no!

In order for a product to be considered genuinely cruelty-free, no part of the product can be tested on animals at any stage in production. 

However, a company can’t just claim they are cruelty-free without rigorous monitoring by certain organizations.

The only organizations that can currently certify whether or not a product is cruelty-free are PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Choose Cruelty-Free.

You’ve probably heard of these organizations before, but even if not, you’ll almost certainly be familiar with the small bunny logo, which is usually located on the side of cruelty-free product packaging.

Looking for this bunny logo is the easiest way to find out whether or not your cosmetic products are cruelty-free and vegan. 

So Is Smashbox Cruelty Free?

Yes, on this basis they are.

Is Smashbox PETA or Leaping Bunny Certified?

So, does Smashbox Cosmetics test on animals?

Well, in 2012, Smashbox made the controversial decision to remove the reassuring bunny logo from all of their cosmetic products.

This bred distrust and uncertainty among the beauty community and many people believe that this was due to the company beginning to test on animals.

However, Smashbox denies that this was ever the case and that they simply took a break from using the logo:

“Although nothing has changed and we stayed cruelty-free, we just weren’t using the bunny the way we had been a few years back. Smashbox began with a commitment to end animal testing, and that commitment remains today. Thank you for letting us clear this up!” - 2018

To this day, Smashbox remains a cruelty-free brand and is committed to its ethical founding principles under Estée Lauder’s ownership.

Because of this, Smashbox does not test on animals at any point during the process of making their products, nor do they hire any third parties to test on animals on their behalf.

This ethical approach to beauty makes Smashbox a leading example in the world of makeup that is taking huge steps in the right direction. 

So, if you’re looking for a dedicated cruelty-free cosmetics brand that doesn’t compromise on quality- Smashbox is the perfect guilt-free brand! Not only that, but their high-end makeup products have incredible formulas, too.

However, it’s important to remember that the term “cruelty-free” is unregulated, meaning that the line can be a little blurred.

If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of a cosmetic brand’s “cruelty-free” status, we encourage you to contact the brand directly to ask if they’re certified as cruelty-free by one of the specified organizations or simply look out for the bunny logo that we mentioned above. 

Is Smashbox sold in China?

No! As of 2021, Smashbox products are not sold in China— which is fantastic news.

This is a good thing because animal-testing is in fact required by law in China, so no cosmetic brands can sell their products there without them being tested on animals. 

Of course, this goes against everything that Smashbox and their umbrella company, Estée Lauder, believe in.

To combat this, from 2017 onwards, Smashbox ceased selling their cosmetic products in China, which frees the brand from any legal requirements pertaining to testing on animals. 

Is Smashbox Vegan?

Yes, Smashbox has Vegan products however not all their products are 100% vegan.

There's a full list of vegan products on their website. 

Is Smashbox ethical?

To determine whether or not a specific brand can be considered “ethical”, there are a few different factors you’ll need to take a look at.

However, it’s important to note that this will depend on personal beliefs and standpoints on these issues. 

For a cosmetic brand to be considered ethical, it should be cruelty-free and 100% vegan, which of course, Smashbox are. Another factor that makes a company more ethical is the absence of nasty artificial chemicals.

So, try to opt for companies that support organic agriculture which protects biodiversity. You can also consider whether or not your cosmetic products are Fairtrade.

As agricultural products used in cosmetics are often grown by overworked and underpaid laborers, look out for the Fairtrade logo to ensure that the growers who help to make your cosmetics are paid a fair amount for their work. 

Who Are Smashbox Owned By?

Smashbox are owned by Estee Lauder.

Both Smashbow and Estee Lauder Group as a whole are part of the Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI).

The RMI makes an effort towards moving children in poor villages from mica mining to schools, constructing schools, and improving facilities such as toilets, and providing clean drinking water. 

While it’s been a long road for Smashbox over the years, they’ve managed to stick to their word and ensure that their cosmetic products remain 100% cruelty-free and vegan.

It’s clear that Smashbox truly does care about their cruelty-free status, and we commend them for this.

This is probably one of the key reasons for its popularity and huge cult following, which just keeps growing. So if you’re looking for guilt-free makeup which doesn’t compromise on quality, Smashbox may just be the perfect brand for you!