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Dierproeven voor cosmetica zijn verboden. Dit is wat het verbod niet dekt.

Animal testing for cosmetics is prohibited. This is what the ban does not cover.

by Michaël Hutsebaut in Mayteo's Blog

You turn a bottle over and see a little bunny. Or you read "not tested on animals" on the front. And you think: good, that’s sorted.

And it is. Mostly.

Animal testing for cosmetics is prohibited in Europe. The testing ban has been in effect since 2004, the sales ban since 2013. You cannot sell cosmetics here if the product or its ingredients have been tested on animals, even if that test took place outside of Europe. That is a good law, and it came about because people demanded it.

Because it is the law for everyone, the claim "we do not test on animals" on European packaging actually says very little. Every brand on that shelf is required to comply. It isn’t a choice; it is the minimum standard.

But the ban has a loophole. And that loophole has a name, a date, and a lawsuit.

The loophole

In 2018, the European Chemicals Agency asked a manufacturer to conduct animal tests on two UV filters used exclusively in cosmetics. Not to protect you as a user, but to assess the risk for the workers manufacturing the substance in the factory.

The manufacturer refused. Aren't animal tests for cosmetics forbidden? It went to appeal, and then to the European Court of Justice. The court ruled in favor of the agency.

The reasoning is legally sound but strange to the ordinary reader. Cosmetics legislation protects the end user. The factory worker does not fall under this; they fall under chemical legislation. Thus, the ban only covers the tests necessary to prove the product's safety for you. Everything else falls outside of it.

In plain language: an ingredient used only in face cream or sunscreen can still be tested on animals, and that is legal.

How often this happens

In 2021, researchers searched the entire European chemicals database. They found 413 substances used exclusively in cosmetics. Of these, 63 had still been tested on animals after the ban, in 104 tests.

And then the part that is hardest to believe: the names of those 63 substances were not published. The researchers deliberately omitted them to avoid identifying the companies.

So you cannot check it. Not because it is a secret, but because no one is telling you. That is the gap between what is on the packaging and what is still permitted behind the scenes.

The three we do know

Three substances are known by name because there have been lawsuits or official decisions regarding them. And all three are sun filters.

Homosalate and ethylhexyl salicylate are the two from the lawsuit mentioned above. According to animal welfare organizations, this involved about 5,500 animals in total. Both names are simply listed on the ingredient labels of sunscreens, as homosalate and ethylhexyl salicylate.

Bemotrizinol is the third. In this case, it was not Europe but the American regulator that demanded animal testing for approval on the US market, despite the substance having been used in Europe for twenty years. Same mechanism, different regulator, same result.

Three substances, three times sun protection. That is no coincidence. UV filters are the category for which the strictest safety questions are asked, and thus the category for which a regulator is most likely to request an animal test.

Where we stand

This is the moment to say where we stand ourselves, because we believe you should be able to know that before you believe us.

All our products fall under the COSMOS standard and are certified by ECOCERT. That standard prohibits the product from being tested on animals by the manufacturer or by a third party engaged by them, and it is audited externally, from the ingredients to the final product.

And our sun protection works exclusively with mineral filters, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. No homosalate, no ethylhexyl salicylate, no bemotrizinol, nor any other chemical UV filter. This applies to our SPF50 stick without tint, the SPF50 stick with tint, and the liquid SPF30.

We didn't know this story when we made that choice. We chose mineral filters because we set stricter standards than the law requires, even when an ingredient is perfectly permitted. Sometimes it becomes clear in hindsight why that matters.

Things are moving

More than a million Europeans signed a citizens' initiative about this exact loophole. On June 1, 2026, the European Commission presented a roadmap to phase out animal testing in the safety assessment of chemicals, with 22 actions and a public dashboard coming later this year. By 2029, legislation should be adapted so that unnecessary animal testing disappears.

That is real progress, and it happened because citizens asked for it. It just takes a few more years. Until then, the loophole remains, and we will continue to monitor it. As soon as that dashboard is live, you will find what is on it here.

