Is It Cosmetics ethical and cruelty-free?
Not really — It Cosmetics fails 2 of the 4 ethics signals we track, including its animal-testing position, and holds no third-party certification we can verify.
It Cosmetics is a mass-premium skincare and makeup brand owned by L'Oréal, with limited ethical certifications and no major controversies, though its parent company's animal testing practices and sustainability commitments require scrutiny.
The evidence, signal by signal
Cruelty-freeflagged
Not certified cruelty-free; parent company L'Oréal tests on animals where required by law, including for sales in China.
Vegan optionsunverified
No vegan-certified products; some items may be accidentally vegan but not labeled.
Sells in mainland Chinaflagged
Selling through mainland Chinese retail has historically triggered post-market animal testing.
Third-party certifiedunverified
We don't track any of this brand's products yet, so product-level certifications are unchecked.
Public pledges: No brand-specific sustainability pledges; relies on L'Oréal's corporate program (L'Oréal for the Future) with 2030 goals for packaging and carbon.
Scored with our public methodology. Profile last updated 2026-09-20.
Research notes on It Cosmetics
Compiled from the brand's own statements and the public sources listed below, last reviewed 2026-09-20. We don't stock It Cosmetics products, so nothing here is checked against product records.
Overview
It Cosmetics was founded in 2008 by Jamie Kern Lima and is now a subsidiary of L'Oréal, one of the world's largest beauty conglomerates. The brand is known for its 'skincare-powered makeup' and inclusive shade ranges. As part of L'Oréal, It Cosmetics does not have independent ethical certifications. The brand is not vegan, does not claim to be cruelty-free, and is sold in mainland China, where animal testing is legally required for imported cosmetics. While no major controversies are recorded, the brand's alignment with L'Oréal's global testing practices raises ethical concerns for animal welfare advocates.
Certifications
It Cosmetics does not hold any third-party ethical certifications such as Leaping Bunny, PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies, or B Corp. The brand is not verified as cruelty-free by any major organization. L'Oréal has its own internal sustainability program (L'Oréal for the Future) but these corporate-level commitments do not translate into independent brand-level certifications.
Animal Testing & Vegan Range
It Cosmetics is not certified cruelty-free. L'Oréal has a long-standing policy of conducting animal testing where required by law, including in China. Since It Cosmetics products are sold in China (via cross-border e-commerce), testing is likely involved. The brand does not label any products as vegan, though some items may be free of animal-derived ingredients. L'Oréal has stated it is working towards alternatives, but no timeline or verifiable change for It Cosmetics has been announced.
Sustainability Pledges
L'Oréal has global sustainability goals, including achieving 100% recycled or bio-based plastics by 2030 and reducing carbon emissions. It Cosmetics as a brand does not have specific published sustainability targets or packaging reduction plans. Some product packaging uses PCR (post-consumer recycled) materials, but no consistent commitment is made across the range. The brand's sustainability impact is largely absorbed into L'Oréal's corporate reporting, which lacks transparency for individual brands.
Sourcing & Labor
L'Oréal has a Responsible Sourcing Program and is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). However, It Cosmetics does not provide public information about its direct ingredient suppliers or labor practices in its supply chain. L'Oréal's tier-1 factories are audited for social compliance, but brand-level details are not available. No forced labor or human rights violations have been linked to the brand.
Controversies Context
No major scandals or controversies are directly associated with It Cosmetics. However, criticism exists regarding L'Oréal's animal testing stance and its past ties to controversial figures (e.g., supporting anti-semitic rhetoric in the 1940s). These are historical and not specific to It Cosmetics. The brand has not been involved in lawsuits or patent disputes related to ethics.
Bottom Line
It Cosmetics is a mainstream makeup brand owned by L'Oréal, with no independent ethical certifications and no cruelty-free or vegan claims. Its sale in China and parent company's testing policies make it unsuitable for vegan or animal-rights-conscious consumers. Sustainability efforts are corporate, not brand-led. For those prioritizing ethics, look for certified cruelty-free and transparent brands.
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More on It Cosmetics
Is It Cosmetics ethical? FAQs
Is It Cosmetics cruelty-free?+
Not certified cruelty-free; parent company L'Oréal tests on animals where required by law, including for sales in China.
Does It Cosmetics have vegan products?+
No vegan-certified products; some items may be accidentally vegan but not labeled.
Does It Cosmetics sell in mainland China?+
Selling through mainland Chinese retail has historically triggered post-market animal testing.
What is It Cosmetics' ethics score?+
We don't score any It Cosmetics products yet, so there is no ethics score. The signals above come from the brand profile and the sources listed on this page.
What are the best alternatives to It Cosmetics?+
Higher-scoring alternatives include Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Pure-Castile Soap (Travel Size) by Dr. Bronner's, RSPO-Segregated Organic Intimate Care & Menstrual Set by &SISTERS, Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Peppermint) by Dr. Bronner's.