Cruelty-Free
Yes
Vegan
Mostly
Parent Company
Estée Lauder
Certifications
Leaping Bunny, PETA
Sold in China
No
What We Know
The Ordinary burst onto the beauty scene in 2016 with a simple promise: clinical formulations at prices that do not make your eyes water. Under parent company DECIEM, it became a cult favorite. In 2021, Estée Lauder acquired a majority stake in DECIEM, and this is where things get complicated.
Estée Lauder is not a cruelty-free company. They sell in mainland China, where imported cosmetics are required by law to undergo animal testing. While China has relaxed some regulations for domestically manufactured ordinary cosmetics, imported products still face testing requirements.
However, The Ordinary itself maintains that it does not test on animals, nor does it ask others to test on its behalf. The brand holds both Leaping Bunny and PETA cruelty-free certifications. This dual certification is significant because Leaping Bunny requires independent auditing of the entire supply chain.
Vegan Status
Most of The Ordinary's products are vegan, but some contain animal-derived ingredients like honey derivatives or certain marine-based compounds. Always check the individual product page for vegan status.
Best Cruelty-Free Products
Here are our top picks from The Ordinary's vegan product line, all tested and recommended by our team:
Is The Ordinary Owned by a Non-Cruelty-Free Parent Company?
Yes — Estée Lauder acquired DECIEM (The Ordinary's parent company) in 2021. Estée Lauder is not cruelty-free because they sell in mainland China where animal testing is required by law for imported cosmetics.
This creates a dilemma for many cruelty-free consumers. Some choose to boycott The Ordinary because profits ultimately flow to a parent company that participates in animal testing markets. Others argue that supporting The Ordinary sends a signal to Estée Lauder that cruelty-free brands are valuable and profitable, potentially encouraging the parent company to move toward cruelty-free practices.
There is no universally correct answer — it is a personal choice. If avoiding parent company profits from animal testing is a priority for you, consider alternatives like Versed, The Inkey List, or Good Molecules, which offer similar affordable, ingredient-focused skincare without the parent company complication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Ordinary test on animals?
No. The Ordinary does not test its finished products or ingredients on animals, and it does not ask others to test on its behalf. The brand is certified cruelty-free by both Leaping Bunny and PETA.
Is The Ordinary vegan?
Mostly. The majority of The Ordinary's products are vegan, but some contain animal-derived ingredients like honey derivatives or certain marine-based compounds. Each product page on their website clearly indicates vegan status.
Is The Ordinary sold in China?
No. The Ordinary does not sell in mainland China, which means it bypasses the animal testing requirements that apply to cosmetics sold in that market. This is a key reason it maintains its cruelty-free certifications.
Who owns The Ordinary?
The Ordinary is owned by DECIEM, which was acquired by Estée Lauder Companies in 2021. Estée Lauder is NOT cruelty-free as a company — they sell in markets that require animal testing. However, The Ordinary operates as a separate entity and maintains its own cruelty-free policies and certifications.
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