More Brands Have Phased Out Badger Hair Products
As retailers face pressure over animal welfare, over 100 brands have stopped selling brushes made with badger hair.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Beauty
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Following a recent PETA exposé, animal rights advocates have called on the marketplace Trade Me to ban products made from badger hair. More than 100 brands have already committed to removing these items from their inventories since 2018.
Why it matters
The shift away from badger hair highlights growing concerns regarding animal welfare standards within the beauty and grooming supply chain. Consumers are increasingly scrutinizing labels to avoid products linked to documented practices of animal cruelty.
A PETA investigation into eight badger-hair farms in China documented instances of conscious animals being beaten and stabbed for hair harvesting. These findings join a broader industry trend where over 100 brands have ceased the sale of badger-hair products since 2018.
The players
PETA
An international non-profit organization dedicated to establishing and protecting the rights of all animals.
Trade Me
A prominent online marketplace based in New Zealand.
Kul Singh Kargil
The Chief Executive Officer of the online marketplace Trade Me.
The Barbershop Co.
A grooming retailer that has committed to phasing out badger-hair brushes.
Shaver Shop
A retail chain that committed to delisting remaining badger-hair products.
The details
Badger hair is commonly utilized in the manufacturing of makeup, shaving, and paint brushes. On the farms documented, badgers are kept in wire cages before being subjected to manual hair harvesting methods that reportedly involve significant physical trauma.
Timeline
2018: PETA released its first badger-hair industry exposé.
2024: China exported over 66,000 kilograms of badger hair.
September 30, 2026: PETA issued a new demand to Trade Me.
Health Landscape
This development follows a pattern of corporate policy shifts triggered by the initial 2018 PETA badger-hair industry exposé. The ongoing transition reflects a broader consumer-driven movement toward ethical sourcing in the personal care and beauty industry.
When shopping for shaving or makeup brushes, check the product label to determine if the bristles are synthetic or animal-derived. Many retailers now clearly label synthetic alternatives, which offer a cruelty-free option for your daily grooming routine.
The takeaway
The move by various retailers to phase out badger hair demonstrates the impact of consumer advocacy on industry standards. When purchasing brushes, look for 'synthetic' or 'vegan' labels to ensure your products align with your ethical preferences.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in ethical grooming and sustainable ingredients at Beauty.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Scoop.
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