Be cruelty free
The beauty industry has an ugly secret. Every year, this billion-dollar industry test on approximately 100,000 to 200,000 animals around the world. The test subjects include rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and mice that are subjected to a confined life full of suffering and isolation. Research shows that only about 3% of these animals survive, while the others die in cages, alone and in pain.
Animal testing involves scientific testing and experimentation, during which animals are used to test a wide variety of chemicals and products. The purpose is to identify potential side effects the products might have on humans.
The sad truth is that animal testing is not a necessary process - cosmetics companies can still produce new, safe and exciting beauty products without inflicting pain on innocent animals. There are thousands of ingredients with a long history of safe use. If new chemical compounds are to be used, alternative means of testing are available. Here are some of them:
In Vitro Testing
Test methods and models based on human cell and tissue cultures can be used to test products. For example, Singapore scientists have created in-vitro human skin which has the same chemical and biological properties as human skin. The skin can be used to test the toxicity or irritability of a product, and the process can even be accelerated.
Computer Modelling
Researchers have developed sophisticated computer models that simulate human biology and the progression of developing diseases. These models can accurately predict the ways that new drugs will react in the human body, thus reducing the need for animal testing.
Human-Patient Simulators
Human-Patient simulators are computerised simulators that are lifelike, with the ability to breathe, bleed, talk, and even “die”. They can mimic illnesses and injuries and give the appropriate biological response injections, and can be used to test out new cosmetic products.
As consumers, it’s extremely important to know who you’re buying from and whether the companies you support are testing their products on animals. When possible, buy from companies that say no to animal testing. If the information is not available online, you can try contacting the companies to find out more.
Let’s be cruelty free.
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