After you make the switch to cruelty-free, you’ll most likely be left with a bunch of old products that were tested on animals. So what should you do with them?

Your first instinct might be to throw them away. But that might not actually be the best option. So here are my 4 tips on what you should do with old products after you go cruelty-free.

1. Research to make sure the products aren’t actually cruelty-free

Cruelty-free products have really exploded in popularity the past few years. More and more brands are taking the leap of ending animal testing. So you just might have some unsuspecting cruelty-free products hidden in the back of your shelves.

To figure this out, start by simply Googling the brand + cruelty-free. Most likely there have already been an articles or blog posts done on this brand’s animal testing policies.

If not, I recommend reviewing the brand’s website to see if they mention something on their FAQ page. You can also email the company directly and ask for their cruelty-free status.

Double checking the cruelty-free status of your old products will save you money and reduce waste if the product does actually end up being cruelty-free.

Related: How to Shop for Cruelty-Free Products

2. Finish up the products

Instead of throwing away your old products after going cruelty-free, I recommend using them up, then switching to cruelty-free alternatives.

This doesn’t make you “bad” at being cruelty-free. In-fact, this is the most ethical choice you can make. The product has already been produced and purchased, so there’s no need to have these products go to waste.

3. Give the products to somebody else

Ask your friends or family if they want any of your old products. I’ve done this before, where I purchase a bath product that I don’t end up liking it, and my mom takes it and uses it instead.

So most likely you will know someone who would love to finish off a product that you no longer use. They get to try something new, and the product doesn’t end up being wasted. A win, win!

4. Resell or donate the products

There are some cool programs like Share Your Beauty, Beauty Bus, and Project Beauty Share that donate your unopened and unexpired products to shelters, hospitals, and other like-minded charities.

If you’re looking to recoup some of the costs, you can also sell your old, unopened products on marketplaces such as Poshmark and Depop. Or find someone to swap with on Subreddits like r/skincareexchange and r/makeupexchange.

Related: The Do’s and Don’ts of Going Cruelty-Free

A Final Note

I hope that these 4 tips help you smoothly transition into being cruelty-free. Do you have any further questions? Please share them below, I’d love to help!

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