Vegan Society Logo
Vegan Society Logo

I am always on the lookout for cruelty free and vegan personal care products. What does that mean exactly?

Well, it means that companies which produce these products:
1) do not test their products and the ingredients in their elixirs either themselves or by a third party, even when required by law.
2) do not use any nonhuman animals in their ingredients.
3) are not owned by a parent company that does either or both.

It is not a long list, but it is an important list for vegans looking to have their every day lives reflect their values. Mainstream companies like L’Oreal  and Esteé Lauder know that consumers are becoming more aware of the cruelty inherent in producing and selling products which contain non human animal ingredients and have been tested on non humans. And many people, vegan and non vegan alike, are asking for alternatives.

So companies such as these will fudge on their definition of cruelty free (no species testing) and will say stuff like this.

Estee Lauder:

 

We do not test our products or ingredients on animals, or ask others to test on our behalf, except where required by law. We believe that animal testing should not be needed to validate safety of comestic products or ingredients and we are encouraging the use of alternatives and the elimination of such animal testing globally.


Whoopie-dee-doo!!!  Sounds ethical, right? And it is, until  Esteé Lauder hits the profit line wall. They will sell to China, for example, which requires testing on non humans,  This renders the encouragement to which Estee Lauder refers, empty and meaningless. All they have done is given themselves a get out of jail free card.

I stay away from companies such as these.  But unfortunately , I have sensitive skin that does not like many of the products out there on the market.  I know without a doubt, that my temperamental dermis is not more important than the health and well being of suffering beings.  Therefore, I search high and low for products that are good for me and for them. I make mistakes and sometimes buy the wrong thing because I do not always understand the subterfuge used by companies to promote and sell their wares. I am getting smarter now and fewer tricks get past my radar.

 

Product Line
Product Line

So, I was pleased and a little bit skeptical when I came across  Arbonne. I had heard positive and negative things about this company’s stance on cruelty free and vegan.  I decided to do a little digging. After several e-mails with both the company and a consultant  whom I met through The Montreal Vegan Rejects, I am reasonably assured Arbonne’s products are as advertised.

 

In addition, they are certified by The Vegan Society. It is interesting to note that  the easily recognizable logo is not  emblazoned on all of the Arbonne packages. I was assured by the consultant and the company that they are in the process of rectifying this and that no, it does not mean that the product is not vegan.

The company itself  is not vegan however, like Matt and Nat, for instance, which extends their view of veganism into all aspects of the business, including the food in the company cafeteria. Arbonne sells a nutritional product that suggests consuming “lean meat” as a part of the diet plan. But for me, it is not reason enough not to try their other products. So many of my must have boxes are ticked in terms of cruelty free and vegan product and ingredients. As my daughter says, once the due diligence is done and all seems on the up and up, it is time to take a leap of a faith.

Last week I met with two lovely Arbonne consultants who believe in the products they have to sell. Sherri says:

Pure, safe, green and beneficial are the words that kept going around in my head after I was introduced to  Arbonne  by District Manager, Natalie Ornstein. Her enthusiasm for the brand, products and business opportunity was infectious and I decided to give the products a shot….

I have extremely sensitive skin and always ran into problems with my current products. Natalie explained to me Arbonne’s commitment to all natural products, botanically based and vegan certified seemed like a solution to my problems…..

I became curious about the current skincare products I was using. I did some research on my current skin care products I was horrified by what I found. Fillers, chemicals and toxins… I couldn’t believe what I had been putting on my body for years!

I am proud to be part of Arbonne’s networks of Independent Consultants who promote healthier and beneficial products while building the brand, affording anyone the opportunity to build a business, earn additional income and reach their financial goals!

Now I cannot speak to the the purity of Arbonne’s products, but I am certainly going to give them a whirl and see how my sensitive skin likes them. I tried the shampoo the other day and enjoyed the result. Products are ordered exclusively through independent consultants. Please feel free to get in touch with these lovely Arbonne Consultants

Sherri Gutberg –Arbonne Independent Consultant ID-116612469
(514) 909-2120
sherrigut@hotmail.com

Natalie Ornstein-Shragie – Arbonne Independent Consultant  CID# 116552275
(514) 233 9235
nomstein@hotmail.com

Monica Butschek –  Arbonne Independent Consultant ID #10370937
(818) 205-8864
mmbutschek@yahoo.com
Raleigh, North Carolina

Marita Bonillo-Farias- I also connected, on Facebook with this lovely Arbonne consultant.. I am not sure where she lives but, for out of towners, you can contact her at:

https://www.facebook.com/maritabf/about?section=bio

Debbie Larabie Beriault – another Facebook Friend and Arbonne consultant who lives in the Ottawa, Ontario, Canada area.

http://debraberiault.arbonne.com/  ID# 116311779

debi.beriault@hotmail.com

 

Vegan and Cruelty Free
Vegan and Cruelty Free

Update: October 2015

I received an e-mail from Sherri with the following message and image:

Hi Anne,

We officially have our certification.

