Cruelty-Free Status of Ursa Major
Ursa Major has firmly established itself as a cruelty-free brand. Their commitment to cruelty-free practices is comprehensive, ensuring that neither their finished products nor ingredients are tested on animals at any stage. This policy extends across their entire production process and supply chain, including a strict stance against animal testing by their suppliers or any third parties.
Notably, Ursa Major’s cruelty-free commitment is not confined to specific regions but is a global standard. This includes avoiding markets like mainland China, where regulatory norms often require animal testing for cosmetics. By not selling in regions where animal testing is mandated by law, Ursa Major upholds its cruelty-free principles without geographical exceptions.
Further reinforcing their position, Ursa Major is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, providing an added layer of credibility and assurance regarding their practices. Their decision to be cruelty-free reflects a growing trend in the cosmetics industry towards more ethical and humane practices. Ursa Major’s adherence to these standards, confirmed by their certification, sets a high bar in terms of ethical considerations within the beauty industry.
However, it’s important to note that Ursa Major is not 100% vegan. While they offer some vegan options, some of their products do contain animal-derived ingredients. This distinction is crucial for consumers who strictly adhere to vegan lifestyles. Ursa Major’s approach allows them to cater to a broad range of preferences, maintaining their commitment to cruelty-free practices while offering choices for both vegan and non-vegan consumers.
In addition to their cruelty-free and vegan options, Ursa Major is a certified B Corporation, showcasing their commitment to using organic content as much as possible and responsibly sourcing their product ingredients. They also focus on sustainable packaging, using materials like PCR content and sugarcane bioresin, and are committed to reducing their single-use plastic output, aligning with modern ethical standards in product development and environmental stewardship.
Ursa Major – The Vital Statistics
| Finished Products Tested on Animals | No |
| Ingredients Tested on Animals | No |
| Suppliers Test on Animals | No |
| Third-Party Animal Testing | No |
| Sold Where Animal Testing is Required | No |
| Vegan Products | Some vegan options available |
| Cruelty-Free Certification | Certified by Leaping Bunny |
| Parent Company’s Animal Testing Policy | Not applicable (independent company) |
| Eco-Friendly Initiatives | Use of sustainable packaging, PCR content, sugarcane bioresin, carbon-neutral paper stock, plastic-negative initiative |
| Ingredients Policy | No harmful synthetics, chemicals, or parabens; use of forest-infused actives |
| Manufacturing Location | Not explicitly stated, but brand founded in Vermont, USA |
| Diversity and Inclusion Information | Not explicitly stated |
Is Ursa Major Vegan?
Ursa Major stands out for its commitment to cruelty-free practices, but when it comes to being entirely vegan, the picture is a bit more nuanced. While Ursa Major is not 100% vegan, they offer a selection of vegan-friendly options in their product line. This means that some of their products contain animal-derived ingredients.
The brand’s approach provides flexibility for a diverse customer base, catering to both vegan and non-vegan preferences. For those strictly adhering to a vegan lifestyle, it’s important to check individual product descriptions for specific vegan-friendly options.
Ursa Major’s commitment to offering some vegan products aligns with their overall ethos of using clean, nature-derived ingredients. They focus on creating products that are not only kind to animals but also harness the power of natural ingredients, offering a fresh and effective skincare experience.
In summary, while Ursa Major is not entirely vegan, they conscientiously include vegan options in their range, reflecting their commitment to ethical choices and catering to a broad spectrum of consumer needs.
Does Ursa Major Have a Parent Company?
Ursa Major operates independently and is not owned by a parent company. This independence allows the brand to uphold its own standards and values without external influence. Not being tied to a parent company that may engage in animal testing allows Ursa Major to fully commit to its cruelty-free and ethical practices. This autonomy is integral to their brand ethos, which emphasizes sustainability, quality, and transparency in all aspects of their business, from product formulation to environmental impact.
Is Ursa Major Sold or Made in China?
Ursa Major does not sell its products in mainland China, a region known for its mandatory animal testing policies on imported cosmetics.
By choosing not to enter the Chinese market, Ursa Major upholds its commitment to being a cruelty-free brand. This decision ensures that their products are not subjected to animal testing as required by Chinese regulations.
In terms of manufacturing, there is no explicit information available about whether Ursa Major products are made in China. However, the brand was founded in Vermont, USA, and emphasizes the use of natural, responsibly sourced ingredients. Their commitment to ethical practices in both sourcing and production suggests a focus on maintaining standards that align with their cruelty-free and environmentally conscious values.
Is Ursa Major Certified Cruelty-Free and Vegan?
