MAC is not cruelty-free. Sadly, MAC is not a cruelty-free brand. MAC lost their cruelty-free status when they started testing on animals in 2012. Logical Harmony broke the news and it was a shock to many to learn that MAC is not cruelty-free. Are MAC products sold in China? Answer (1 of 2): Are MAC cosmetics vegan and cruelty free? According to Google (you should have done this your self.) For a long time, one of the most well-known cruelty-free brands has been MAC Cosmetics. MAC is NOT certified cruelty-free by either Leaping Bunny or PETA. Their products are tested on animals and sold in countries where animal testing is required by law. What About Animal-Derived Ingredients?

Last Updated on 07/05/2021

MAC Cosmetics needs no introduction. A well known name in the contemporary cosmetics world. Beauty enthusiasts have MAC in their kitty or bucket list! Today, let’s have a look at MAC’s cruelty-free status!

This Canada based makeup brand has now spread its wings all around the globe. MAC’s Ruby Woo is ‘the’ lipstick for all red lip lovers for a couple of decades now. You can’t ‘un-see’ the mesmerizing effects of Studio Fix Powder Compact, Fluid Foundation or Fix+ as well.

However, MAC has been criticized time and again for its shady cruelty policies. Should you buy a MAC product as a cruelty-free supporter or leave it for good? These are the facts to consider.

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Is MAC Cosmetics Cruelty Free? Is it Vegan?

MAC – Past & Present

1984 –Makeup Art Cosmetics Inc is popularly known as MAC Cosmetics. It was founded in 1984 by two photographers turned makeup artists. They’re Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo.

This Toronto based makeup brand wanted to fill up the ridge. This gap existed between long stay and photo-friendly makeup.

Initially, MAC was popular among focused audience of fashion & makeup world. Within a few years, its popularity reached to mass beauty users.

The brand started its journey with lip colors. Later, they ventured into face makeup.

1994 –In 1994, beauty giant Estee Lauder bought major stakes of this brand.

1998 – In 1998, there was a demise of one of the founder member. As a result, Estee Lauder became the sole owner of MAC.

MAC holds its position among top 3 makeup brands in world ranking. MAC has collaborated with several huge artists. For instance, Sia, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, & Elle Goulding.

What MAC Says about their Cruelty Free Outlook?

Here’s something interesting from MAC’s official website. It is under the tag of ‘Working Toward a Cruelty-free World”.

“M·A·C does not test on animals. We do not own any animal testing facilities and we never ask others to test on animals for us. While some governments conduct animal testing to prove safety before they will allow us to sell our products, M·A·C has never tested on animals and we continue to be a leader in the movement to end animal testing globally. To this end, we are proud to partner with IIVS (INSTITUTE FOR IN VITRO SCIENCES) to expand the use and acceptance of non-animal testing methods worldwide.”

This is the same old ambiguous statement. You can find it in every subsidiary of non-cruelty free Estee Lauder conglomerate.

The statement tries to convince you how animal-friendly MAC’s policies are. Sadly, the mention of exception breaks all the illusions MAC was trying to create.

Moreover, they do not share clear data about their ingredient testing policy. The above statement does not confirm how the suppliers treat the product ingredients.

PS: In cosmetic industry, animal testing is majorly performed at the ingredients level, not in the complete product level. Here is a detailed Cruelty Free Guide.

Cruelty free timeline

MAC used to be a biggest promoter of cruelty-free in cosmetic industry. They used to promote their products as ‘tested on models not on animals’.

But then the merger of MAC with Estee Lauder occured. (tragic!) As a result, this brought a huge change in their original policies.

Hence, MAC broke all their ethics promises towards their loyal cruelty-free consumers. And guess what?

2005 –MAC got launched in China in 2005.

They even brought changes in their testing policy. All done to entertain the mandatory animal testing practices by Chinese government.

2012 – In 2012, it was disclosed that MAC runs animal testing on their own. This news created lots of buzz among the users and beauty community.

There were urges and protests by various animal welfare organisations. For example, PETA’s youth chapter. However, MAC did not budge. No changes in any of its policies.

Is MAC Cruelty Free?

No. Nope. Nada. Nah. MAC is not a cruelty-free brand.

In fact, MAC’s parent brand is also an animal cruelty brand.

2005 – MAC used to be a cruelty free brand until 2005. In 2005 MAC started selling their products in mainland China.

Currently, they are in compliance to Chinese policies. Accordingly, all imported products have to go through mandatory animal testing step. This is the cosmetic product safety guideline over there.

2012 – MAC chose monetary gain over customer loyalty & animal welfare. Additionally, they started animal testing on their own since 2012.

Till this date, MAC funds the Chinese government to run cruelty test on their products.

Is MAC manufactured in China?

Not known. Majority of MAC’s color products are manufactured in US and Canada. Not adequate information is available to tell if MAC makes products in mainland China or not.

Is MAC currently being sold in China?

Yes. MAC has several standalone stores in China. Also, they sell their products through their own China website & Sephora.

