Unilever is an international corporation that specializes in personal care products. But is Unilever cruelty-free or do they test on animals?
Keep reading to learn more.
Unilever Animal Testing Policy
Unilever’s animal testing policy can be found in the sustainable living section of their website. Here is an excerpt:
“We do not test our products on animals and are committed to ending animal testing. Unilever has complied with the EU animal testing bans for cosmetics since 2004 and supports calls for similar bans to be introduced globally.
Occasionally, across our portfolio, some of the ingredients we use have to be tested by our suppliers to comply with legal and regulatory requirements in some markets; and some governments test certain products on animals as part of their regulations.”
Does Unilever Test on Animals?
Yes, Unilever does test on animals. They state they don’t test their products on animals but make the exception to satisfy a country’s regulations.
Is Unilever Certified Cruelty-Free?
No, Unilever is not certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, PETA, or Choose Cruelty-Free.
In fact, Unilever is listed on PETA’s list of brands working on change.
Is Unilever Sold in China?
Yes, Unilever is sold in China. Below is a list of some of their locations in Asia.
What Companies Does Unilever Own?
Below is a list of brands that are owned by Unilever. I’ve indicated the ones that are sold in China and any certified cruelty-free brands.
The choice is yours on whether to boycott some or all of Unilever’s brands. But I would err on the side of caution for the brands that have no information.
*This list includes brands mainly available in the US. You can check out Unilever’s full list of brands here.
- Axe
- Caress
- Clear
- Degree
- Dermalogica – LEAPING BUNNY, PETA CERTIFIED
- Dove – SOLD IN CHINA, PETA CERTIFIED
- Hourglass – PETA CERTIFIED
- Kate Somerville
- Lever 2000
- Love Beauty and Planet – PETA CERTIFIED
- Love Home and Planet – PETA CERTIFIED
- Madam C.J. Walker
- Murad – PETA CERTIFIED
- Nexxus
- Noxzema
- Nubian Heritage – PETA CERTIFIED
- Nyakio
- Pond’s – SOLD IN CHINA
- REN Skincare – PETA CERTIFIED
- Schmidt’s Naturals – PETA CERTIFIED
- Seventh Generation – PETA CERTIFIED
- Shea Moisture – PETA CERTIFIED
- Simple – PETA CERTIFIED
- St. Ives – PETA CERTIFIED
- Suave – PETA CERTIFIED
- Tatcha
- The Good Stuff – PETA CERTIFIED
- The Laundress
- TIGI
- TRESemme – SOLD IN CHINA
- Vaseline- SOLD IN CHINA
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Wrap Up: Is Unilever Cruelty-Free?
No, Unilever is not a cruelty-free personal care brand. In their animal testing policy, they state they do not test on animals. However, Unilever chooses to sell in China, a country that requires imported cosmetics to be tested on animals.
Therefore, Unilever is not considered to be cruelty-free and will be added to my list of brands that test on animals.
Now I’d like to hear from you. What are your thoughts about Unilever? Will you boycott them completely or use some of their cruelty-free brands? Please leave your comments below!
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I think what I find most disturbing is PETAs willingness to say some of the products are cruelty free when they do allow testing. To me you are either cruelty free or not. Put your money where your mouth is and stop selling in China. I have had this conversation with Mary Kay cosmetics too and have stopped using them. There are plenty of good cruelty free companies out there that have great products. To me this is a marketing ploy on the part of Unilever and I am truly disappointed in PETA.
Peta’s certification process is non-existence. Which is why I always do additional research for brands certified by them.
Hi!
Love your list, great for my kids thanks. I am confused though, how can Dove be PETA certified and sold in China?
Peta doesn’t do a thorough investigation with the brands on their list. For example, Wet N Wild is still showing certified cruelty-free on their list but a Cruelty-Free Kitty reader in 2019 had evidence that the company sells in China. So I always err on the side of caution with Peta brands.