Is Superdrug’s Botox Vegan?

Superdrug are starting to offer Botox in store and it’s all anyone is talking about. Not only is it controversial for a high street store to offer Botox injections, it’s also controversial as this Botox is not cruelty-free. Superdrug made a name for themselves as the go-to drugstore for vegan and cruelty shoppers, so this is a bold move. Does this mean they’ve lost their cruelty free credibility? Or is this no different to them stocking the likes of animal-testing L’Oreal or Herbal Essences on their shelves?

Love Island, Love Youth

It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that Superdrug, the official sponsors of Love Island, are offering such a treatment. They already sell fake tan, false lashes and diet shakes – why is Botox now a step too far? It’s frustrating that women are still being pressured to look young and Superdrug’s new move is making Botox more accessible and arguably more acceptable. Once available in such a popular retailer, it’s possible the stigma will subside and become just as acceptable as eyebrow threading.

Is the new Superdrug Botox vegan-friendly?

Definitively no. Whilst Superdrug insist they are passionate about their cruelty free credentials for their Own Brand ranges, they are aware that that providing Botox services can appear to go against these principles. The below statement was sent to me by a Superdrug employee who claims this is Superdrug’s statement on the matter:

As Botox is a medicine, it’s required to be tested on animals during early stages. Superdrug defend their choice to work with Allergan who they claim are ‘trail blazers in developing a cruelty free test for their products’. This doesn’t cut it for me. Many brands insist that they’re working towards a better future, but these promises count for little until they’ve achieved a cruelty free status.

Should we boycott Superdrug?

We should definitely let them know our frustration. However, I would hesitate to call for a community wide boycott on the retailer. Superdrug have and continue to be a huge ally for vegans. They’ve made vegan and cruelty free products both affordable and accessible which has been a huge benefit to the cause.

This is my opinion, but let me know in the comments if you disagree and will be boycotting them. I’ll be writing the below to them, please feel free to use this as your own guide/template:

Hello,

I’ve recently seen in the news that Superdrug are looking to start offering Botox treatment in store. I’m disappointed in this for a number of reasons.

Firstly, I’ve been a loyal Superdrug consumer for many years due to your stance against animal testing as well as being a leading retailer in labelling vegan products. A lot of your moves as of late have hinted at you embracing this side of business: the pop up shop in Shoreditch, more cruelty-free brands on your shelves and an increase in ads showing off your vegan and cruelty free credentials.

I was really surprised and disappointed to see that you’ll be looking to offer Botox going forward when a lot of your more recent decisions have pointed towards a more vegan-friendly brand. To offer animal-tested procedures in store as a treatment is unethical. Whilst this is a medical procedure, it is for cosmetic rather than health gains. This goes against your ethos of cruelty-free beauty.

Secondly, it’s helping contribute to society’s pressure on women to resist the ageing process. Whilst I appreciate this is inevitable in the beauty industry, I fear that offering it casually in-store will normalise the procedure. Perhaps this move will make Botox as common place as waxing or threading. 

I really hope that you reconsider this move and think about how it may affect your relationship with the vegan market. We’re continuously growing and have really valued your support over the last few years. It’d be great to see Superdrug continue as pioneers of vegan beauty rather than contradicting your values in the interest of a cosmetic procedure.

I look forward to your response.

Kind regards, Nicole

Hope that helps

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article, let me know below if you have any queries or comments. This is a hot debate and I’d love to hear your views.

Whilst you’re here feel free to check out my other blog posts:

• Vegan Fake Tan Guide
• Let’s Stop Garnier Claiming They’re Vegan
• Bare Fashion, London’s First Vegan Fashion Show Review