For decades, animal testing has been at the center of ethical concerns within the beauty industry. Despite bans and increasing consumer opposition, many brands have struggled to fully detach from animal testing due to regulatory requirements and the limitations of alternative testing methods. Enter bioprinting, a breakthrough technology that promises to not only eliminate animal testing, but also to reshape how cosmetics are developed, tested, and even manufactured. Bioprinting offers an unprecedented solution that could replace animal testing while unlocking new possibilities for skincare, cosmetic formulation, and regenerative beauty treatments.The call to end animal testing is not new. Over the years, legislative measures have tightened in Europe, banning or restricting the use of animals for cosmetic safety assessments. The European Union, for instance, has prohibited animal testing for cosmetic ingredients since 2013, yet regulatory loopholes remain, particularly for chemicals used in multiple industries. “Cosmetic companies have worked hard for decades to conduct safety testing without using animals,” Dr. Catherine Willett, a Senior Director of Science and Regulatory Affairs at Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society International), said to BeautyMatter. However, as she pointed out, “many chemicals found in cosmetics are also used in industrial products, where animal testing is still legally required. This creates a complex regulatory landscape.”Moreover, consumer sentiment is shifting, with Gen Z and millennial buyers increasingly demanding cruelty-free products.