How you can check it yourself

You don’t have to take our word for it. You can do it yourself in two minutes.

Step 1. Turn your sunscreen over. Look for homosalate and ethylhexyl salicylate in the ingredient list. If they are on it, you now know something about those substances that the packaging doesn't tell you. It says nothing about the safety of the product for you. It says something about how it came to be.

Step 2. Look up the brand in a certification list. The two largest are the Leaping Bunny program and the PETA list. A certification label looks beyond the law: at the entire company, at every raw material, with a fixed cut-off date, annual declarations from every supplier, and an independent audit. If a brand isn't listed, it doesn't automatically mean testing is taking place. It means they haven't undergone the check.

Step 3. Look at the logo on the packaging. A logo from an independent certifier means that someone other than the brand has checked the formula. A sentence on the front means that the brand is saying it itself. That difference is never explained on the packaging, and it is precisely the difference that matters.

In closing

This is not a call to empty your cupboards. If you didn't know, you couldn't have changed anything about it. And products that meet European law are safe for your skin; that is not what this is about.

It is about the fact that you can know. That is why we always show the full ingredient list, explain what a certification does and does not mean, and say so when we cannot prove something. So that you can judge it yourself instead of having to take our word for it.

And if that gives you peace of mind, we have done our job well.

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Be honest: do you also have a bathroom cabinet full of products you don't really understand? A serum here, a toner there, and three different moisturizers you no longer know when to use. You are certainly not alone. Good skincare sometimes seems more complicated than it is. The beauty industry wants you to believe you need dozens of products, but the truth is much simpler. Your skin only has a few basic needs, and once you understand them, you'll know exactly which products truly make a difference. In this tutorial, we will walk you through skincare step by step. You'll learn which ingredients really work, which products you can skip, and how to build a simple routine that suits your skin. No complicated jargon, no overwhelming lists, just practical explanations you can immediately apply. Whether you're new to skincare or just want to reset, after reading this article, you'll know exactly what your skin needs. 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This also ties into an interesting finding: recent consumer research shows that 46.6% of people primarily experience their skincare routine as a moment of self-care, not an aesthetic obligation. A routine that feels like something you do for yourself is a routine you'll stick with. And that, more than any ingredient, is what makes the difference for your skin in the long run. Three ingredients that really make a difference (explained without jargon) Now that you know how your skin works and how to build a basic routine, it's time to take a moment to consider what's actually in those products. Because an ingredient list sometimes contains dozens of names that sound like a chemistry lesson. You don't need to know them all. But three of them are worth understanding, because they do something that really matters. Ceramides: the glue of your skin barrier Imagine your skin as a brick wall. The skin cells are the bricks, and ceramides are the cement between them. They are naturally present in the outer layer of your skin and ensure that this layer remains firm, supple, and permeable to moisture. Without enough ceramides, small gaps appear in that wall, causing moisture to evaporate and irritating substances to penetrate more easily. This then feels like dryness, tightness, or skin that reacts quickly to everything. The skin produces ceramides itself, but that production decreases with age and can also be disrupted by cold, aggressive cleansers, or skin that is naturally sensitive. For dry, sensitive, and mature skin, ceramides are therefore particularly relevant, as they supplement what the skin itself is less able to maintain. On an ingredient list, you can recognize them by names such as ceramide NP, ceramide AP, or ceramide EOP. If you see these, you know that the product actively supports your skin's barrier function. 