has Benefit just gone cruelty free? (2026)
I feel like it’s been ages since we’ve had a big brand go cruelty-free, so I’m not that surprised that the internet’s treated the news with suspicion! My DMs have been going crazy with people asking if it’s true… Are Benefit now on our cruelty-free safe list?
So let’s get to it! Have Benefit gone cruelty-free? Do they have vegan ranges? Are there any other concerns around the brand that might have us boycotting? Grab a cuppa, let’s get into it…
This post contains affilaite links.
is Benefit cruelty-free?
as of April 2025: yes!
Benefit Cosmetics is now certified by Cruelty Free International – aka one of the most rigorous, independently verified cruelty-free programmes globally. This is absolutely the accreditation you’d hope to see when a major brand decides to properly shift its animal testing stance. Very good!
However… Benefit is owned by LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), who acquired the brand in 1999. While Benefit itself is now cruelty-free, LVMH still is not. So whether you choose to support the brand may come down to your stance on parent companies.
Is Benefit BDS safe?
Additionally, some consumers choose to avoid LVMH more broadly due to wider ethical concerns, including reported ties to Israel (though it’s not on the official BDS list) – so that may also factor into your decision.
are Benefit products vegan?
Sad to report, their vegan ethics are vague at best.
Benefit Cosmetics doesn’t clearly label which of their products are vegan – not on product pages, and not in their FAQs.
So if you’re trying to shop vegan, your best bet right now is to contact their customer service directly for specific products. It’s not ideal, but the more people ask, the more pressure there is for better transparency and labelling.
alternatives to Benefit…
Between unclear vegan labelling and the parent company situation, I’ll personally be skipping Benefit for now. If you’re looking for similar products with clearer ethics, here are some strong alternatives:
for that “Benefit but vegan” feel
- Milk Makeup – fully vegan and cruelty free. Less cutesy, but great performance:
- Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer → smooth, pore-blurring base
- KUSH Big Hit Volumizing Mascara → bold, fluffy lashes
- Makeup Revolution – big on dupes, clearly labels vegan products
- Revolution Pore Blur Primer → similar pore-minimising on a budget
- Revolution Mega Bronzer → shade ‘01 cool’ is a good swap for Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer
if you’re looking for a vegan Benetint
- Ere Perez – their Beetroot Cheek & Lip Tint is a great swap for Benetint
- Violette_FR – their Lip Nectar and Plume Lip both double up beautifully as cheek colour
if you want a slightly more “grown-up glow”
- Glossier – minimal, skin-first, sheer tints (vegan options)
- Rare Beauty – soft glam, liquid blushes (fully vegan)
final thoughts
It is genuinely great to see Benefit Cosmetics become cruelty-free. Moves like this show that consumer pressure works and every brand that makes the switch is a step in the right direction.
That said, for me, the lack of vegan transparency and the connection to LVMH means I won’t be buying from them right now.
Where you land will depend on your own boundaries, I just hope that this post has helped you make a more informed decision!
If you want to keep up with vegan beauty news, brand updates, and cruelty-free swaps, you can sign up to my free weekly newsletter ✨