Benefit, Estée Lauder, Maybelline, and Clinique. These cosmetics still test on innocent animals. The pain, suffering, and many deaths of animals is not worth the human benefits. Not only is animal testing cruel, it proves ineffective.

Ranging from rats to guinea pigs, animals endure inhumane laboratory procedures ensuring the “effectiveness” of a product. These products are released in stores and many people purchase blindly, unaware of what goes on their skin or face.

Sure, some animals may not look cute and cuddly, but that does not mean the harm committed against them should be amplified, because we do not consider them human and less important.

According to Cruelty-Free International, a few of the tests currently performed on animals include force-feeding harmful substances, exposure to radiation, surgically removing animals’ organs, and forcing animals to inhale toxic gases.

Many animals are tested on worldwide, and the subjects vary from country to country.

According to Humane Society International, every year more than 115 million animals undergo tests, but only a few countries actually collect data for animal research and testing.

Official United States statistics excluded 90% of the animals tested on, saying it was, “no doubt a substantial underestimate.”

One might argue that cosmetic testing has contributed to many life-saving treatments, and no adequate alternatives can replace this “necessary evil.”

Although that may be true, animals possess different qualities than humans. Their cellular, anatomic, and metabolic structures function and work differently from human beings. Therefore, it makes them poor test subjects.

“You’re looking at a different organism. They have a different physiology,” said AP Environmental teacher Elizabeth Schur-Badach. “I think you get an idea from the tests, but I don’t think it’s ever going to be fully reliable.”

From owning animals of my own, the thought of having any animal caged and in distress disturbs me. They suffer and pay their lives in return for cosmetics half of the population does not even know how to use, let alone afford.

Certain cosmetics, such as Lush, Too Faced, Milani, and others are 100% cruelty-free and cheap. By investing in cruelty-free brands, instead of those who test on animals, consumers possess the ability to vote with their money and make a difference in this industry.