Is Urban Decay vegan? Who owns Urban Decay?
The short answer
Urban Decay is owned by L'Oréal S.A.. Only some products are vegan. The brand or its owner sells animal-derived products. The wider brand or its owner sells animal products.
Is Urban Decay vegan?
Some vegan linesOnly some products are vegan
Company's own statementSource: Urban DecayIs Urban Decay cruelty-free?
Not cruelty-freeThe brand or its owner sells animal-derived products
Company's own statementSource: PETADoes Urban Decay or its owner sell animal products?
Sells animal productsWhile Urban Decay itself does not manufacture or prominently market standalone animal-derived products, multiple sources document that some of its product formulations contain animal-derived ingredients including honey and carmine. However, the primary concern regarding animal products relates to the ownership chain: L'Oréal (parent company, acquired 2012) has a complex animal-testing relationship. L'Oréal claims it does not test on animals itself, but PETA lists L'Oréal as a company that pays for animal testing in jurisdictions where it is legally required (specifically China), although L'Oréal states that most products sold in China are no longer subject to these requirements as of 2014.
Who owns Urban Decay?
L'Oréal S.A.Owned by L'Oréal S.A.
Official registrySource: ZooBop
Last verified 13 September 2026
Ownership chain
- Brand
Urban Decay
- Parent company
L'Oréal's publicly stated position is that it does not conduct animal testing itself and ceased testing products on animals in 1989. The company claims to be committed to animal-free testing and has invested in alternative methods. However, PETA lists L'Oréal as a company that tests on animals because it pays for animal testing in compliance with Chinese legal requirements when selling cosmetics in mainland China. L'Oréal states that since 2014, many products sold in China (including makeup, shampoo, and body wash) are no longer required to undergo animal testing due to regulatory changes.Company's own statement
Last verified 13 September 2026
- Ultimate owner
Animal-testing position not yet verified.
Last verified 13 September 2026
Certifications
Leaping Bunny
activeChecked 13 September 2026 · Registry entry
Leaping Bunny: Urban Decay is recorded as not listed.
PETA Beauty Without Bunnies
activeChecked 13 September 2026 · Registry entry
PETA Beauty Without Bunnies: Urban Decay is recorded as certified.
What this means
Our record lists Urban Decay as a brand of L'Oréal S.A., which sits under L'Oréal S.A. (ultimate owner). 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.
Urban Decay 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 L'Oréal S.A. states: L'Oréal's publicly stated position is that it does not conduct animal testing itself and ceased testing products on animals in 1989. The company claims to be committed to animal-free testing and has invested in alternative methods. However, PETA lists L'Oréal as a company that tests on animals because it pays for animal testing in compliance with Chinese legal requirements when selling cosmetics in mainland China. L'Oréal states that since 2014, many products sold in China (including makeup, shampoo, and body wash) are no longer required to undergo animal testing due to regulatory changes. 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 Urban Decay vegan?
- Only some products are vegan. Recorded status: some vegan lines, last verified 13 September 2026.
- Who owns Urban Decay?
- Urban Decay is recorded as owned by L'Oréal S.A., which is itself owned by L'Oréal S.A. (ultimate owner).
- Is Urban Decay cruelty-free?
- The brand or its owner sells animal-derived products. Recorded status: not cruelty-free, last verified 13 September 2026.
- Does L'Oréal S.A. test on animals?
- Our record for L'Oréal S.A. states: L'Oréal's publicly stated position is that it does not conduct animal testing itself and ceased testing products on animals in 1989. The company claims to be committed to animal-free testing and has invested in alternative methods. However, PETA lists L'Oréal as a company that tests on animals because it pays for animal testing in compliance with Chinese legal requirements when selling cosmetics in mainland China. L'Oréal states that since 2014, many products sold in China (including makeup, shampoo, and body wash) are no longer required to undergo animal testing due to regulatory changes.