Cruelty-Free And Clean Beauty Options At Walgreens A Consumer Guide

Walgreens is a ubiquitous drugstore chain in the United States, offering a wide range of beauty, personal care, and household products. For consumers seeking to make more ethical purchasing decisions, understanding which brands are cruelty-free and clean is essential. This guide examines the landscape of cruelty-free options available at Walgreens, the company's own policies, and the availability of specific clean beauty brands that meet these criteria. It is important to note that the information provided is based solely on the supplied source documents and does not encompass all possible products or brands available in-store.

Understanding Walgreens' Official Stance

When evaluating any retailer for cruelty-free options, the first step is to assess the company's own policies. According to the provided sources, Walgreens itself is not considered a cruelty-free retailer. The company may test on animals either directly, through its suppliers, or through third parties. This is a critical distinction for consumers who prefer to avoid supporting companies that engage in or require animal testing.

Furthermore, Walgreens is owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance, a parent company that is also listed as not being cruelty-free. In the beauty industry, it is common for brands to be owned by larger parent companies that may not align with the brand's own ethical standards. The sources note that while some brands owned by non-cruelty-free parent companies maintain their own strict policies against animal testing, the parent company's practices are a factor for many conscientious consumers.

Walgreens is not certified by any recognized cruelty-free organizations such as Leaping Bunny or PETA. The company also does not claim to be vegan, meaning some of its store-brand or carried products may contain animal-derived ingredients. For consumers seeking 100% vegan products, it is recommended to scrutinize product labels carefully.

Cruelty-Free Brands Available at Walgreens

Despite Walgreens' own corporate policies, the store carries a variety of brands that are certified or recognized as cruelty-free by third-party organizations. These brands have their own policies against animal testing and are often transparent about their supply chains. The following brands are highlighted in the source material as being available at Walgreens and are cruelty-free:

• Garnier: The source indicates that Garnier is now officially cruelty-free. The brand offers a range of affordable skincare, haircare, and hair dye products and is described as easy to find at the drugstore.
• Cake: This is a cruelty-free and completely vegan haircare brand. Consumers can find Cake shampoo, conditioner, and styling products at Walgreens.
• Sky Organics: Identified as cruelty-free with many vegan options, Sky Organics is noted for being suitable for those interested in mixing products or creating DIY skincare and haircare.
• Dr. Bronner's: A longtime cruelty-free favorite, Dr. Bronner's is known for its versatile, all-purpose soap that can be used for various cleaning and personal care tasks.
• Hempz: This cruelty-free brand specializes in body lotions infused with CBD, offering a range of scents from unscented to fruity and floral.

It is important to recognize that this list is not exhaustive and is based only on the brands mentioned in the provided source documents. The availability of these specific brands may vary by location and over time.

Spotlight on Clean Beauty: The Native and Walgreens Partnership

A significant development in the clean beauty space at Walgreens is the partnership between the brand Native and the retailer. Native, which debuted in 2015 with its aluminum-free deodorant, has expanded into a full range of personal care products including hair care, body wash, and oral care.

Native’s commitment to clean beauty is defined by its use of naturally derived ingredients and the exclusion of aluminum, parabens, and phthalates. The brand emphasizes that its products are never tested on animals, making them cruelty-free. Furthermore, Native is working toward greater sustainability, having introduced a 100% plastic-free packaging line.

Walgreens began carrying Native's deodorant line in 2019, marking a step toward increasing access to affordable clean products at drugstores. A key aspect of this partnership is the collaboration with the Think Dirty app, which rates products based on their ingredient safety. According to the source, all Native products sold at Walgreens receive a 0 rating on the Think Dirty app, indicating they are among the cleanest options available. Consumers can use the app to check specific product listings for detailed ingredient information.

Key Considerations for Consumers

For U.S. consumers, deal seekers, and parents looking for ethical products at Walgreens, several points are worth considering:

1. Brand vs. Retailer Policies: It is possible to find cruelty-free brands within a store that is not cruelty-free. The decision to support brands with strong ethical policies, even when sold by a larger parent company, is a personal one that many in the cruelty-free community make.
2. Certification and Verification: While Walgreens is not certified, individual brands like those listed above may have their own certifications or publicly available cruelty-free statements. Consumers are encouraged to look for these on brand websites or packaging.
3. The Role of Third-Party Apps: Tools like the Think Dirty app can provide additional verification for product ingredients, as demonstrated by the Native partnership. These resources can help consumers navigate product claims.
4. Product Availability: The selection of cruelty-free and clean brands can differ significantly between Walgreens locations. Checking online inventory or visiting a store in person is the best way to confirm availability.

Conclusion

Walgreens offers a selection of cruelty-free brands such as Garnier, Cake, Sky Organics, Dr. Bronner's, and Hempz, providing options for consumers prioritizing animal welfare. While the Walgreens corporation and its parent company are not cruelty-free, the presence of these specific brands allows for ethical purchasing decisions within the store. The partnership with Native further enhances the availability of clean, cruelty-free personal care products, with the added benefit of third-party ingredient verification via the Think Dirty app. Consumers should remain diligent, researching individual brands and products to align their purchases with their personal values.

Sources

1. Shop Cruelty-Free at Walgreens
2. Walgreens - Cruelty Free Kitty
3. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. - Cruelty Free Investing
4. The Ultimate Clean Beauty Alliance: Native and Walgreens Partner with Think Dirty