 

Annie’s Vegan View

Do your due diligence. E-mail the company in question.

Cruelty free means no testing on nonhuman animals.

Vegan means no testing on nonhuman animals and no nonhuman animal ingredients in the formula.

Make sure there is no third party testing of ingredients and that companies do not sell to countries where testing is mandatory.

Be on the lookout for slight of hand in companies assurances.

May all beings be happy and free.

Anne

 

 

Arbonne-Cruelty Free and Vegan?

54 thoughts on “Arbonne-Cruelty Free and Vegan?

  • December 1, 2014 at 6:34 am
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    Great info on an important and often very tricky topic! I had a really hard time finding vegan skin care products here that 1) I could afford and 2) actually are cruelty free. I found a line at a store here called Rossmann and I use it even though the company has other lines that aren’t. I’ve also written them to tell them how much I appreciate that they have the vegan line. For lack of a better comparison for those in North American, It’s similar to CVS or Walgreen’s. Rossmann has their own brands of products and they have some excellent vegan and all-natural lines as well as the ones that aren’t. I too felt a bit tricky about it because if the whole company isn’t vegan….. But there’s no alternative for me that I can actually afford. I did learn that apple cider vinegar works as shampoo! And it really works!

    Hope you get good results from the Arbonne products!

    Reply
    • December 2, 2014 at 7:36 am
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      Hey Krissa,
      Glad to hear that you have found a line that works for you. It can be tough to find affordable cruelty free and vegan products and even more difficult to find a company whose philosophy reflects vegan values. So, I go for the best option I can find. Most companies are responding to what they consider a niche market, hoping to increase their profit line and be on the winning side if the niche becomes mainstream.
      I do use apple cider vinegar on my hair, but mostly as a rinse or an oil treatment when combined with equal parts olive oil, water and vinegar.
      Love exchanging ideas and facts with you. Thanks for the info about the stores in your neck of the woods.
      Take care.
      Anne

      Reply
  • December 1, 2014 at 3:55 pm
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    Thanks for posting this, and for doing all the leg-work. I have personally been very frustrated with different products using all kinds of tricky lines to skirt the issues. For example “We do not test on animals” does not preclude having testing done on their behalf. Additionally, I’m frustrated when I discover that a “cruelty-free” product actually contains animal products. Sounds like you might have found a good product – I look forward to hearing how it turns out!

    Reply
    • December 2, 2014 at 7:44 am
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      Hi Allison,
      I understand your frustration. I was both appalled and happy when I found out that cruelty free stamped on the side of a packaged does not mean no non human animal ingredients. The products I buy have to say vegan on them and the company has to state that there is no third party testing of ingredients.
      And I am still on the lookout for discrepancies in the mission statements of companies from whom I currently buy. If their profit line is affected negatively in any way, they could change their cruelty free and vegan status without warning.
      I am more confident in companies that have a vegan philosophy like Matt and Nat and Field Roast.
      I purchased the shampoo and conditioner from Arbonne and will do a test run.
      Thanks again,
      Mom

      Reply
  • December 3, 2014 at 7:01 am
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    Thanks again Anne for taking time to meet with me and allowing me to discuss Arbonne’s products and vegan policy…
    If anyone would like additional info or sample some products please contact me!
    Sherri
    Sherrigut@hotmail.com

    Reply
    • December 4, 2014 at 1:16 pm
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      Hi Sherri,
      You are most welcome. I thank you for your patience in providing all the info that I requested. This turned out to be a very popular post, so I am guessing that many people are looking for cruelty free and vegan choices in their personal care products.
      Take care,
      Anne

      Reply
  • December 3, 2014 at 8:01 pm
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    3) are not owned by a parent company that does either or both

    This one I find tricky sometimes, especially when it comes to food products. Unfortunately, it seems that even ethically-minded small companies eventually become gobbled up by larger ones who don’t give a crap at all. And while a part of me would like to boycott them altogether, another part of me wants to encourage them in selling vegan and cruelty-free lines, and to let them know that there’s a demand for them.

