Is Herbal Essences vegan? Who owns Herbal Essences?
Hair care brand specializing in shampoos, conditioners, and styling products formulated with botanical ingredients
The short answer
Herbal Essences is owned by Procter & Gamble. Only some products are vegan. The brand or its owner sells animal-derived products. The wider brand or its owner sells animal products.
Is Herbal Essences vegan?
Some vegan linesOnly some products are vegan
Company's own statementSource: Ethical ElephantIs Herbal Essences cruelty-free?
Not cruelty-freeThe brand or its owner sells animal-derived products
Company's own statementSource: PETADoes Herbal Essences or its owner sell animal products?
Sells animal productsHerbal Essences' parent company, Procter & Gamble, tests on animals and conducts animal testing either directly, through suppliers, or third parties. P&G does not test finished consumer products unless required by law, but tests ingredients where most animal testing occurs. This means the ownership chain involves animal testing.
Who owns Herbal Essences?
Procter & GambleOwned by Procter & Gamble
Official registrySource: Cruelty-Free Kitty
Last verified 13 September 2026
Ownership chain
- Brand
Herbal Essences
- Parent company
Procter & Gamble states it does not animal test any consumer product unless required by law, but this policy applies to finished products rather than ingredients where most testing occurs. P&G is flagged by PETA for animal testing and continues testing where required by law.Company's own statement
Last verified 13 September 2026
Certifications
Leaping Bunny
activeChecked 13 September 2026 · Registry entry
Leaping Bunny: Herbal Essences is recorded as not listed.
PETA Beauty Without Bunnies
activeChecked 13 September 2026 · Registry entry
PETA Beauty Without Bunnies: Herbal Essences is recorded as certified.
What this means
Our record lists Herbal Essences as a brand of Procter & Gamble. Ownership is a separate question from how a product is made: a brand can hold its own certifications while its parent company operates under different policies.
Herbal Essences appears on 2 schemes we check: Leaping Bunny, PETA Beauty Without Bunnies. Each scheme sets its own criteria, so read the certifier's own entry, linked above, for what it covers.
On animal testing, our record for Procter & Gamble states: Procter & Gamble states it does not animal test any consumer product unless required by law, but this policy applies to finished products rather than ingredients where most testing occurs. P&G is flagged by PETA for animal testing and continues testing where required by law. We publish sourced facts and dates so you can judge them yourself; see how we verify.
Independent vegan alternatives
- AesopVeganCruelty-free
- AvedaVeganCruelty-free
- Barry MVeganCruelty-free
- Bulldog SkincareVeganCruelty-free
- ByomaVeganCruelty-free
- e.l.f. CosmeticsVeganCruelty-free
Frequently asked questions
- Is Herbal Essences vegan?
- Only some products are vegan. Recorded status: some vegan lines, last verified 13 September 2026.
- Who owns Herbal Essences?
- Herbal Essences is recorded as owned by Procter & Gamble.
- Is Herbal Essences cruelty-free?
- The brand or its owner sells animal-derived products. Recorded status: not cruelty-free, last verified 13 September 2026.
- Does Procter & Gamble test on animals?
- Our record for Procter & Gamble states: Procter & Gamble states it does not animal test any consumer product unless required by law, but this policy applies to finished products rather than ingredients where most testing occurs. P&G is flagged by PETA for animal testing and continues testing where required by law.