Replacing Animal Research

For three decades, we’ve been working for acceptance on non-animal methods, a vision we proudly share with Replacing Animal Research (formerly known as FRAME). Each year thousands of animals can be subjected to cosmetic products tests each year. Thankfully, things are changing.

Hear from Replacing Animal Research below on how we’ve been working together to create a kinder future, for you and for animals:

A Shared Dream: The Story Behind the Avon & Replacing Animal Research Partnership

In 1969, animal-lover Dorothy Hegarty founded Replacing Animal Research (formerly known as FRAME) with a dream - a world where science doesn't involve animal suffering. Collaboration has always been at the heart of how we’ll achieve this, and that’s how we connected with Avon and their incredible Representatives who championed ethical beauty. We developed a 35+ year collaboration, driven by our shared commitment to a kinder future. Together, we empower scientists to move beyond using animals and engage with cutting-edge, human-focused science.

From Vision to Action: Pioneering Alternatives to Animal Testing

In 1991, Replacing Animal Research founded a lab at the University of Nottingham’s medical school. It’s the UK’s oldest lab dedicated to non-animal biomedical research. In one of our first big collaborations, the lab pioneered research into non-animal methods that could replace the use of animals in different regulatory tests, like for cosmetics.This included research like the Kenacid Blue Test as a replacement for the notorious Lethal Dose 50 test. In the LD50 test, the dose of a substance is increased until 50% of the test subjects die. It’s long been criticised because of the suffering it inflicts on animals where replacements, like the Kenacid Blue Test, are available.

Perhaps most memorably, when our collaboration with Avon contributed to the lab’s development, and validation, of in vitro assays that were instrumental in the European ban on animal testing for cosmetics. This allowed companies like Avon to ensure their products were safe for humans, without harming animals.

Amy Beale, Replacing Animal Research Head of Policy & Programmes, shares: “We’re very grateful for the support we’ve received from Avon. It’s helped us to continue our work promoting, funding, and actively researching replacements to animals in research and testing.”

A Legacy of Progress: Avon & Replacing Animal Research's Impact on Science

Avon has supported our cutting-edge research with annual donations, impacting numerous areas of medical research, going far beyond cosmetics testing. Progress has been made but many animals are still used in research and testing today. In the UK alone the latest government statistics showed 2.76 million scientific procedures used animals.

Thanks to the support of Avon, we’re able to empower scientists at every stage of their careers through our grant schemes. One of our proudest programmes is the Summer Studentship scheme, which allows young scientists to gain real research experience.

Sophie Bateman - 2024 Summer Studentship winner “The dedication and determination that Replacing Animal Research has to replace the use of animals in science is inspirational and is passed on when reading the blog posts and articles exhibiting the amazing research they fund! Their vision ‘no animal suffers for science’ is very poignant to me and I am passionate about being a part of a community that shows the effectiveness of alternative in vitro models compared to animal studies to reduce the use of animals in research.”

In 2023, Replacing Animal Research funded Bobbi Anderson from the University of Strathclyde who researched genetic mutations in breast cancer. This research not only aims to avoid animal research but also improve treatment options for better patient outcomes.

The Power is in Your Hands

Avon has taken great strides across the last year, and are now proudly approved by Cruelty Free International under their Leaping Bunny Programme. By choosing Avon, you're not just choosing beauty, you're actively choosing a better future for animals and humans.

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