    The success of vegan products, and ultimately of veganism itself, is in them becoming mainstream and not remaining separate niche markets. It’s hard though, eh, in sometimes knowing the right thing to do. In fact, there are times when I just throw my hands up in the air and say, now what? But I’m sure we’ll get there in the end. 🙂

    Reply
    • December 4, 2014 at 1:27 pm
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      Hi friend,
      I agree with you on all counts. If I am using products that are certified cruelty free and vegan, and I find out that they have been sold to a company like L’Oreal or Esteé Lauder, I start to look for another company to support. I also realize that we live in an imperfect world and that companies are invested in their bottom line and will do much to protect it. I do draw the line at using products which are not cruelty free and vegan. Once I find out that they are not or that they have changed their status, I stop using them.
      As for food, my first choice is always a company that is vegan in their philosophy like Field Roast and second, a company that makes some products that are cruelty free and vegan. I still shop at the grocery store where they sell nonhuman animal parts-hard to avoid that!!! But I do support and buy the plants and plant based products that they do have. Same thing for restaurants, although I will not go twice to a restaurant with an overpowering smell of cooked nonhuman animal flesh.
      I hope that we are moving toward mainstream plant choices. That will make a real difference.
      Many thanks for weighing in.
      Anne

      Reply
    • December 6, 2014 at 5:13 am
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      The food products thing is really tricky here, too. Sometimes you can see in tiny, tiny little letter “Unilever”, etc. on packaging. And it is super scary that, if what I’ve read is correct, Monsanto owns so many brands it’s unbelievable. But yep, I think that purchasing vegan products (although I truly do avoid anything that has certain company names on the label no matter what, even if one of the parents companies is cruel is necessary to show the demand for the products. And I write to stores and companies to thank them for those lines when I’ve found them.

      Reply
      • December 7, 2014 at 9:55 pm
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        Hi Krissa,
        What a great idea to thank companies for the efforts they make in putting forth cruelty free and vegan products. I will plan to do that in the near future.
        Thanks so much,
        Anne

        Reply
  • December 4, 2014 at 8:39 pm
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    There are good groups that are doing some of the legwork for us but we still have to do our research (thank goodness for the Internet!).

    The Environmental Working Group: Skin Deep Guide to Cosmetics (which includes much more than cosmetics) is a very good starting reference point. http://www.ewg.org

    Just recently, I learned about the Food Empowerment Project. On its website it says: “Food Empowerment Project seeks to create a more just and sustainable world by recognizing the power of one’s food choices.” Furthermore…. “Food Empowerment Project is a vegan food justice organization…. founded in 2006 by Lauren Ornelas.
    In particular, I referred to this site to find out about the production of cacao and the use of children as slave labourers. http://www.foodispower.org

    This summer I discovered a local woman who has a company called Jennifer Fisher Essentials that makes some fabulous products using plant based ingredients. Her bug spray and sun lotion really work well and I love her face creams. However, I’m always willing to try a new product that meets my stringent critera. So, I will give Arbonne a try and let you know what I think about it.

    Reply
    • December 4, 2014 at 9:15 pm
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      Hi Cindy,
      I think that the internet and social media has done much to bring awareness to the plight of nonhuman animals caught in all of our cruel industries.

      Fair trade cocoa and fair trade chocolate are two products that I use. I am hoping that companies who produce these products are indeed what they say they are and that workers are fairly treated and paid for their work and that no child is enslaved. I will check out the link. Thank you!

      Glad to hear that you have found a company that makes cruelty free and vegan cosmetics. I wonder is she ships to Montreal. I will check it out.

      Good to hear from you. take care.
      Anne

      Reply
  • December 10, 2014 at 3:48 pm
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    Thanks Anne,
    Brilliant well balanced and enlightening review.
    As a true Vgn myself I have to say many AB consultants do still consume animals. BUT I am pleased to say that unlike most of the general public I meet with Arbonne Consultants are open to Learning & hearing more about how to take steps towards plant based diet/Vegan. In fact, a few have stopped from dairy & are starting to have meat free days . So in a small way, I hope that the Vegan Community will continue to grow thru our efforts.
    You may find it of interest to know that the new ARBONNE Detox meal replacement guide has been enhanced to be more plant based (vegan) focused. I’m happy to share both the old & new guides with u if you like to share how Arbonne is striving to encourage & enlighten others to become vegan. I sadly haven’t been on conference to date, but I have heard that they are very plant based; fruits, vegs, no pastries, smoothies & they have vegan menus. However, sadly they do still list some meat choices too. But isn’t that better than most company conferences ??

