Is Kerastase ethical and cruelty-free?
Not really — Kerastase fails 2 of the 4 ethics signals we track, including its animal-testing position, and holds no third-party certification we can verify.
Kérastase, a premium haircare brand owned by L'Oréal, positions itself as a leader in luxury hair wellness, but its ethical profile is mixed due to its parent company's animal-testing practices and limited standalone sustainability certifications.
The evidence, signal by signal
Cruelty-freeflagged
L'Oréal company policy states it does not test on animals except where required by law, and it sells in China.
Vegan optionsunverified
Limited; most products contain animal-derived ingredients; some lines are vegan but not certified.
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: Participates in L'Oréal's 'Sharing Beauty With All' program, uses recycled plastics, and offers refill options.
Scored with our public methodology. Profile last updated 2026-09-19.
Research notes on Kerastase
Compiled from the brand's own statements and the public sources listed below, last reviewed 2026-09-19. We don't stock Kerastase products, so nothing here is checked against product records.
Overview
Kérastase is a French luxury haircare brand founded in 1964 and acquired by L'Oréal in 1970. It specializes in professional salon products for hair health and beauty. The brand is known for its high-end formulas and salon-exclusive distribution. However, as a subsidiary of L'Oréal, its ethical stance is largely shaped by the parent company's policies. Kérastase does not operate as an independent ethical entity, and its commitments to animal welfare, sustainability, and sourcing are often aligned with L'Oréal's broader corporate social responsibility framework.
Certifications
Kérastase products are not independently certified by major third-party ethical standards such as Leaping Bunny, PETA Beauty Without Bunnies, or Vegan Society. L'Oréal does not hold B Corp certification. Some Kérastase lines (e.g., 'Bain Satin Riche' and 'Elixir Ultime') carry the ECOCERT label for organic ingredients, but this is limited to specific products. The brand itself does not display cruelty-free certifications because L'Oréal sells in China, where animal testing is required by law for imported cosmetics (though post-2021 regulations allow exemptions for 'general cosmetics'). Kérastase has not sought certification from Cruelty Free International.
Animal testing & vegan range
Kérastase is not cruelty-free. L'Oréal conducts animal testing where required by law, including for products sold in China. Kérastase states it does not test on animals for products sold in markets where alternatives are accepted, but this is contradicted by its presence in China. The brand offers a small 'Vegan' line (e.g., 'Symbiose' and some 'Genesis' formulas), but most products contain animal-derived ingredients such as keratin (from wool), beeswax, or lanolin. Kérastase does not market itself as a vegan brand, and its vegan options are not universally certified.
Sustainability pledges
L'Oréal's 'Sharing Beauty With All' program includes targets for carbon neutrality, water reduction, and circular packaging. Kérastase participates in this; for example, its 'Kérastase Genesis' line uses 95% recycled plastic bottles. The brand has introduced refill pouches for shampoos in select markets and claims to reduce water consumption in product formulations. However, these pledges are not independently verified, and Kérastase does not publish a standalone sustainability report. L'Oréal aims for 100% recyclable or refillable packaging by 2025, but critics note that 'recyclable' does not ensure actual recycling.
Sourcing & labor
L'Oréal sources ingredients globally, with claims of traceability for key botanicals (e.g., argan oil from Morocco, shea butter from West Africa). Kérastase states it supports fair trade partnerships for some raw materials through L'Oréal's 'Solidarity Sourcing' program, which provides income to over 100,000 people worldwide. Labor practices across L'Oréal's supply chain are audited via Sedex and SMETA standards, but the complexity of the supply chain makes full transparency difficult. No major labor controversies have been reported for Kérastase specifically.
Controversies context
No significant controversies directly involve Kérastase. However, L'Oréal has faced criticism for animal testing in China and for greenwashing regarding its sustainability claims. In 2020, L'Oréal was accused of misleading advertising over 'carbon neutral' claims. Kérastase's luxury positioning makes it a target for concerns about overpackaging and plastic waste; its products often use heavy glass bottles and non-recyclable components. The brand has responded with limited refill options but has not eliminated single-use plastics.
Bottom line
Kérastase offers high-quality haircare with some sustainability efforts, but its ethical credentials are undermined by L'Oréal's animal-testing practices and lack of independent certifications. Consumers seeking truly cruelty-free, vegan, or fully sustainable options should consider alternatives like Paul Mitchell, Davines, or Oribe (with caveats). Kérastase is a reasonable choice for those prioritizing performance over ethics, but it is not a leader in ethical beauty.
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More on Kerastase
Is Kerastase ethical? FAQs
Is Kerastase cruelty-free?+
L'Oréal company policy states it does not test on animals except where required by law, and it sells in China.
Does Kerastase have vegan products?+
Limited; most products contain animal-derived ingredients; some lines are vegan but not certified.
Does Kerastase sell in mainland China?+
Selling through mainland Chinese retail has historically triggered post-market animal testing.
What is Kerastase's ethics score?+
We don't score any Kerastase 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 Kerastase?+
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.