Is Maybelline Cruelty Free

MAC products are widely available both online and offline in mainland China. In fact, China is currently one of the major consumers of MAC.

Is Mac Makeup Cruelty Free

Is it vegan?

No. MAC products are definitely not vegan.

MAC uses animal derived ingredients like carmine and beeswax to make their world famous makeup range.

Do we recommend MAC?

Not at all.

Sorry folks! We can’t recommend a shady brand like MAC.

MAC is neither cruelty free nor vegan. They aren’t even clean & green. Just like many other non-cruelty free brands MAC tries fool customers. They market their products as ‘never tested’ on animals.

Is Mac Makeup Cruelty Free

On contrary, they allow and obviously ‘pay’ governing bodies to perform animal testing on their products.

PETA has even included MAC in their ‘brands to avoid’ list for this contrasting duality.

Alternatives to 5 Highly Recommended Products from MAC

Here are some cruelty free dupes of MAC.

1. MAC Retro Matte Lipstick Ruby Woo

You saw this one coming. Obviously! This is one of the bestseller worldwide. A beautiful red lipstick with ultra matte finish. This blue toned red color never goes wrong with anyone. Perhaps the reason why so many celebrities swear by it?

The best cruelty free dupe of Ruby Woo is Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in Creeper. Affordable & cruelty free, give me one please! (I am on a lookout for a better dupe though!)

2. MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer is another star product from MAC. The wide shade range, blendable formula and superb staying power are some USP. Covergirl TrueBlend Concealer is the best cruelty free dupe of this amazing concealer. Find the list of the best cruelty free concealer here.

3. MAC Prep+Prime Fix+

Fix+ is MAC’s all in one prep+set product. This watery liquid is originally a fixing spray but it doubles up as primer water. You can even use it as a base for eye shadows and shimmers. NYX Dewy Setting Spray is a good dupe for this.

4. MAC Eyeshadow

Rich pigment, color variety & lasting power makes MAC Eye Shadows superior. You can get dupes of the cult favorite shades from this range (Carbon, Amber lights, etc.) in Colourpop cruelty-free eyeshadow collection.

5. MAC Soft & Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish

One of the favorite strobe highlighter for many. ELF Baked Blush is an awesome substitute that comes with the same healthy glow and flawless finish.

PS:Before you go, do share any MAC dupes you’re found of in the comments below!

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Is MAC Cosmetics cruelty-free?

One of the brands that people ask me about the most is MAC. They ask, is MAC Cosmetics cruelty-free? The answer is no. However, if you look at the information that MAC presents on their website, it is very misleading. Most people would think that MAC is cruelty-free.

MAC Cosmetics is not cruelty-free.

Allow me to explain to you why MAC Cosmetics is not cruelty-free.

As you can see, MAC claims they don’t own any animal testing facilities and they don’t ask others to test for them. This claim is false, because MAC is selling in China. MAC relies on the Chinese government to test their products so that they can be sold in the Chinese market.

MAC’s claim about ‘we love our fans and never want to exclude them anywhere’ is a bullshit claim because they’re trying to shift the focus of China off of the Chinese Government and onto your average Chinese citizen. This is not the fault of the Chinese people and they should not be demonized, which is what I’ve seen people do online.

The reason there is still animal testing in China is that the government allows it and has not decided that the other methods of testing are viable. The Chinese government is trying to keep their citizens safe.

MAC can claim that they don’t own any testing facilities, and they may not, but by choosing to continue to sell in China, they are continuing to have their products tested on animals.

Is MAC PETA Certified?

No, MAC isn’t PETA certified. While I don’t consider PETA’s cruelty-free logo to hold much weight, even PETA doesn’t believe the bullshit that MAC is serving.

Is MAC Leaping Bunny Certified?

Leaping Bunny is the gold standard for cruelty-free. MAC is not Leaping Bunny certified. MAC would have to prove that they are not testing on animals anywhere in the world to be Leaping Bunny certified and MAC can’t do that right now.

Why do you care about MAC?

MAC Cosmetics selling in China was the catalyst for me to go cruelty-free in 2012 (see my handwritten letter to MAC). Many bloggers who went cruelty-free around the time I did, immediately stopped because they didn’t want to lose MAC as a PR contact.

Ray, my husband, introduced me to MAC in 1999 and I fell in love with the brand and makeup. Ultimately, MAC Cosmetics is indirectly partially responsible for me starting a blog. I do long for the day when MAC is cruelty-free again, because they were the first makeup brand I fell in love with.

I hope that someday MAC decides it cares about animals again and stops testing on animals. It makes me sad that they try to just place the blame on China, when it’s clearly a decision they made to sell in China.

What Can I Do?

If you are someone who loves MAC Cosmetics, reach out to them and ask them to get Leaping Bunny certification! Ask them to stop selling in China. Or ask them to sell in China the way Nudestix does (with their own local factory) so that they are exempt from animal testing. There are different options that MAC could choose to implement.