    For followers who are looking to enquire about Arbonne from a critical vegans eye I’m very pleased to be a point of contact/access to Arbonne too. I’m based in N Somerset & my email is maritabf@hotmail.co.uk or my website is wealthhealthbeauty.myarbonne.co.uk & I also have a Facebook page called wealth health Beauty
    My Arbonne IC number is 441249698 x

    Reply
  • December 11, 2014 at 11:37 am
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    Hi Marita,
    Welcome to my website. I hope that you like what you see. Thank you for your kind words.
    Always happy to converse with my fellow vegans and to hear their stories of growth in the Vegan community.
    Happy to share your co-ordinates and hope that people get in touch with you.
    Many thanks,
    Anne

    Reply
  • October 1, 2015 at 9:31 am
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    I used to sell Arbonne but was always concerned that they weren’t Leaping Bunny accredited by Cruelty Free International. I wanted to be absolutely sure it was approved. The products are good and vegan. Some of the ingredients have been researched by other companies and I did try and investigate whether any of the stuff was being funded and tested by non ethical companies. I felt like it was a little too much of a grey area for me and moved to a more natural company who does have the Leaping Bunny certification. What alarms me now is that an Arbonne lady is posting Arbonne poster now that has Chinese or perhaps Japanese writing on it. It is a fact that China INSISTS on animal testing of all cosmetics, so if they are now available in Chine they will absolutely NOT be a cruelty free company any more. I would like to know more about them and China if you have any info. Warm regards Sali

    Reply
    • October 2, 2015 at 5:52 am
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      Hi Sali,
      Welcome to my website and thank you for sharing your experience with Arbonne. I, like you, am very wary of companies which belong to an industry known to test on animals and to use animal by products in their ingredients. It is true that Arbonne is not Leaping Bunny accredited, but even this logo does not guarantee that the product will not contain animal ingredients. Arbonne is accredited by The Vegan Society and my research tells me that this is a vegan accreditation.
      The poster of which you are speaking does set off some warning bells. I have not heard of Arbonne selling to China, but I will certainly e-mail the Arbonne rep and ask her. Before I wrote this article, I had been in touch with Arbonne and I found them to be quite open about their policies regarding being cruelty free and vegan.
      Of course, it is essential to know the truth and I thank you for raising this point. I will definitely follow up and post any updates in the comment section of this article. You might want to try e-mailing Arbonne about this. We need to compel companies to be forthright about their policies and accountable in this area.
      Take care,
      Anne

      Reply
    • October 2, 2015 at 9:01 pm
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      Hi Sali,
      I am the Arbonne rep that met with Anne and hope the following will respond to your questions.
      We are currently waiting for our leaping bunny stamp. In the mean time Arbonne is vegan certified and accepted by PETA. In terms of the foreign letters that you saw another Arbonne rep post, that is because Arbonne is getting ready to launch in Taiwan. Arbonne has always been and will always be a vegan, cruelty-free company.
      Have a good evening,
      Sherri Gutberg
      http://www.sherrigutberg.arbonne.com

      Reply
      • October 9, 2015 at 8:32 am
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        Hi Sherri,
        Thank you for being so prompt with your reply! It is very important to me to highlight companies that are cruelty free and vegan. It is also important to note that in Arbonne’s health line they offer a line of dietary shakes that, while plant based, is accompanied by suggestions for supplementation with foods that are not plant based. There is an important distinction to make here. The cruelty free and vegan designation does not extend to philosophy within the company. Is it possible that Arbonne limits itself to being cruelty free and vegan only in their product line and not in their mission? Otherwise their would be no suggestion of supplementing with meat based alternatives.
        Respectfully, Anne

        Reply
    • October 9, 2015 at 8:37 am
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      Hi Sali,
      I just st received an e-mail from Sherri, indicating that Arbonne now has its cruelty free and vegan designation from Leaping Bunny. http://www.leapingbunny.org/guide/brands
      This is very good news, I think. IMG_5645.PNG

      May all beings be happy and free
      Anne

      On Oct 7, 2015, at 8:44 PM, sherri gutberg wrote:

      Hi Anne! We officially have our certification!

      Take care,
      Anne

      Reply
    • December 10, 2015 at 12:03 am
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      BOTH CHINA AND JAPAN HAS INSISTED ON ANIMAL TESTING; SO ONCE A COMPANY WANTS TO CAPTURE THOSE MARKETS, IF THEY WERE ONCE CRUELTY FREE- OUT THE WINDOW IT GOES, IF THEY NOW SELL OVERSEAS TO THESE NATIONS.

      (I THOUGHT JAPAN WAS STARTING TO LEAN TOWARD A MORE COMPASSIONATE TESTING STANCE, BUT I WOULD NEED TO REALLY READ UP ON ANY CHANGES)

      SOME PEOPLE SEE* MADE IN CHINA* LISTED ON A BRAND LIKE WET N WILD, AND PANIC.

      FIRST, IF A USA COMPANY IS MERELY ASKING THEM TO CREATE THE PRODUCTS FOR THE USA MARKET- THEN WE SHOULD RELAX.

      BUT IF THAT SAME PRODUCT IS ALSO BEING SOLD IN CHINA?

      THEN THE USA COMPANY IS NOT CRUELTY FREE….AT LEAST NOT FOR ITS CHINA MARKET.

