Performance artist Jacqueline Traides agreed to publicly undergo animal testing techniques to show what animals endure in cosmetics testing labs. You can check out the video of her performance below, but be forewarned: it is rather graphic.

If you’re an eco-fashionista, chances are you already opt for beauty products from companies that avoid animal testing. The sad truth is that most people aren’t aware of how we treat animals in the name of safer cosmetics, and testing doesn’t necessarily make our cosmetics safer. In fact, testing on animals can really only predict how products will affect humans in a limited way. The good news is that there are companies out there that don’t resort to animal testing.

Choosing Cruelty-Free Cosmetics

Many major cosmetics companies continue to test on animals, but there are companies out there that are cruelty free. When you’re shopping for cosmetics, look for the Cruelty-Free logo, pictured below. Here are a few cosmetics companies that say no to animal testing:

Didn’t see your favorite company on the list above? You can check out a full list of cruelty-free cosmetics companies on the Leaping Bunny website. You’ll also notice that Lush Cosmetics isn’t on that list. While the Leaping Bunny certification is a good one, not all cruelty-free cosmetics bear this label. If a company has chosen not to test on animals, though, they will often say so on their packaging. Just like a product’s ingredients list, label-reading is the key to keeping animal cruelty out of your beauty routine.

Image via Fighting Animal Testing