Cosmetics companies have long used animal testing as part of the product development process. For years, these practices went largely unrecognized by consumers.

Animal testing was first used by the makeup industry in the 1920s, when it was erroneously believed that gauging a substance’s effect on a rabbit or a mouse could accurately predict that same material’s fitness for human use.

Currently, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating the cosmetic industry in the United States. While the FDA requires cosmetics manufacturers to market products that are nontoxic, there are no specific guidelines that define appropriate testing procedures.

Basically, the FDA says that companies are responsible for ensuring the safety of their ingredients and products, but does not command animal testing as part of the process.

Aside from inflicting intense pain, permanent disfiguration and even death on living subjects, animal testing of cosmetics is an obsolete, unreliable science. In fact, products that have been proven toxic to animals in lab tests can still be legally marketed for human use. Furthermore, there is no proof that results of animal testing have any relevance to human consumption.

Kinder, more effective methods include research done with cell and tissue cultures, in vitro procedures and computer-generated models.

The driving force behind consumer outrage over animal testing methods has been well-funded outreach and educational campaigns launched by animal rights groups around the world.

Thanks to the vigilance of activists, working together with scientists, researchers, legislators and product manufacturers, there are now more than 500 personal care and makeup companies that have forever banned animal testing.

Such a dramatic turn-around begs the question: How have public demand and consumer habits changed the way cosmetics companies develop products?

In the US, The Human Society of the United States (HSUS) has worked tirelessly for more than forty years to advance the cause of cruelty-free product testing. Following the guidelines presented in a study by the US National Research Council and several European scientific research organizations, the HSUS advocates humane product testing and has lobbied international cosmetics manufacturers to commit to the Corporate Standard of Compassion of Animals. This policy represents a company’s pledge to use only cruelty-free materials and testing methods in all phases of production.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) also has a long tradition of promoting awareness and consumer education regarding cruelty-free cosmetics and skin care. PETA regularly arranges boycotts of products and companies that do not adhere to humane testing and research methods. The organization also maintains a comprehensive list of cosmetics that use no animal by-products or ingredients to help consumers make informed choices.

The work of organizations like HSUS and PETA has put intense pressure on cosmetics manufacturers to cease outdated animal testing and to begin using more technologically advanced and animal friendly procedures.

The growing popularity of the green movement has also heightened consumer consciousness and has increased demand for cosmetics and skin care products that are environmentally responsible and cruelty-free.

Industry watchers predict this trend will persist as consumer awareness continues to grow over the next several years.