Cruelty-Free Products

I have been learning more and more about cruelty-free products, which has become a point of contention for Jeff and I because of his misconceptions about the nature of them. He thinks these products do not work as well as others, but I got him to agree that if it is in our power to buy a cruelty-free product without going out of the way or spending extra money, it would make sense for us to do that. I mean, literally what is the good in seeing two soaps, at the same store, same quantity, same price and not buying the animal & cruelty free one? I mean, to my mind, it seems ridiculous.

So of course, I went to Trader Joe's and instead of just searching for food and passing by the other "hippie" products (how I used to think of them), I looked at their beauty products section and was suprised (though by now I shouldn't be) to find just that - reasonably priced, cruelty-free products. I bought groceries for at least the next week, as well as shampoo, two bars of soap, toothpaste, and facial cleanser and makeup remover pads for $62. I will no longer entertain any arguments that buying this way is more expensive, it is simply false if you have access to shop at the right places.

I think one of the hardest things about shopping is knowing what to buy. I'd love for there to be a resource that says "Normally buy Aquafresh? Buy Tom's of Maine Toothpaste instead." The list of companies that tests on animals or companies that use animal products is astounding, and I can see how a normal, everyday shopper like myself may get overwhelmed. I will try to post ideas for things you can buy at your everyday supermarket, too. I mean, if it's not going to require a lot of extra work, I feel more people would be apt to do it.

Here are the products I am going to be sad to give up:

Clorox
Dial
Dove
Febreze
Garnier
Neutrogena
Ivory
Herbal Essences
Kleenex
Lysol
Tilex
Visine
Windex
Woolite
Pledge
Post-it
Playtex
Tide
Unilever

Full list of companies that do test on animals:
http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/PDF/companiesdotest.pdf

Here is what I look forward to buying more of (some of these companies use animal products, but no testing on animals):
Tom's
Trader Joe's
Clinique!
Bath and Body Works
Bumble and Bumble
CO Bigelow

Full list of companies that don't test on animals:
http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/PDF/companiesdonttest.pdf

via PETA, you should also know that Colgate-Palmolive is actively working to reform laws that require animal testing on certain products. Some of their products legally require animal testing, but they are one major company that is working against those outdated and inhumane laws.