On May 20th, 2019 news leaked out that Wet N Wild has been selling in China for some time. A cruelty-free consumer had seen a Wet N Wild display inside of a Watson’s located in Shanghai, the largest drugstore in China with over 3,000 locations. You can read more about that here. This caused a lot of confusion because cruelty-free consumers have been using Wet N Wild products for so long, thinking they are a trusted brand. However, that may not be the case after all.
It has been confirmed that Wet N Wild does in fact sell in China, and they have been since August 2017.
The following statements on different Chinese outlets confirm that Wet N Wild entered the Chinese market in 2017. Each statement has been roughly translated to English.
Source: Chinese Fashion Channel
Dated 9/11/2018: “Since wet n wild entered the Chinese market in 2017, we have captured a large number of loyal users in just over a year with high-quality products and close to the people’s prices. We have accumulated more than 10 million consumers and are deeply loved by consumers. . In the future, wet n wild will cover more than 3,000 stores in China, allowing more Chinese consumers to discover and enjoy the wild charm of wet n wild colors.”
Source: Chinese news outlet
Dated 9/16/2018: “American makeup brand wet n wild officially entered Watsons from August 23, and the full range of products are on sale.”
Source: Consumer in China on a social media channel
Dated 1/26 (year unknown): “Watsons has introduced a number of popular brands abroad, such as mistine, wet n wild, and more secure than looking for a purchase on the Internet!”
How did this happen? Continue reading to learn more about Wet N Wild’s timeline of entering the Chinese market.
Wet N Wild removed from Leaping Bunny certified database and added to PETA’s in 2016.
In 2015, Wet N Wild (listed as Markwins, the parent company) became Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free. To be Leaping Bunny certified, a brand must abide by the following:
- They do not test on animals during any part of production
- They do not order materials from any third party vendor who tests on animals
- They do not have third parties test their products on animals on their behalf
- They do not sell their products in countries that require animal testing (i.e. mainland China)
I reached out to Leaping Bunny about why Markwins is no longer on their list. They confirmed to me that in 2016, Markwins did not recommit to their cruelty-free standards, so they were removed from Leaping Bunny’s list. Then in 2017, Wet N Wild was first being sold in China.
Also in 2016, I’m assuming after not recommitting with Leaping Bunny, Wet N Wild became PETA certified cruelty-free. To be PETA certified, a brand must abide by the following:
The brand must pledge not to test on animals anywhere in production. The brand’s ingredient suppliers must pledge to the same statement.
Wet N Wild remains PETA certified to this day, and has this statement on their website:
No where in this statement does it mention whether or not they sell in countries where animal testing is required by law.
Wet N Wild products have always been made in China, which does not require animal testing. But if they are sold in China, they cannot be certified as a cruelty-free brand by the Leaping Bunny standard.
PETA is known for certifying brands that are made and sold in China, because PETA believes that brands have a way around animal testing if the products are made in China (Dove and Herbal Essences for example). However, this is not the case, and any brand sold in China, regardless of place of manufacture, is still subject to post-market animal testing. You can read more on China’s animal testing laws here.
This explains why Markwins went from being Leaping Bunny certified (the golden standard) to PETA certified, because PETA allows them to sell in China if their products are made in China.
Does Wet N Wild sell in China?
The answer is yes. Wet N Wild does sell in China, as spotted by a cruelty-free consumer, written in multiple Chinese news outlets stating that Wet N Wild is now sold in Watson’s stores since August 2017, and Wet N Wild (under Markwins) lost its Leaping Bunny certification in 2016, before the expansion into China. This is not something that I take lightly and I would not release this if it weren’t true. But it has been confirmed that they do indeed sell their products in stores in China.
Wet N Wild has yet to release a statement regarding the news outbreak, so I reached out to Watsons, the drugstore chain in China where Wet N Wild is allegedly being sold. They immediately admitted that Wet N Wild is available in multiple Watsons stores in Shanghai. See their response below:
8:00PM UPDATE: Wet N Wild just released a statement saying that they are voluntarily and completely aware of selling in China.
I was hoping that this wasn’t going to be another Dove or Herbal Essences incident but unfortunately it is. Since the law changed in China in 2014, brands believe that because their products are made in China, that if they’re sold in China, they can bypass any animal testing. Unfortunately that is not true. All brands, regardless of where they are manufactured, are subject to post market animal testing. There is currently no way to sell in stores in China and be cruelty-free.
Wet N Wild is not cruelty-free. What now?
It is devastating for the cruelty-free community to learn that one of the most popular, affordable, and quality drugstore brands is not cruelty-free, but it is not the end of the world. There are several drugstore makeup brands that deserve our support and can offer an alternative. I have listed them below. Each brand also has several vegan options.
- Milani
- Pacifica Beauty – 100% Vegan
- Makeup Revolution
- e.l.f – 100% Vegan
- Flower Beauty
- Essence Cosmetics
- Colourpop
- ORLY
- Pixi By Petra
the top 10 Wet N Wild products!
I also have a full list of cruelty-free drugstore brands that may help you find an alternative. If you are in need of a specific product alternative, let me know via Facebook, Instagram or comment below and I will be happy to help. I hope in time Wet N Wild will realize that selling in China, while profitable in that market, will not be worth it to lose their cruelty-free status.
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XO, Stephanie
P.S. Despite this setback in the cruelty-free movement, do not let this discourage you. We are still making a lot of progress to end animal testing. Many organizations are working with Chinese authorities to approve alternative testing methods. In 2014, China positively changed their regulations. In 2019, China positively changed their regulations. Illinois is working on banning the sale of animal-tested cosmetics by 2020, just like California and Nevada. Australia and Canada banned animal testing in the entire country, like all of Europe. We are making progress. Keep fighting the good fight. If brands want to sell in China, let them and don’t support them. Hopefully one day they won’t have a choice but to be cruelty-free because it will be banned worldwide.
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