The number of animals annually involved in animal testing is depressingly staggering. For animal lovers, which you’d hope covers the majority of people, it certainly makes uncomfortable reading that more than 100 million are killed in US laboratories alone, according to PETA.

This killing is both inhumane and, you’d imagine, unnecessary. However, sadly, it happens – and this is why consumers must take action, wherever possible, to discourage this abhorrent practice. Here are several tips for ensuring you only buy skincare products that aren’t tested on animals.

Keep up to date with animal-friendly news

Organisations that support the protection of animals are a good starting point. If you subscribe to regular newsletters and e-shots from charities like PETA, you’ll find that they regularly review and research which brands are still testing products on animals, with some notable names included.

While boycotting these products individually might not make much difference, it’s collectively where we can hurt them. Tell your friends and family, and even shout about it online, if that’s your thing.

Look out for third-party testing

You don’t have to be a genius to work out how this nifty loophole works in the industry. Many companies may genuinely have put a stop to animal testing in their own laboratories, or even never undertaken animal-testing research of any kind.

However, that doesn’t mean that they’re not still deeply involved in it. In allowing another laboratory to do all of their testing for them, they’re performing the same level of cruelty while avoiding any of the consequences – right up until you refuse to buy their products.

Check the recipe as well as the label

In similar loophole territory, another crafty measure companies will take is to emblazon their products with the spuriously reassuring notice that ‘this finished product was not tested on animals’.

Still, reading between the blurred lines, the subtext here is that, while the product you use has never been tested on animals, the products from which it was made were. Check the product for ingredients derived from animals and often used in animal testing, in order to be completely sure of what you’re buying.

Buy vegan from here on in

Immune to loopholes and clever marketing ploys, buying vegan skincare products is your best bet for ensuring that no animals were harmed in making the product. You can find specific vegan brands or vegan skincare ranges in many stores, but not always at the most popular, high street retailers.

Tropic Skincare is a popular choice for many consumers looking for products created from sustainably sourced, natural ingredients.

Look for the Leaping Bunny

The Leaping Bunny Program has been slowly making inroads worldwide, encouraging skincare companies to get on board with the scheme’s simple, animal-friendly philosophy.

You’ll also find the logo, designed by Cruelty Free International, on a range of other cosmetics and beauty products, so be sure to look out for it whenever you consider buying a new brand or product. It hasn’t made its way into every part of the market yet, though – so, when combined with the other tips above, you should have enough information to make the right, animal-friendly choices as you shop.