      IT CAN’T BE CRUELTY FREE IF IT DECIDES TO SELL TO THE ASIAN MARKETS BECAUSE OF THEIR RULES REQUIRING TESTING 🙁

      MONEY IS THE KEY FACTOR HERE AND MANY NON-TESTING COMPANIES WE BOUGHT FROM IN THE PAST, LOST SIGHT OF THEIR SO CALLED * COMPASSIONATE* STANCE IN SEARCH OF THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR-AKA: SELLING TO CHINA/JAPAN.

      SOME WERE EVEN LYING TO US ALL ALONG.

      MARY KAY- AVON- ALL THE BRANDS UNDER ESTEE LAUDER LINE- REVLON ETC????
      JUST HOW LONG HAVE THEY CLAIMED TO BE CRUELTY FREE WHILE THEY WERE ACTUALLY TESTING ?

      TOO BAD THERE CANNOT BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE FRAUD THEY PERPETUATED TO THEIR CONSUMERS.

      PEOPLE WHO WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THEIR MERCHANDISE IF THEY HAD KNOWN THE TRUTH.

      AS FOR PEOPLE WHO TOUT A PRODUCT AS CRUELTY FREE BUT KNOW THE PARENT COMPANY TESTS ITS OTHER PRODUCT LINES?
      THAT PRODUCT SHOULD NEVER BE INCLUDED AS CRUELTY FREE BECAUSE EVEN IF IT IS?
      YOUR $ IS GOING TO THE PARENT COMPANY- THE ONE TESTING OTHER THINGS ON ANIMALS.

      I SEE PEOPLE CONSTANTLY PRAISING * THE BODY SHOP* AS A CONSCIENTIOUS BRAND THAT IS CRUELTY FREE, AND FRANKLY, IT DESERVES ZERO PRAISE BECAUSE LOREAL OWNS IT.

      IT IS SO DISHEARTENING TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH BEHIND A MAKE UP LINE YOU LIKE…THAT THEY ACTUALLY ARE *NOT* CRUELTY FREE.

      IT IS EVEN MORE DISHEARTENING- APPALLING ACTUALLY- THAT IN THIS ERA OF OUR WORLD, WE FEEL THE NEED TO TORTURE INNOCENT ANIMALS FOR NOT JUST PRODUCTS OF VANITY- BUT ALL SORTS OF ITEMS.
      🙁

      Reply
      • December 11, 2015 at 9:07 am
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        Hi Calamity Jane,
        Welcome to my website and thank you for your insight and the info. I would certainly agree that the area of animal testing as well as animal ingredients is veiled in a lot of subterfuge and misinformation. As consumers, it is our responsibility to be as informed as possible and the make the best possible choices for the animals. Another way to reduce our use of such products is to turn to more natural products, such as baking soda for brushing teeth and apple cider vinegar as a hair rinse and conditioner. It is something I plan to look into.
        Take care,
        Anne

        Reply
    • December 10, 2016 at 12:08 pm
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      Hi Anne and Sali
      I met a UK Arbonne consultant today and asked if products were sold in China to which she said yes. I then asked her if she realised that China insists on Animal testing, she was unaware of this and insisted that the products are vegan.

      Reply
      • December 11, 2016 at 6:32 am
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        Hi Hannah, The latest info that I have from an Arbonne rep is that Arbonne is cruelty free and vegan. In any case I have sent a message to Arbonne asking them to confirm. Thank yo for bringing this up.
        “Good day, I would just like to confirm that you do not sell any of your products in China. The most recent information that I have is that your products are cruelty free and vegan. And as such, you do not submit your products to third party testing as would be the case in China.
        I look forward to hearing back from you on this matter.
        Thanks you.
        Anne”

        Reply
        • December 11, 2016 at 5:21 pm
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          Hi, thanks so much for getting back to me and for contacting Arbonne. There is so much conflicting info out there it’s so easy to become overwhelmed. I am already a vegetarian and I’m finding my way into veganism but again feel slightly overwhelmed. Looking forward to picking up tips from you. Warmest wishes Hannah

          Reply
  • October 21, 2015 at 9:04 am
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    I’m curious if Arbonne sells it’s products in China? If so, they do indeed do animal testing as much as any other as it is required by law. Avon was the first company to stop testing on animals and like many others have had to adjust to the laws set before them. I did not see any references or cited sources on your blog (maybe missed it) so that would make this just a personal opinion piece. Maybe I will start my own blog based solely on facts and unbiased opinion. I applaud you in your adventures with Arbonne and wish you well but publicly shaming another company to boost your sales seems in poor taste. It seems to be a trend with Arbonne reps. Those that appreciate facts and whole truths see right through the sales techniques and know when they are being sold. I wonder if that’s part of the training and tactics to shame not only the company but anyone that uses their product. I hope I didn’t offend just looking for facts and reliable sources. If you did site your sources and I missed it forgive me, I would love to see them. Have a great day!!

