3 Non-Toxic & Cruelty Free Shopping Tips
Shopping is meant to be fun, but we can understand the challenges when it comes to shopping for non-toxic and cruelty free products.
Which products aren’t tested on animals? Which ones don’t use ingredients from companies who test on animals? Which products have harmful chemicals and GMOs? The aisles of choices can be difficult and down right confusing.
We hope that by trying our Non Toxic & Cruelty Free Shopping Tips, you can save yourself some time and hassle next time you’re at the store. Let’s make shopping fun again!
1. Research is your friend!
Before heading out to shopping land, take a few minutes to sit down and research some of the items that you will be shopping for. This is an easy way to look for cruelty free items, check ingredients, browse company bios, organize your thoughts and prepare for your journey down the shopping aisle.
2. Labels & Ingredients – Check them.
I can’t recommend this tip enough. Companies change their products constantly and you can’t always rely on it being the same every time you purchase. Ingredients can change. Testing policies can change. Labels can change. It’s always a good idea to turn the product over and give it a quick read!
3. Download Helpful Apps
When all else fails, let your smart phone do it for you, right?
This might be THE most helpful and time saving tip when it comes to shopping (I want to bold that, underline it, and put it in neon lights). I’m just going to come out and say it – I’m in love with my apps and I don’t care who knows it!
I have two apps on my phone that I am so excited to share with you. Whether it be for shopping for food, clothes, beauty products, decor, home supplies, you name it, these will make any non-toxic and cruelty free shopper’s trip so much easier!
THE APPS:
1. Buycott
This might be my favorite app ever, and the concept is pretty simple. Buycott helps you to organize your everyday consumer spending so you can fund causes you support and avoid funding those you disagree with. Simply join causes and campaigns on the app (ex: Cruelty Free, Vegan, End Animal Testing, Protect the Seals, Stop Factory Farming, Demand GMO Labeling, Organic Fair Trade… etc.) and scan the product’s barcode.
When you use Buycott to scan a product, it will look up the product, determine what brand it belongs to, and figure out what company owns that brand (and who owns that company, ad infinitum). It will then cross-check the product owners against the companies and brands included in the campaigns you’ve joined, in order to tell you if the scanned product conflicts with one of your campaign commitments.
It’s a pretty genius idea, and I love that it caters to all walks of life and personalities. When I first downloaded it, I went straight to my pantry, makeup drawer, closets, everywhere and scanned everything I owned. Trust me, you’ll be a scanning up a storm. You might be surprised what you learn!
2. Cruelty Free
This handy app is a great go-to guide to look up cosmetic, personal care, and household product companies while you’re on the go. It was published by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics’ (CCIC) Leaping Bunny Program, and lists over 200 U.S. and Canadian companies that do not test ingredients, formulations, or finished products on animals.
Also since The Leaping Bunny Program certifies that no new animal testing is used, you can be confident about your cruelty-free choices.
AUTHOR: Sarah is a designer, photographer, health & animal advocate, wife, and devoted mom (humble servant) to her loving Shih Tzu, Coco Bean. To see more of her work, visit her website and blog, Chic Sprinkles.
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