Is Acure Organics Cruelty Free?

So my hair has been going through a dry spell lately and I decided it is time to finally try out Moroccan Argan Oil.  After browsing through Vitacost’s options, I decided to purchase Acure Organics 100% USDA Organic Moroccan Argan Oil.  I sent the following email to confirm their animal testing policies.

October 27, 2012:

“I see your website says that all Acure Organics products are "free from animal testing," but since the definition of animal testing seems to vary, I have some additional questions. 

Are the ingredients and/or finished products tested on animals either by your company or a third party contracted to animal test on your behalf?  Does your company direct sell to China or any other country which enforces an animal testing policy?  Is Acure Organics a subsidiary, and if so, does the parent company have the same animal testing policy?”

October 28, 2012:

“We are completely cruelty free and currently undergoing certification as such. All ingredients and finished products are cruelty free and manufactured in our facility in upstate New York. We do not sell direct to China or any other country. Acure is a brand under Better Planet Brands, 100% cruelty free.”

I was happy to receive an email that actually answered each of my questions since many responses I receive gloss over certain questions or assume that by answering one question they are truly answering them all.  I wish the email had specified who Acure Organics is receiving cruelty free certification from since, as I have previously discussed, not all lists are created equally.  Hopefully we will see them on Leaping Bunny’s List soon!

I did go ahead and purchase from this brand, but its parent company Better Planet Brands has given me some pause.  While I have found them listed as fair trade company through this website, the fact that there is no website for their company is odd to me.  The footer of acureorganics.com states,

“Acure Organics is a family owned and operated company founded on sustainable principles to provide the highest quality natural, fair trade, and certified organic skin care and personal care products that are paraben free, cruelty free, sulfate free, USDA organic and effective.”

This seems to align with other information I have gathered since I’ve discovered Kristy Guerra, who is listed as the creator of the Acure Organics line, and Jon Guerra, who is listed as manager of Better Planet Brands.

Overall I feel comfortable buying from this brand and believe they are truly a cruelty free, ethically conscious brand in many ways.  Depending on how I like my Argan Oil I will seriously considering purchasing more products from Acure Organics.