Last Updated on April 9, 2021 by Eco Elsie
When purchasing our hair and body products, we want to know that they are safe to use and that no animals or the environment are during their creation. But finding brands that fit your ethical standards can be challenging, can’t it?
Whether the ingredients that deliver silky smooth hair are vegan or ensure sustainability and fair wages, these are facts more and more consumers are considering.
But brands are not always forthcoming with that information, leaving us skulking around the web or triple-checking every ingredient to ensure it is cruelty-free and vegan?
Aside from the eyestrain and dubious trips into the dark spaces of the web, what can we do? Well, you can stick with us here at ecoelsie!
We will look at your favorite brands, helping you find the cruelty-free gems of the beauty industry, and know which ones to avoid!
Up today is haircare cult favorite OGX! Let’s find out if they are cruelty-free, vegan, and much more!
Is OGX cruelty-free?
Sadly not! OGX is not currently cruelty-free. Previously, OGX was cruelty-free but lost its status in 2015 when it began selling products in China. As of 2018, OGX has been owned by Johnson and Johnson.
While Johnson and Johnson do not test on animals, their products are sold in China, where the law requires certain cosmetic products to be tested on animals. Johnson and Johnsons state that they do not conduct any animal testing, apart from where it is required by law, meaning they are not cruelty-free.
As OGX is owned by them and sold across China, they are not considered cruelty-free. They do not have PETS or Leaping Bunny certification due to their sales in China.
At present, there is legislation being passed in China that will no longer require animal testing on imported cosmetics to take place. Should this go through and come into effect, we could see OGX re-enter the market as a cruelty-free product. Until that time, they are viewed as not being cruelty-free.
Is OGX vegan?
No, OGX is also not vegan. While OGX or Organix promotes themselves as an organic brand using the best natural products for your hair and body, their products are not 100% vegan. A complete list of ingredients is not available on their website, which is concerning.
As no ingredient list is available online, it is hard to determine what ingredients are used in the products that prevent them from being vegan.
However, as the products are not cruelty-free and tested on animals, some users would consider them non-vegan products due to the harm caused to animals in the testing process.
While their o2 range was advertised as 100% vegan, they seem to be missing from the brand’s website! It is uncertain whether the product has been discontinued, with some users still finding it through third-party sellers!
Although the range was listed as vegan, as their ingredient list for other products is not listed, or easily accessible online, OGX is regarded by many as not a vegan brand.
Is OGX an ethical company?
As OGX is not vegan and tests its products on animals in countries required by law, we would not class them as an ethical company. For the past three years, OGX has been under the parent company Johnson and Johnson, which tests on animals when legally required.
Their shampoo and conditioner bottles are listed as eco-friendly and manufactured from recycled resin from previous bottles. Their use of recycled products and an attempt to be more environmentally friendly boost their ethical standing.
OGX focuses on sustainability as a brand, launching silicone-free products and compiling with the International Fragrance Association’s global standards. They have committed to eliminating black plastic and making every bottle 100% recyclable or reusable, making them a good choice for sustainable hair care.
Along with their parent company Johnson & Johnson, OGX is working on renewable energy, removing palm oil from products, and adding full transparency to their ingredients list.
Johnson&Johnson work with Save the Children and other global organizations to combat child labor and ensure a proper education for all. Although the company has been in trouble before due to their baby powder scandal and the opioid epidemic, they seem to be making strides and commitments to becoming a more ethical company.
Does OGX test on animals?
While OGX claims that they do not test on animals, they allow their products to be sold in countries, such as China, where animal testing is required by law. This means that OGX’s products will be tested on animals, usually by a third-party company rather than the brand themselves.
OGX claims that they do not test on animals themselves; the statement on their website does not state whether third-party manufacturers test the products or ingredients before use.
It is unclear whether the products are only tested where they are legally required or if some third-party sellers or manufacturers are also testing ingredients before OGX uses them for their products.
As it stands, the law regarding animal testing in mainland China is changing. From the summer, we are expecting to see the testing of imported cosmetics on animals scrapped. The landmark change will allow brands to assert themselves as cruelty-free, especially those like OGX that were previously cruelty-free.
Currently, the brand is required to test on animals in mainland China, but by the summer, that could be set to change! Until that time, OGX does tests on animals and is therefore not considered cruelty-free or vegan.
Are OGX products toxic?
OGX prides itself on natural products that are great for your hair and body, building a reputation as an ethical and natural drugstore brand. However, there are very few natural ingredients in their products.
Without a full ingredient list, it is hard to judge, but the inclusion of chemicals does mean the products are not 100% natural and can be harmful to users. We recommend thoroughly reading each label before purchasing from OGX.
A number of their hair care products contain parabens, but OGX has since removed these along with microbeads, phthalates, and sulfated surfactants to remove toxic products and promote sustainable products.
It is hard to say whether OGX products are toxic, but removing parabens and other harmful ingredients is a step in the right direction.
