CRUELTY-FREE ALWAYS
WHAT CRUELTY-FREE MEANS AT INDIE LEE
All Indie Lee products are certified cruelty-free, meaning we do not test on animals at any stage of formulation or production. This standard has guided the brand since its founding and continues to shape how we work today.
As cruelty-free certification has become more widely adopted across the beauty industry, we remain committed to maintaining clear, independently verified standards.
THE LEAPING BUNNY STANDARD
“Cruelty-free” is not a regulated term in the beauty industry, which is why third-party certification matters. To provide clarity and accountability, Indie Lee is certified by Leaping Bunny, globally recognized as the gold standard in cruelty-free certification.
Leaping Bunny’s Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals requires brands to verify that no animal testing occurs at any stage of product development. This includes not only finished products, but also individual ingredients, suppliers, and manufacturers throughout the supply chain.
Certification is independently audited and renewed annually, ensuring ongoing compliance rather than a one-time claim. This level of oversight helps eliminate ambiguity and provides consumers with a clear, trusted standard for cruelty-free products.
“One of the first certifications I sought was Leaping Bunny, because it clearly defines what cruelty-free means.”
— Indie Lee
VEGAN VS. CRUELTY-FREE
Cruelty-free and vegan are related, but not the same. All Indie Lee products are cruelty-free, meaning they are never tested on animals.
Many of our formulas are also vegan and do not contain animal-derived ingredients. A small number of products include organic beeswax and are not considered vegan. (These products are sometimes referred to as “Beegan.”)
Our beeswax is responsibly sourced from USDA-certified organic beekeepers and harvested without harm to bees or their habitats. We use it selectively for its unique texture and performance, while maintaining the same cruelty-free standards across our entire collection.
Vegan products are clearly labeled on each product page.
WHY CRUELTY-FREE STANDARDS MATTER
Cruelty-free certification helps bring clarity to an industry where testing practices and ingredient sourcing are not always transparent. Independent standards give consumers a clear way to understand how products are developed and verified.
By choosing certified cruelty-free products, shoppers can rely on consistent, third-party–reviewed criteria rather than unregulated claims. Over time, clearer standards help raise expectations across the industry—without requiring consumers to navigate ambiguity on their own.