Is NYX Cruelty-Free?

December 10, 2022
nyx cruelty-free product

Caring about what your products are made of and where they come from is important for saving the earth. 

One way you can do this is by checking whether your favorite cosmetics brand is cruelty-free.

With this in mind, NYX cosmetics is a high-ranking cosmetics brand. Everyone loves their products because of their rich pigments and long-lasting formula. 

Though, the real question is — Is NYX cruelty-free?

Let’s find out.

Does NYX Test Products on Animals?

You guessed it:no, they don’t.

The NYX professional makeup public relations website defines “cruelty-free” as:

“Products (and their ingredients) which are not tested on animals.”

They don’t test on animals. 

NYX is cruelty-free, and they believe “animals belong in our arms not in a lab.” 

Is Animal Testing Required by Law in the USA?

No, it’s not.

The Food and Drug Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission doesn’t need animal testing for cosmetics. 

Is a Cruelty-Free Label a Guarantee?

Unfortunately, no. According to experts, simply labeling a product “cruelty-free” doesn’t mean it’s true. 

Similarly, it’s important to look beyond a company’s words. 

You need to know whether NYX is truly committed to producing cruelty-free cosmetics. One way to do this is by looking at its certifications.

Does NYX Have Any Cruelty-Free Certifications?

Statistics show that 115 million animals each year are used for testing worldwide. Yet, animals help with pollination and keeping our forests healthy. 

NYX cosmetics agrees that animal testing is wrong.

NYX professional makeup is certified and acknowledged by PETA as a cruelty-free brand. It’s granted by the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals.

NYX appears in the PETA “Beauty Without Bunnies” program search as a cruelty-free brand.

cruelty-free yes, shades, palette, lip products
Source: crueltyfree.peta.org

Their website also has the PETA cruelty-free certification logo.

shades, tests on animals, palette
Source: nyxcosmetics.com

Is NYX Leaping Bunny Certified?

No, it’s not. The Leaping Bunny Program has a list of all brands that are Leaping Bunny Certified.

The Leaping Bunny certification shows that a brand meets an international cruelty-free standard. This certification ensures you that brands:

  • Products and ingredients are free from animal testing.
  • Are audited to prove that they don’t conduct animal tests.

Is NYX Choose Cruelty-Free Certified?

Not at all. Choose Cruelty Free (CCF) is an Australian-based organization that accredits cruelty-free companies. The condition is that the company needs to sign a legally binding contract. 

NYX makeup isn’t on CCF’s list of certified brands. 

You must be wondering if this is a bad thing. No, it isn’t. Brands can still be cruelty-free without contracts.

Is the NYX Cosmetics Parent Company Cruelty-Free?

L’oreal Group bought NYX cosmetics in 2014. So, L’Oreal has some control over NYX’s professional makeup.

L’Oreal cosmetics doesn’t outright say that they’re cruelty-free. Although, their policy states they don’t test their products or ingredients on animals. 

The catch is, L’Oreal sells products in mainland China where animal tests are mandatory. This explains why they aren’t certified by PETA.

L’Oreal insists that this doesn’t affect their operations at NYX.

To date, NYX cosmetics avoids animal testing and doesn’t sell its products in mainland China. Their animal testing policy doesn’t allow:

  • Testing ingredients or finished products on animals.
  • Supplier or third-party tests on any animal.
cruelty-free Nyx, shades, palette
Source: nyxcosmetics.com.au

Is Maybelline Cruelty Free?

No, it is not. Maybelline was acquired by L’Oreal in 1995. Since then, it’s adopted L’Oreal’s policy which allows for third-party testing in China.

cruelty-free Nyx, shades
Source: maybelline.com

How Does L’Oreal Offset Third-Party Testing?

L’Oreal includes that they’ve been at the forefront of alternative methods for the last 30 years. For example, they use alternative testing methods like Episkin — a reconstructed human skin model for testing their products.

NYX cosmetics and Maybelline use the same alternative testing methods.

Here’s the good news : as of 2021, China will no longer require animal testing on general cosmetic imports.

Is NYX Vegan?

Yes, NYX is vegan! Everyone loves NYX makeup because of its pigmented palette shades and lip creams. Their range of vegan-friendly products makes them even more loveable.

Their website shows the NYX vegan options contain no animal-derived ingredients or byproducts.

shades, professional makeup is certified, shades
Source: nyxcosmetics.com

Are NYX Vegan Products of High Quality?

Yes!  NYX vegan products contain high pigments in every shade you’d like. 
While shopping, you can refine your search options or visit their vegan formula site.

product type, shade, shades, bb cream
Source: nyxcosmetics.com

NYX is also keen to use a vegan badge in product descriptions to guide your decision:

formulas, shade, shades
Source: nyxcosmetics.com

Have a look at their vegan product list.  

Do NYX Products Have Vegan Certifications?

Not officially. NYX is open about its vegan formula and vegan products. But, they have no official vegan certifications such as those granted by:

  • PETA. 
  • Vegan Action. 
  • The Vegan Society.
  • The Vegetarian Society.

What’s the Difference Between Cruelty-Free and Vegan Products?

These two terms appear identical, although they’re not. Let’s clear this up by explaining the differences below:

Cruelty-FreeVegan
A product or its ingredients is not tested on animals.A product doesn’t contain animal-derived ingredients or by-products.
May have animal-derived ingredients or by-productsMay be tested on animals.

Is NYX Professional Makeup Ethical?

This is a grey area for NYX professional makeup.  According to research, for beauty brands to be ethical, they should:

  • Not use child labor.
  • Avoid animal testing.
  • Avoid toxic ingredients.
  • Maintain moderate packaging.

NYX cosmetics is clear on being cruelty-free and vegan but hasn’t commented on its mica sources. Admittedly, L’Oreal says their mica is ethically sourced. 

NYX is also silent on the other issues, so the rest remains a mystery.

Is NYX Halal?

NYX is not Halal certified.  Every ingredient in a Halal product must be traceable and should conform to Islamic law.

Hopefully, NYX will join the other Halal-certified makeup brands too.

For now, it appears that you may have to read the ingredients on any product to ensure it’s suitable for your use.

Become a Conscientious Shopper Today

Being a conscientious consumer is a way of self-expression. It’s an ethical and sustainable choice to buy cruelty-free cosmetics.

Is it difficult to find brands that don’t test on animals?

It’s not!

A 2021 report predicts that the future of the beauty industry is vegan and cruelty-free. Your part as a consumer is critical in achieving this goal. 

Being a conscientious consumer involves staying informed about brands and their products.

Visit Caring Consumer to find out the best cruelty-free brands and what they have to offer. 

As a brand, we are committed to ensuring you make the best choice for you and the earth.

Photo by Pxhere / CC BY