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Beauty Without Cruelty

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**History and Impact of Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC):**
– Founded in 1959 in England by Muriel, Lady Dowding
– Investigated cruelty in fur and cosmetic trade
– Introduced synthetic alternatives to fur and cruelty-free cosmetics
– Established branches globally and expanded to include independent cruelty-free cosmetic companies
– Exposed cruelty in fur production and cosmetic ingredients/testing
– Published findings in brochures listing cruelty-free products
– Developed the first range of cruelty-free cosmetics and 100% vegetable soap
– Opened boutiques worldwide, published a journal, and collaborated with animal welfare organizations

**Animal Welfare Advocacy by BWC:**
– Promoted cruelty-free alternatives in cosmetics
– Raised awareness through media and public events
– Encouraged compassion towards all living beings
– Expanded globally to reach more people with cruelty-free products
– Advocated for ending cosmetic animal testing
– Associated with Compassion in World Farming

**BWC Charities and Cosmetics Today:**
– BWC Charities operate in India and South Africa focusing on animal exploitation issues
– BWC Cosmetics is an independent British company manufacturing vegan products not tested on animals
– Advocates for ending cosmetic animal testing and supports legislation for the same
Beauty Without Cruelty aims to offer humane alternatives to cruel practices
– Products are cruelty-free, certified by relevant organizations, and free of harmful chemicals
– Relies on supporter donations in South Africa

**Legislation, Regulations, and Advocates in Animal Welfare:**
– The Humane Cosmetics Act aims to end animal testing for cosmetics
– Various countries have banned animal testing in cosmetics
– Public support for laws against animal testing in beauty products
– Advocates like Carol J. Adams, Aysha Akhtar, Steven M. Wise, Richard D. Ryder, and Paola Cavalieri are prominent in animal welfare
– Regulations evolving to prioritize animal welfare in cosmetics

**Historical Perspectives on Vegetarianism and Influential Figures in Animal Welfare:**
– Early writings and authors advocating for vegetarianism and animal rights
– Historical figures promoting vegetarianism for health and ethics
– Influential figures like Henry Stephens Salt, Rynn Berry, Helen Nearing, Scott Nearing, Valluvar, and Howard Williams emphasized ethical treatment of animals and sustainable living.

Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) was founded as an educational charitable trust in England in 1959 by Muriel, the Lady Dowding (1908–1993), past president of the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) and wife of Lord Dowding (1882–1970), the former commander-in-chief of RAF Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. It investigated and exposed the brutality inflicted on animals in the fur and cosmetic trade and led the way in the commercial production of synthetic alternatives to fur and cosmetics, without the use of animal ingredients and not tested on animals, pioneering the cruelty-free movement. The initial fundamental purpose of the charitable trust was to demonstrate that alternatives to cruelly derived clothing and cosmetics were easily obtainable and, if they did not exist, to get them on the market. BWC spread the concept that one could easily look beautiful, without inflicting cruelty and death upon any creature.

In 1963, Dowding set up Beauty Without Cruelty Limited (BWC Ltd), the trading branch of the charity, so their cruelty-free cosmetics and other products, including simulated furs could be sold. This later became a private company.

The charity, now known as the BWC Charitable Trust, established branches in Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, United States,Canada, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the Netherlands, Kenya, Rhodesia, Japan, Finland and Hong Kong. The first Beauty Without Cruelty boutique opened in central London in 1965.

Currently two independently run BWC charitable organisations are in existence having expanded the scope of work: Beauty Without Cruelty – India and Beauty Without Cruelty (South Africa). There are also two independent cruelty-free cosmetic companies: Beauty Without Cruelty in the United Kingdom and Beauty Without Cruelty in the United States. These are vegan and continue to refuse to test their products on animals.

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