What does cosmetics esting on animals mean?
All sorts of cosmetic and toiletry products and ingredients are tested on animals, such as perfumes, shampoos, toothpastes, hair dyes, skin creams, make-up or deodorants. The most common tests are eye tests, skin tests and oral toxicity: • Eye tests: substances are dripped into the eyes of conscious rabbits, who are usually immobilised in stocks, and the resultant damage to the eye – such as swelling, reddening and blindness – is scored according to severity. • Skin tests: substances are applied to the shaved and abraded back of a laboratory animal (usually a rabbit, guinea pig or hamster) and the skin damage – such as cracking, bleeding or ulceration – is scored. • Toxicity tests: animals are dosed, once or repeatedly, with a substance either by oral-gavage (through a tube directly into the stomach) or forced inhalation, so that the resultant toxicity (poisoning) effects on the animal can be noted. Why is there no need for cosmetics animal testing? There are between 8,000 and 10,000 c
