Juno and Co Review: Are Their Products Really Cruelty-Free?
In recent years, more and more beauty lovers have been seeking out cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics brands that align with their values. One up-and-coming company that has caught the attention of many conscious consumers is Juno & Co. Founded in 2017, this San Francisco-based brand has made waves with their innovative microfiber sponges and clean skincare products. But are Juno & Co‘s claims of being cruelty-free and vegan actually legit? I did a deep dive to find out.
What Makes Juno & Co Stand Out
On the surface, Juno & Co has a lot going for it that appeals to modern beauty enthusiasts. The brand has a fresh, community-oriented approach—they actually crowdsource ideas and feedback from their customers to help develop products. Juno & Co‘s signature offerings are makeup sponges made from microfiber bristles that absorb less product than traditional sponges. The unique shapes (like the best-selling Microfiber Lemon Drop Sponge) help you reach every contour of your face for a flawless application.
Juno & Co has also launched a line of clean, cruelty-free skincare essentials including a cleansing balm, serum-primer hybrid, and more. All of their formulas are free of parabens, sulfates, and over 1,300 other potentially harmful ingredients. The products come in recyclable packaging printed with soy ink. Clearly, Juno & Co is making an effort to be an eco-ethical brand.
But I wanted to know: do Juno & Co‘s practices truly live up to the hype? I investigated their cruelty-free and vegan claims, and here‘s what I found out.
Is Juno & Co Cruelty-Free and Vegan?
Cruelty-Free
According to Juno & Co‘s website, they are a 100% cruelty-free company. The brand states: "We care deeply about our furry friends, and that‘s why we will never test on animals or allow third parties to do so on our behalf. Our products are developed using safe, gentle ingredients."
Juno & Co also confirmed to me via email that their products are not sold in mainland China, where animal testing is still mandatory for many cosmetics. However, the brand does not appear to have cruelty-free certification from PETA, Leaping Bunny, or Choose Cruelty Free. While this doesn‘t mean they aren‘t cruelty-free, I would love to see Juno & Co take the extra step of becoming certified.
Vegan
Juno & Co claims that all of their products are vegan-friendly and made without any animal-derived ingredients like honey, beeswax, lanolin, etc. This is fantastic news for vegan beauty lovers. The brand‘s skincare is also free of carmine, a red colorant made from beetles that shows up in many cosmetics.
Juno & Co Sponge Reviews
So now we know that Juno & Co seems to be walking the walk when it comes to being cruelty-free and vegan. But how well do their products actually perform? I combed through dozens of customer reviews to get the scoop on Juno & Co‘s makeup sponges.
The verdict? These microfiber sponges have earned a cult following for good reason. The Microfiber Velvet Sponge is an Internet-famous option, with beauty influencers raving that it applies makeup more smoothly and evenly than traditional sponges. Reviews say it has a plush, velvety texture and wastes less product.
Juno & Co‘s sponges also get top marks for being easy to clean—a must for keeping your tools hygienic. Many reviewers said these sponges held up much better than competitors after multiple washes. At $6 per sponge, the price point is super reasonable too.
Juno & Co Skincare Reviews
I was also curious about Juno & Co‘s skincare products, which include a cleansing balm, serum-primer, micellar gel, and a powder-to-foam cleanser. The formulas feature clean, natural ingredients like Japanese pearl barley, tangerine extract, and olive oil.
The Juno & Co Clean 10 Cleansing Balm has over 1,200 glowing reviews, with users reporting that it gently dissolves stubborn makeup (even waterproof!) while leaving skin soft and moisturized. Customers also love that you don‘t need a lot of product to get the job done.
For Juno & Co‘s skincare line, cruelty-free beauty lovers will appreciate that the brand has eliminated ingredients like carmine that are derived from animals and insects. However, those with very sensitive skin may want to patch test first, as essential oils and fruit extracts can be triggering for some.
Shipping, Returns, and More
Juno & Co offers free shipping on all US orders over $30. Purchases under $30 ship for a flat rate of $6. The company also ships internationally to most countries, with rates calculated at checkout.
If you‘re not happy with your Juno & Co product, the brand offers refunds and exchanges within 30 days of purchase. To start a return, email customer service and they will walk you through the process.
From my experience, Juno & Co‘s customer service team is super friendly and prompt with their responses. They seem genuinely invested in making sure shoppers have a positive experience with the brand.
How Does Juno & Co Compare to Other Cruelty-Free Brands?
If you‘re committed to buying from cruelty-free and/or vegan beauty brands, you may be wondering how Juno & Co stacks up to other options on the market. Some comparable cruelty-free makeup and skincare companies include e.l.f. Cosmetics, Pacifica, and 100% Pure.
One potential downside of Juno & Co compared to a brand like e.l.f. is that e.l.f. offers a much broader range of vegan-friendly color cosmetics like lipstick, eyeshadow, blush, etc. If you‘re looking for a one-stop shop, Juno & Co‘s streamlined, skincare-focused product assortment may not fit the bill.
That said, I appreciate that Juno & Co is laser-focused on developing thoughtfully formulated, high-performance essentials. The brand is still quite young, so I wouldn‘t be surprised if they expand into color cosmetics and other categories in the future. Their unique community-driven product development process also sets them apart.
The Bottom Line
After taking a closer look at Juno & Co, I‘m impressed by the brand‘s commitment to cruelty-free, vegan, clean beauty. While I would love to see them pursue official cruelty-free certification, the company was very transparent when I reached out with questions.
Juno & Co‘s makeup sponges and skincare products have earned rave reviews from customers and beauty experts alike. The microfiber sponges are a game-changer for smooth, even foundation application. And the skincare formulas feature high-quality, natural ingredients at reasonable price points.
If you‘re a conscious consumer looking to support an indie beauty brand with an eco-friendly ethos, Juno & Co is definitely one to watch. While no company is perfect, it‘s clear that Juno & Co is making a genuine effort to "do beauty better" through cruelty-free, vegan, and community-focused practices. I look forward to seeing what innovative products they come up with next!
