FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

At present there is no international standard or legislation that defines what it means for cosmetics to be vegan. Our recently launched products are 100% vegan* (“Good for skin.you.all” range, Size Up mascara, etc.). However, in some ranges we do use conventional cosmetic ingredients such as beeswax and carmine. We aim to eliminate all ingredients of animal origin by 2025.
* contain no ingredients of animal origin

In accordance with European regulations, we do not test any of our products or ingredients on animals. We are committed to developing, trialing and validating alternatives to animal testing.

During the development process, which can last up to 3 years, the majority of our cosmetics products undergo at least 20 tests: dermatological and clinical, performance evaluations by hundreds of consumers, validation by toxicology experts. These tests are carried out at 3 levels: at our suppliers’ sites, in our own quality laboratory and by independent third-party organizations. Throughout the process, the formulas are revised, if necessary, before being definitively approved.

We cannot guarantee that all our products are gluten free. Some products contain cereal extracts that may contain gluten. We recommend that our consumers with a gluten allergy or intolerance contact their doctor for any questions they may have about using cosmetics.

Each and every ingredient we use is analyzed and evaluated by a team of scientific experts, including toxicologists and legal specialists. All Sephora products are developed in line with the strictest international regulations regarding the safety of cosmetic products, and we only use the highest quality ingredients. Our products also have to comply with very strict internal development standards and product safety, quality and traceability requirements. Furthermore, our formulas are tested by independent laboratories and verified by a toxicology expert in order to guarantee consumer safety.

We pay special attention to the selection of our raw materials, in particular ingredients derived from palm oil, which we only buy from certified sustainable sources. Sephora Collection is a member of the Responsible Mica Initiative that works on the ground to develop a more responsible and sustainable industry in India. Our cotton pads are certified 100% organic. The cardboard packaging for the “Good for skin.you.all.” range comes from sustainably managed forests. By 2022, we aim to extend this requirement to all of our products that use cardboard, paper and wood.

Product quality and effectiveness have been top priorities ever since the Sephora Collection brand was created in 1996. In addition to European legislation, we comply with the strictest international regulations and our own stringent standards. Moreover, for decades now we have been actively studying the latest scientific data in order to draw up restrictive lists of molecules to ban from all of our Sephora Collection products, which we regularly update. In anticipation of future legislation, including environmental regulations, we develop our formulas in accordance with our own lists of over 1,400 ingredients that we ban or limit in our products.

Each and every ingredient we use is analyzed and evaluated by a team of scientific experts, including toxicologists and legal specialists. All Sephora products are developed in line with the strictest international regulations regarding the safety of cosmetic products, and we only use the highest quality ingredients. Our products also have to comply with very strict internal development standards and product safety, quality and traceability requirements. Furthermore, our formulas are tested by independent laboratories and verified by a toxicology expert in order to guarantee consumer safety.

Our aim is to ensure the best possible balance between product quality, effectiveness and sensory appeal. To achieve this, we use the most effective preservatives in order to prevent microbial contamination. Phenoxyethanol is one of the preservatives we use. However, we are working to replace this ingredient with an alternative in our current products and future launches.

The main synthetic ingredients that we use are preservatives, which ensure our products remain safe over time, and gelling and emulsifying agents, which stabilize formulas.

In Europe it is mandatory to list fragrance allergens in the list of ingredients if their concentration in the formula exceeds a certain percentage. You can therefore check the list of ingredients on our product webpages or on the products themselves. We recommend that our consumers with allergies or intolerances contact their doctor for any questions they may have about using cosmetics.

At Sephora Collection, we choose our partners extremely carefully and deal with them directly. Over the years, we have established a network of experts in various fields. 80%* of our partners’ production sites are in Europe. For masks, brushes and accessories, we have developed partnerships with suppliers in Asia, particularly in South Korea and Taiwan, which are experts and leaders in these technologies.
*Based on the number of products in our 2019 range

At Sephora Collection, we choose our partners extremely carefully and deal with them directly. We only work with companies that share our values and commitments. Our suppliers have to comply with our quality, safety, social and environmental standards. We regularly assess supplier performance by means of audits carried out by independent third-party organizations.

At Sephora Collection, we choose our partners extremely carefully and deal with them directly. Over the years, we have established a network of experts in various fields. 80%* of our partners’ production sites are in Europe. For masks, brushes and accessories, we have developed partnerships with suppliers in Asia, particularly in South Korea and Taiwan, which are experts and leaders in these technologies.
*Based on the number of products in our 2019 range

As a Sephora brand, our products are available in all Sephora stores, in 37 countries, including China. Product safety legislation in China differs from that of other countries. For imported products, the Chinese authorities are entitled to decide whether or not to test cosmetic products on animals, irrespective of the brand. The PETA database lists brands that sell in China.

The Sephora Collection products are available from the Sephora websites and Sephora stores, which can be found in 37 countries around the world.

For several years now, we have been careful to consider the environment when developing our packaging, and are continually seeking to reduce its environmental footprint. We have made progress in a number of areas: all of the packaging for our “Good for skin.you.all” range, which was launched in 2019, is eco-friendly (plastic derived from sugarcane waste, recyclable glass, recycled plastic, etc.), and we have launched our first bottle made from 100% recycled plastic. Our goal is to reduce plastic use by 20% and completely eliminate petroleum-based virgin plastics by 2025. The long-term goal is to make our ranges fully recyclable or reusable.

Whether or not our packaging is recyclable varies from country to country, and sometimes even from region to region. However, paper, cardboard and glass packaging can be recycled in most countries.

The “Period After Opening” (PAO) indicates the period of time after opening for which the product can be used without any harm to the consumer. The information is given by an open pot symbol with a number on or alongside it. 6M = use within 6 months of opening. 12M = use within 12 months of opening. Some products may not have a PAO symbol, e.g. single-use products or aerosols.

All Sephora products are developed in accordance with the strictest regulations, and our formulas are tested by independent laboratories and verified by a toxicology expert to ensure they are safe for use by adults. However, no specific tests are carried out to assess safety for pregnant or breastfeeding women. We therefore advise customers to consult a medical professional for advice on using cosmetic products during pregnancy.

We do not currently develop or test our products with a view to their use by vulnerable populations. We recommend that you consult a medical professional if you have any questions about using cosmetic products in this context.