Ursa Major is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, one of the most rigorous and respected certifications in the industry. This certification confirms that none of Ursa Major’s products or ingredients are tested on animals at any point during production, ensuring ethical practices across their supply chain.
However, when it comes to being vegan, Ursa Major is not fully certified. While they offer a range of vegan products, not all their products are vegan, as some contain animal-derived ingredients. Therefore, while they cater to vegan needs with specific products, they do not have a comprehensive vegan certification for their entire product line.
Eco-Friendly Initiatives and Sustainability
Ursa Major demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Their approach to packaging is a testament to this commitment. The brand consistently seeks ways to optimize packaging materials and production methods, maximizing the use of post-consumer recycled content and employing renewable energy in manufacturing. They have made significant strides in this area, such as transitioning their 8 fl oz bottles to contain at least 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, moving to sustainable, FSC certified paper stock for most of their secondary packaging, and producing over 90% of cartons in a carbon-neutral facility using 100% renewable energy. This focus on sustainable packaging extends to their products, with several available in recyclable glass.
Furthermore, Ursa Major proudly stands as one of the first Plastic Negative clean skincare brands. In partnership with rePurpose Global, they remove two plastic bottles from the environment for every bottle sold, underlining their commitment to “leave it better than you found it” and positively impacting both people and the planet. This initiative is part of a broader move towards more sustainable packaging alternatives.
Their commitment to sustainability is also evident in their ingredient policy. Ursa Major uses safe, clean, naturally-derived ingredients, avoiding harmful conventional chemicals. They strive to use organic content wherever possible and source ingredients responsibly, offering full disclosure of their ingredient lists, including trace ingredients.
As a certified B Corporation, Ursa Major places equal importance on treating their employees, customers, community, and environment ethically and responsibly. In 2022, they joined the B Beauty Coalition of B Corp Certified personal care and beauty brands to collaborate on creative solutions that improve the entire industry.
Their giving back initiative includes partnerships with various organizations to protect and preserve the planet and promote accessibility to the outdoors. Ursa Major has actively participated in community service, contributing to projects that support environmental and outdoor accessibility causes.
Looking to the future, Ursa Major has set ambitious goals. By 2025, they aim to update 100% of their full-size plastic products to more sustainable packaging, significantly reducing their annual plastic output. They also plan to increase their use of sustainable and recycled paper fiber and ensure that more of their ingredients meet certified organic, biodynamic, and fair trade standards. This commitment to continual improvement reflects their dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Brand Philosophy and Commitments
Ursa Major’s brand philosophy is deeply rooted in the concept of ‘True North’, which signifies purity and authenticity in their approach to skincare. They believe in formulating products with the best of nature while omitting anything harmful or superfluous, ensuring that the true essence of their ethos shines through in their products. This philosophy is evident in their commitment to creating truly clean formulas devoid of harmful synthetics, chemicals, or parabens, and using powerful, forest-infused actives to deliver real results.
The brand’s founders, Oliver and Emily, were inspired by the effects of Vermont’s natural environment on their skin and spirit. This inspiration led them to create a skincare line that is not only refreshing and effective but also infused with pure, potent ingredients found in nature. Their approach is a testament to their belief that the best skincare comes from the best of nature.
Ursa Major stands as an independent brand, allowing them to challenge industry norms and hold themselves to their own high standards. This independence enables them to only launch products they truly believe in and that meet their stringent criteria for quality and effectiveness.
Their commitment to ethical practices extends beyond their product line. As a certified B Corporation, Ursa Major is dedicated to making a positive impact on both people and the planet, going beyond financial goals to redefine success in business. This commitment is further underscored by their participation in the B Beauty Coalition, working collaboratively to improve the personal care and beauty industry.
As a brand, Ursa Major has made a dedication to not testing on animals that is comprehensive, encompassing every aspect of their production and supply chain, as evidenced by their Leaping Bunny certification. However, it’s crucial for consumers to note that while Ursa Major offers vegan options, they are not a fully vegan brand.
Ursa Major’s commitment to eco-friendly initiatives, particularly in packaging and ingredient sourcing, positions them as a conscientious player in the beauty industry. Their status as a certified B Corporation underscores a balanced approach, considering both environmental impact and social responsibility.
Their independence as a brand allows them to adhere strictly to their values without external influences. This autonomy is reflected in their decision not to enter markets like mainland China, where animal testing is required, thus maintaining their cruelty-free commitment.
While not entirely vegan, their efforts in cruelty-free practices, sustainable packaging, and responsible ingredient sourcing make them a notable choice for consumers who prioritize these values in their skincare choices when it comes to better buying.