    Reply
  • October 21, 2015 at 12:09 pm
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    Hi Erma,
    Thank you for commenting on my website. I am not sure what you mean about the references. You will find them highlighted in blue in every article I publish. By clicking on them you will be directed to the information that I am referencing. The quotes in green come directly from the websites of the companies I have cited, with a link back to said website. I am not sure which company you say that I am shaming in order to boost my sales. I am not associated with Arbonne other than an interest I have in providing information to my readers about cruelty free and vegan companies. I do not sell Arbonne products, or any products for that matter and am not rewarded in any way, financial or otherwise.
    When the question of selling to China came up in another comment from another reader, I contacted the sales rep for Arbonne who confirmed for me that Arbonne does not sell in China and has just received their Vegan and Cruelty Free Certification from Leaping Bunny. I have just checked their site and do not see the Logo, so I will check once again with the sales rep about this.
    I understand and appreciate your concerns which I share with you. If you are directing your comments directly to Sherri, the Arbonne Rep, then I cordially suggest that you get in touch with her to voice your views. She has always been very open about Arbonne and its policies. You will find her co-ordinates in the body of my article.
    As per your reference to Avon, I am including a link that states that Avon does submit to animal testing in countries which require it. I hope this is helpful. http://www.snopes.com/critters/cruelty/avontesting.asp . If you have any references or info that would further educate me on this issue, I would also love to have them. My goal is to know the truth, to present it to others and to highlight companies that are vegan and cruelty free. I have no other agenda.
    Respectfully,
    Anne

    Reply
  • December 2, 2015 at 8:21 pm
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    Hi ladies,
    I Was very happy to come across this conversation. I am joining Arbonne myself in Australia and wanted more information. I thank you for all the hard work you have done and it does make me feel relieved knowing they are vegan. Also i can add they definitely do not sell in China, because I live in China. I wanted to try and sell products over there to some of my friends, however i can only give away the few handfulls i can take in my luggage. The Chinese characters you see online is from Taiwan, they do use the same language so they are the same. I hope this helps a little, as you have helped me. Thank you again.
    Kylie Brunell

    Reply
    • December 3, 2015 at 8:12 am
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      Hi Kylie,
      Welcome to my website and thank you for the positive comments and clarification about China. I have always found the Arbonne reps with whom I have I dealt to be forthcoming, open and honest. good luck with the Arbonne products.
      Take care,
      Anne

      Reply
  • December 16, 2015 at 3:27 pm
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    Hello

    I’ve been interested to read this thread. Just wanted to add my confirmation that we do not, and will not (unless their laws on animal testing change) sell in China. As pointed out above, the chinese writing is Taiwanese as we are launching in Taiwan in 2016.

    Lee x

    Reply
    • February 13, 2017 at 11:36 am
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      So great to hear about Arbonne. I’m excited to try their products now! 🙂

      Reply
      • February 17, 2017 at 9:28 am
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        Hi MJ
        I am glad the the information presented in this article was helpful.
        Take care,
        Anne

        Reply
  • December 18, 2015 at 2:30 pm
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    Hi Lee,
    Welcome to my website and thank you for the confirmation. With so many companies out there using subterfuge to sell their products it is good to know that Arbonne is being very transparent with their goals, initiatives and mission.
    The two Arbonne reps who I met before writing this article were always very up front and honest with. Are you associated with Arbonne?
    Take care and thanks again,
    Anne

    Reply
  • January 19, 2016 at 12:26 am
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    I have recently found their weight loss supplements to not be vegan. I read the word “dairy”in one of their food bars tonight and its a shame that it doesn’t even say “milk” or whatever it means. In any case, some poor calf was birthed and slaughtered for veal so that it’s mother could make milk for arbonne, that’s what dairy means.

    I have never been fat before but I was excited when I remembered how vegan this company was 8 years ago at a party I went to, No longer the case! After 3 kids I just wanted some healthy suppliments to help me lose the weight (I eat a lot of veggie spaghetti and veats).

