Cruelty-Free Hair Dye: What Leaping Bunny Certified Means

All Madison Reed products are Leaping Bunny certified – the strictest third-party standard for cruelty-free hair color and personal care. That means no animal testing is used or commissioned at any phase of product development, including at our labs and by our ingredient suppliers. Every product we make – permanent hair color, root touch-ups, shampoo, conditioner, and styling - carries the Leaping Bunny logo. Below, a plain-English guide to what that certification covers, how to tell a real cruelty-free logo from an unregulated one, and how vegan and cruelty-free differ.

 

What Leaping Bunny Certification Actually Means

The Leaping Bunny Logo is the only internationally recognized symbol guaranteeing consumers that no animal testing has been used in the development of any product with this logo on its packaging. It’s used across the globe as a guide for consumers seeking cruelty-free cosmetics and household products. Being a Leaping Bunny certified company means our cruelty-free hair color, styling products, shampoo, conditioner, hair masks, and everything we make has an international seal of approval against animal testing. The Leaping Bunny logo on our products indicates that no animal testing is used or commissioned at any phase of product development by our company, labs, or ingredient suppliers. It’s a huge deal, and we were incredibly honored to join so many other cruelty-free brands in the fight against animal testing.

Leaping Bunny was born when eight animal protection groups joined together to form the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC). The CCIC works with companies to help make cruelty-free, animal-friendly products easier for consumers to find. It also takes the guesswork out of cruelty-free shopping. If you see the internationally recognized Leaping Bunny logo on a product, you know it’s legitimately cruelty-free at every stage of product development.
In addition, Leaping Bunny helps guard against future animal testing. This makes us feel hopeful that, one day, animal testing may cease to exist. The FDA does not require it, and it has been banned in the EU. As Leaping Bunny says, “There are sufficient data as well as in vitro alternatives to make animal testing for these products obsolete.” We’re in 100% agreement. But not every brand is clear on their messaging, which is why it’s so important to read between the lines when it comes to packaging. Brands can claim “not tested on animals” or “we do not test on animals” because testing often happens at the ingredient level or is done by a contracting company. Not cool.

 

Bunny Logos, Compared: Leaping Bunny vs. PETA vs. Unregulated Claims

Not every rabbit graphic on a bottle means the same thing. In the US, "cruelty-free" and "not tested on animals" have no legal definition, so on their own they don't guarantee anything - they're only meaningful when backed by a recognized third-party certification. Here's how the major cruelty-free markers compare:

 

How to Tell If a Product Is Really Cruelty-Free

Because "cruelty-free" is unregulated, packaging can be misleading. Here's how to verify a brand's claim before you buy:

• Look for the official Leaping Bunny logo. Not every bunny is a certified bunny. The Leaping Bunny mark features a jumping rabbit surrounded by stars, with the "Cruelty-Free" or "Cruelty-Free International" wordmark. Other rabbit graphics on packaging may not represent any certification at all.

• Cross-check on the Leaping Bunny database. Visit leapingbunny.org and search the brand directly. Some certified brands don't print the logo on every product, so the database is the authoritative source.

• Watch the language alone. "Cruelty-free" and "not tested on animals" have no legal definition in the US, so on their own they don't guarantee anything. Those phrases are meaningful when they appear together with a recognized third-party certification - which is why you'll see them alongside the Leaping Bunny logo on Madison Reed packaging. If a brand uses the phrases without any certification behind them, ask more questions.

• Check the parent company. A cruelty-free brand can be owned by a parent company that tests on animals. Certification typically applies only to the certified brand itself, not to its parent or sister brands.

 

Cruelty-Free Hair Dye

Our hair color is made with ingredients you can feel good about—no ammonia, no parabens, no resorcinol, no PPD, no phthalates, no gluten, no SLS, no titanium dioxide...and no cruelty. That means caring for and protecting our furry friends by partnering with honest and transparent manufacturers with the same standards. We’re proud to feature the Leaping Bunny logo on all our packaging, so the world is fully aware of our stance on the importance of products that are truly cruelty-free. We hope you’ll join us in taking a stand against animal testing.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Cruelty-Free Hair Dye

Is Madison Reed cruelty-free?

Yes. Madison Reed is Leaping Bunny certified, meaning no animal testing is used or commissioned at any phase of product development - including by our labs and ingredient suppliers.

What does Leaping Bunny certified mean?

Leaping Bunny is the internationally recognized cruelty-free standard run by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC). Certification requires a brand and its ingredient suppliers to commit to no animal testing at any stage, with ongoing recommitment.

How can I tell if a hair dye is really cruelty-free?

Look for the official Leaping Bunny logo (a jumping rabbit inside a ring of stars) and cross-check the brand on the Leaping Bunny database at leapingbunny.org. Packaging phrases like "cruelty-free" or "not tested on animals" aren't regulated in the US on their own, so they're most meaningful when they appear alongside a recognized third-party certification like Leaping Bunny.

Is "cruelty-free" a regulated term?

No. In the US, "cruelty-free" and "not tested on animals" have no legal definition and no federal enforcement on their own. When they appear alongside a recognized certification like the Leaping Bunny logo - as they do on Madison Reed packaging - the claim is backed by an audited third-party standard. Without a certification behind them, the phrases carry less weight.

Is Madison Reed hair dye vegan?

Cruelty-free (no animal testing) and vegan (no animal-derived ingredients) aren't the same thing. Every Madison Reed product is cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified. Not every product is vegan - some formulas include naturally derived ingredients that may not be vegan. If a vegan formula is a requirement for you, check the ingredient list on the individual product page.