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Combination skin is in between: oily zones in the center of the face, drier cheeks. And then there's sensitive skin, which reacts quickly to products, cold, wind, or a stressful week with redness, a burning sensation, or itching. This is not a weakness in your skin, but a signal that its barrier needs extra attention. A quick self-test: cleanse your face with a mild product, pat dry, and wait half an hour. Does your skin feel tight? Then it tends towards dry. Does it shine? Then rather oily. A combination of both? Combination. Does it react regularly to products or environmental factors? Then it likely has sensitive traits. What every skin needs For dry skin, ceramides (the "glue" between your skin cells, as explained earlier) and nourishing plant oils are the best friends. They help retain moisture and strengthen the barrier from within. For sensitive skin, less is often more. Choose fragrance-free products, as perfume is one of the most common triggers for irritation. Niacinamide (that calming vitamin B3 ingredient) is excellent here. Avoid high concentrations of aggressive active ingredients, especially at first. Mayteo's range for sensitive skin, including a completely fragrance-free line for people with highly reactive skin, is precisely tailored to this need. For mature skin, ceramides are relevant again, supplemented with bakuchiol (the plant-based alternative to retinol) and hydrating serums that support skin structure. Your skin changes, and your routine can change with it Skin types are not fixed forever. Seasons have a major influence: in winter, even normal-oily skin sometimes needs extra hydration, while a light summer consistency falls short in the colder months. Stress, hormonal fluctuations, and age all play a role. It pays to review your routine at least twice a year, at the transition from summer to winter and vice versa. A brief note on the littlest ones Baby skin deserves a separate mention, as it is fundamentally different from adult skin. It is thinner, more sensitive, and has a different pH value. Adult products, even mild variants, are therefore not automatically suitable for babies. Mayteo's Luna Baby line is COSMOS Organic-certified and dermatologically tested, and specially developed for the skin of newborns and young children. Skincare as self-care: why that difference matters Why do you do skincare, actually? It's a fair question, and the answer might be different than you think. Research shows that 46.6% of consumers primarily experience their skincare routine as a way to feel good, not to look different. That's a beautiful shift. Skincare is increasingly less an aesthetic obligation, and increasingly more a daily moment of self-care. Not as a luxury, but as something ordinary and concrete: a moment to pause, to feel, to be present. This also aligns with broader signals. Self-care is consistently higher on the agenda, and more and more people are seeking that peace at home instead of outside. The rise of the 'home as a spa' concept is a sign of this: people want a moment of calm in their own bathroom, not necessarily ten new products. And that's where something interesting lies. Because that moment of peace has nothing to do with how many bottles are on your shelf. It has to do with the quality of the moment itself. A routine of two or three products that you understand, that feel good on your skin, and that you use consistently, does more than a complicated system you abandon after a week. Less is more, if it feels good. That is also the core of how Mayteo views skincare. Plant-based formulas, honest about what they do and what they don't, without exaggerated promises. No spectacular claims, but products that support your skin without overtaxing it. This fits a conscious, calm approach, for people who want to understand what they are using. Skincare doesn't have to be a complicated system. Be curious about what's in those bottles, how your skin reacts, and how that feels. That curious, attentive moment, that's actually the beginning of good skincare. Ready to discover more? Here's how to take the next step You can take three things away from everything you've read here: your skin works best when you support its barrier instead of overloading it, a good routine doesn't have to be complicated, and honest products with recognizable ingredients do more for you than a cabinet full of promises. Want to discover more? On mayteo.com you'll find the full ingredient list for each product, and with the routine builder you can discover which products suit your skin. And if your skin is extra sensitive, or if you have children, the Luna Baby line is a great place to look further, with mild formulas that are transparent about what's inside. The ultimate goal? Not perfect skin. Just skin that you understand a little better, and that you feel comfortable in. Conclusion Good skincare really doesn't have to be complicated. Remember the key lessons from this article: your skin benefits from a simple basic routine, the right ingredients make more of a difference than the quantity of products, and less is often more. Moreover, every skin is different, so listen to what your skin needs instead of blindly following trends. Now it's time to take action. Start today by tidying your bathroom cabinet and keeping only the products that truly serve a purpose. Build your routine from the ground up and only add what's necessary. Your skin will thank you for the simplicity. With the right knowledge and a little patience, you'll achieve better results than ever, without stress and without spending a fortune.

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