    Reply
    • January 19, 2016 at 7:26 am
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      Hi Desiree,
      Welcome to my website and thank you for commenting.
      I agree with you that the exploitation of animals is unacceptable, with the dairy industry being one of the cruelest.
      I am surprised to hear about the dairy products in the Arbonne food bars. Would it be possible for you to send me a picture of the ingredient list and I will definitely follow up.
      The last communication I had from the Arbonne Rep was in October of 2015. Sherri sent me an image of their certification announcement as a vegan and cruelty free company. I will update the post and include the certification.
      Take care,
      Anne

      Reply
  • June 9, 2016 at 12:26 am
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    Hi Anne,
    love your post! I love that you’re sharing your experience with the world.
    I just wanted to drop in my 2 cents –
    Firstly, I work for a network marketing company similar to Arbonne called Younique.
    We also sell cosmetics, with funds from the sale going to support the Younique Foundation for Sexually Abused Women.
    I was very close to singing up with Arbonne, however – after hours of researching, I found Arbonne weren’t everything they promised to be.
    Have you ever seen a FULL list of ingredients for your Arbonne products? and I mean the FULL list, not just the main ingredients?
    Probably not.. I couldn’t find one until I contacted Arbonne Head Office! A little worrying already I thought.
    After more reading.. I came across countless articles all supporting the argument that Arbonne GreenWashes.
    Check out this article for more info:
    http://greenbeautyteam.com/features/greenwashing-cosmetics-brands/

    It’s short and sweet and to the point.
    I wanted to share what I found with you..
    Hope this post doesn’t offend you or others – no harm meant hun
    xxxxxxx

    Reply
    • June 9, 2016 at 10:23 am
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      Hi there,

      Welcome to my website and thank you for commenting. I am not familiar with Younique so am not sure if this product is vegan and cruelty free.
      The thrust of this article is about whether or not Arbonne is cruelty free and vegan and not about their purity or natural ingredients, as I did mention. I will say that the word natural in terms of marketing has no real meaning and is not regulated by any governmental body as is organic, for instance.
      I am not an Arbonne rep and am not endorsing or promoting this product, but rather providing information for people who are looking for vegan and curelty free.
      Take care,
      Anne

      Reply
      • August 13, 2017 at 11:46 am
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        Hello! I am following this article on my interest to find vegan and more healthier products. Does Arbonne use organic ingredients?

        Reply
        • August 13, 2017 at 12:35 pm
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          Hi Nancy,
          Welcome to my website. I am not really sure. It would be best to contact Arbonne directly about this. I did look on their website and found this info.

          “Our products are safe, nontoxic, and committed to being eco-friendly. We’re vigilant about the newest research regarding chemicals to ensure we’re being mindful and cautious. We proactively search for the purest, most unadulterated botanical ingredients from natural sources.”

          They stop short of saying organic, using the term natural instead.
          You may want to check out this link.

          Glad to hear that you are searching out vegan products. It is a win win for the exploited animals, for the environment and by extension, for humans.

          Take care,
          Anne

          Reply
  • October 21, 2016 at 7:41 am
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    Hi Anne,
    thank you so much for all the research you have put into this article. I am both fascinated and horrifies by all the mis-selling that goes on.

    I currently use a face cream by a company called Andalou, which is made from fruit stem cells. It has the leaping bunny logo and says it is non G.M.O. The lady in the health store where I bought it told me it is vegan and I must admit I just took her word for it. It is quite expensive for a very small jar and your article has made me want to do some research of my own into this company. I am sure that it is probably genuine but I can’t believe all the lies and subterfuge out there. Your article has highlighted this even more to me.

    I think I would rather make my own products really and would like to learn more in this area. I tried to make my own face cream out of whipped coconut oil. It is very good but is a bit oily and I’m not sure how to get rid of that. I do use vinegar and bicarbonate of soda sometimes for cleaning and would like to learn more about how everyday items such as these can be used for personal care. I use original source shower gels which do have the vegan logo and are cheap to buy. I am still looking for a good shampoo and conditioner that is vegan. If you could suggest any to me I would appreciate it.

    Thanks again

    Rachel

    Reply
    • October 28, 2016 at 10:20 am
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      Hi Rachel,

      I use many fewer personal care products than I used to,. I tend to like Nature’s Gate which is 100% vegan according to Logical Harmony, a site which I trust implicitly, http://logicalharmony.net/cruelty-free-vegan-brand-list/
      Their vegan designation means cruelty free and vegan BTW. I also use an olive oil soap on my face. it is inexpensive, lasts forever and is cruelty free and vegan. I forget the name at the moment.
      I am also interested in making my own personal and household products, but have just not found the time yet.
      Take care.
      Anne

      Reply
  • November 23, 2016 at 6:46 pm
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    What a fascinating discussion. I’ve been so interested to hear all the comments. I am not vegan (just vegetarian at the moment) but I was drawn to the Arbonne products due to the purity and effectiveness of the products. I wanted to avoid mineral oils and parabens etc as well as ensuring the products were cruelty-free. But I also wanted something to deal with my wrinkles!! I tried many vegan ranges but found them to be poor quality. Arbonne is the only range that really delivered the results I waned and ticked all the other boxes too.
    After a year of telling all my friends about it I thought I might as well join the team and earn an income. Since then I have learnt so much about the beauty industry and the truly awful things that are in most of the high street products. I am now moving more towards a vegan diet and I can definitely confirm there is no dairy in any Arbonne product. Every product is certified vegan and has the leaping bunny certification and we are all proud of this.
    Every single ingredient used in any product is listed alphabetically on the public website here: https://www.arbonne.com/discover/promise/ingredients.shtml and each product has a full ingredients list on the shopping website.
    As already said, we do not trade in China but have just launched our full range of vegan, gluten-free, pure, safe and beneficial products in Taiwan.
    I hope that helps.

