All cosmetic products and ingredients are tested before they are made available to humans. Most of the cosmetics you and I use are subjected to various tests before they are available in the market. Mostly they are tested on animals. So let us discuss about what cosmetic companies test on animals. What are these tests and how they affect the animals?
Cosmetic Animal Testing
Cosmetic animal testing uses nonhuman animals in experiments. Most of the animals are killed after they are used in an experiment. Usually, the tests cause intense burning, itching and pain and can leave the subjects ulcerated and burning. NAVS reports that this test is not only inhumane but also very costly.
What Cosmetic Companies Test on Animals?
Cosmetic formulas and ingredients are subjected to various animal tests. Some of the primary tests are listed below.
Draize Test
This test was devised in 1944 by the FDA toxicologist John H. Draize. Mostly albino rats are used for this test, which have a more sensitive skin than humans. Patches of the specimen under study are placed on the skin of the animals and readings are taken at 24 and 72 hours. This procedure is used to determine dermal irritation. For the skin version of the test, the animals’ fur is shaved and several layers of the skin are removed before the substance under study is applied. The abraded area is covered with a plastic sheeting.
Eye Irritancy Test
This test involves albino rabbits again. This test is done to see what happens if cosmetic gets into the eye. Readings are taken at 24, 48, 72 hours and can go up to 7 days. The eyelids of the rabbits are held open with clips to prevent them from blinking away the test solutions. This definitely is a very painful test.
Guinea Pig Maximization Test
The sensitizing potential of an ingredient is measured through this test. It involves injecting the compound under the skin followed by topical application.
There are few protests and campaigns against the use of animal testing for cosmetics. There are few companies that claim that they do not do animal testing. But I do not know how far their claims are true. But in reality, there are no suitable alternatives for some types of tests. Until there are alternatives that prove that the products are safe, animal testing should not be banned. Scientists argue that human lives are more important than animals and that even they are looking forward for better alternative tests. But until then, banning animal testing seems unethical.
In this article, I have just given a brief about what cosmetic companies test on animals. Some people are for it and some people are not for it. But the ultimate aim is that the cosmetic products and ingredients should be safe to humans. Thus, the companies claim their tests justified, as it is for the greater good.
What are your thoughts on animal testing? Please leave a comment below.
