I just received some unsettling news from Leaping Bunny. Apparently they have confirmed that Dermalogica is selling product through a distribution network in China, a country that requires animal testing. Dermalogica says they were unaware and they are taking steps to withdraw from the Chinese market. I really hope this is true. Either way, they are taking steps to rectify the situation. I’m not sure how long this will take. I’ll update you if I hear more information.
Here are statements from both parties:
PHILADELPHIA—The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), which operates the Leaping Bunny Program in the U.S. and Canada, regrets to inform compassionate consumers who look for the Leaping Bunny Logo that skin care company Dermalogica is no longer certified as cruelty-free. Following up on reports, CCIC investigated and concluded that Dermalogica has had products approved for sale in The People’s Republic of China (China), which undoubtedly makes the company a party to animal testing.
“It is unfortunate that a company like Dermalogica, which has been on our list for several years, is implicated in cruel and unnecessary animal testing—just to sell in China,” said CCIC Chair Sue Leary. “It seems that they were monitoring their supply chain to guard against animal testing, but not their distribution system.”
“Companies need to understand: it’s your brand; it’s your responsibility,” Leary continued. “Dermalogica profited from sales in China and so they are accountable. That is the heart of the Leaping Bunny Standard.”
It has become known industry-wide that companies selling cosmetic and personal care products in China are required under new, specific guidelines to test (or be a party to testing of) finished cosmetic products and/or ingredients on animals. These requirements have caused other companies such as Mary Kay, to be removed from the Leaping Bunny list due to similar concerns.
Now that the animal testing has been revealed, the company says it will try to rectify the situation, although it may take some time. “Dermalogica does not condone animal testing and is in the process of actively withdrawing our product registrations and undertaking the necessary actions to suspend our distribution to the Chinese market,” according to Dermalogica’s CEO Daniel Ginsberg.
“I don’t doubt that Dermalogica regrets animal testing conducted in its name. But the fact is that consumers rely on us to let them know which companies are cruelty-free, and Dermalogica can no longer be considered in that category,” stated Vicki Katrinak, CCIC Administrator.
Dermalogica public statement:
Dermalogica does not, and has never, engaged in animal testing. We go to great efforts to ensure that our supply chain and ingredient suppliers uphold our values. We have recently become aware that the Chinese government now requires animal testing of cosmetic products as part of their product import registration process. Dermalogica does not condone animal testing, and is in the process of actively withdrawing our product registrations and undertaking the necessary actions to suspend our distribution to the Chinese market. We urge the Chinese government to consider non-animal, humane forms of safety testing.
Great work, Jen!!!
I’m glad to read Dermalogica’s public statement and I’m glad that they’re taking action to fix the problem.
I’m glad to read Dermalotica’s press release, but I still don’t get it how they can have “missed” this detail regarding animal testing in China? I thought most people (and certainly most companies) knew about that by now?
Hope they withdraw though, it’s a solid brand.. 🙁
I read about this last evening and my heart was heavy. I’m very happy to hear that Dermalogica is taking steps to rectify this issue, as I have been a religious Dermalogica user for over a decade now.
I actually contacted them about this several times a few months ago and never got a convincing answer, just that they were opposed to animal testing. I thought it was pretty strange during the whole Urban Decay thing that their website was pretty straightforward about selling in China.
I have been a dermalogica stockist for 16 years, and one of the reasons being there leaping bunny standards. I will have to seriously consider my Salons reputation if the problem takes to long to rectify. I hope it doesn’t end up being another
“we won’t sell dermalogica on the Internet ” sort of a promise.