    Reply
    • November 24, 2016 at 7:28 am
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      Hi Michele,
      Thank you for your input about Arbonne and welcome to my website.
      If you would like some more information about being vegan, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have.
      Take care,
      Anne

      Reply
    • February 13, 2017 at 11:38 am
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      I know that Taiwan is not China, but China thinks they are so does that mean products sold in Taiwan are tested? 🙁

      Reply
      • February 13, 2017 at 11:39 am
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        Meant to set myself on the notification and forgot. Thanks and look forward to your answer.

        Reply
      • February 17, 2017 at 9:25 am
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        Hi MJ,
        Everything that I have read says that this is not the case.
        Take care,
        Anne

        Reply
        • February 17, 2017 at 11:49 am
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          Thanks, Anne! I’ve since called Arbonne and they said they do not test, so Taiwan is good!

          I’ve been trying to find a cruelty free eyeliner and so far, cannot find anything that works for me. I just bought LIly Lolo and it’s way too creamy. Smudge all over. 🙁

          Reply
  • August 12, 2017 at 7:06 pm
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    leapingbunny.org is a list of all companies that don’t test on animals, as well as all ingredients are not tested either. Arbonne is not on that list. If they sell to China, they must test on animals, because China requires it. I only buy what is on leaping bunny.org

    Reply
    • August 13, 2017 at 10:24 am
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      Hi Carla,
      Thank you for weighing in. As I understand it, Leaping bunny is not necessarily a complete list of companies that do not test on animals. The company must make an application to receive the Leaping Bunny Certification.
      I do not know if Arbonne has made such an application.

      I do know that Arbonne has been certified cruelty free and vegan by Peta. The announcement came in 2015 and is in included in the body of my article.

      There was some confusion surrounding the issue of selling in China which we all know results in 3rd party animal testing. Arbonne sells in Taiwan, not China. Could this change in the future? Who knows?

      It is also important to note that Cruelty Free does not necessarily mean Vegan. Companies who have been certified Cruelty Free could still be using animal by products in their lines. According to Leaping bunny, it is up to the consumer to become knowledgeable and check the ingredient list before buying any cruelty free product.

      It is my goal always to buy from companies which are both cruelty free and vegan, while realizing that it is important to be up to date on those companies which are and remain so. If they change their status, then I no longer buy from them.

      Take care,
      Anne

      Reply
  • June 8, 2018 at 4:30 am
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    It’s ashame they are not vegan now

    Reply
  • October 29, 2018 at 10:05 pm
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    Anne,

    Thank you So much for this. I too saw good and bad reviews, but the bad was just too bad. I mean, like they were really looking to cut Arbonne down as much as they could. Why? I find that looking into things yourself and reading, and I mean a lot of reading, can really help make a decision on what you choose to believe. I found that Arbonne has more to give women who want vegan products. I wear contacts, and was looking for a mascara that wouldn’t burn, or come off because of tears, or watery eyes. Guess what?! I found it with Arbonne. I thank you for being honest and fair.

    Renee G.

    Reply
    • November 9, 2018 at 8:59 am
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      Hi Renee,

      Welcome to my website and thank you for weighing in here. Sounds like you had a very positive experience with Arbonne products.

      I too think that research is very important, as well as keeping an open mind to changing to what we think it is we know.

      Take care,
      Anne

      Reply
  • March 17, 2019 at 7:47 pm
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    Hi, Anne!

    Thank you so much for all of your great information! Just thought I would mention a couple of other companies that you and other folks might be interested in checking out. One is Luminance Skincare. Their products are vegan, cruelty-free, organic, and hand-crafted. The other is Phoenix K Creations. Her products are vegan, cruelty-free, organic, hand-crafted and also raw. I have used products from both companies and they are of very high quality. Phoenix K makes an excellent psoriasis/eczema oil that I use regularly. It is a relief to not have to use steroid creams. Luminance Skincare makes incredibly rich cleansing and moisturizing products. I am grateful to have found these two companies who are aligned with my values where animals are concerned.

    Peace,
    Carol

    Reply
    • March 18, 2019 at 10:19 am
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      Hi Carol,

      Wow! Thanks for the updates. Love vegan and cruelty free companies.

      Take care,
      Anne

      Reply

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