Who Owns Clear?

Clear's sustainability practices are integrated within Unilever's corporate ESG framework. Unilever has been a leader in corporate sustainability, with its "Unilever Sustainable Living Plan" and subsequent "Unilever Compass" strategy setting targets for environmental impact, social responsibility, and ethical sourcing.

On cruelty-free status, Clear is not certified by Leaping Bunny or listed on PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies database. Unilever has stated that it does not test its products on animals, except where required by law in specific markets. In China, imported cosmetics were historically subject to mandatory animal testing, though regulations have been relaxed in recent years for general cosmetics. Unilever has advocated for the acceptance of non-animal testing methods globally. However, because Clear products may be sold in markets that require or permit animal testing, the brand does not qualify for independent cruelty-free certification.

Clear is not certified vegan by The Vegan Society or equivalent organizations. Some Clear products may contain animal-derived ingredients, though Unilever has stated that it is reviewing its formulations for animal-derived ingredients across its portfolio. The brand has not publicly disclosed which products are vegan.

On packaging sustainability, Unilever has committed to making 100% of its plastic packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025. Clear's packaging is primarily plastic bottles and tubes. Unilever has introduced recycled plastic in some of its packaging across its portfolio, though Clear-specific recycled content figures are not publicly disclosed. The brand's packaging includes multi-material components (bottles with pumps or caps) that can be difficult to recycle through standard municipal programs.

Unilever has set targets to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations by 2030 and net zero emissions across its value chain by 2039. The company has implemented renewable energy sourcing at its manufacturing facilities, with over 60% of its grid electricity coming from renewable sources as of 2024. Clear-specific carbon data is not separately reported.

On ingredient transparency, Clear discloses ingredients on product packaging and websites, complying with regulations in each market. The brand's formulations include zinc pyrithione or alternative anti-dandruff active ingredients, surfactants, fragrances, and conditioning agents. Some Clear products contain parabens and sulfates, though Unilever has reformulated some products to remove these ingredients in response to consumer preferences.

Unilever has committed to sourcing palm oil sustainably. The company is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and has committed to sourcing 100% of its palm oil from sustainable sources. Clear products may contain palm oil derivatives, though the brand does not specifically market palm oil content or RSPO certification on its packaging.

Clear has received recognition in regional markets, particularly in Asia. The brand has been recognized by consumer publications and beauty awards programs in Southeast Asia for its anti-dandruff and scalp care products.

In Thailand, Clear has received recognition from Beauty Insider Thailand and other local beauty publications for its scalp care products. The brand's Clear Men line has been recognized in men's grooming awards in Asian markets, reflecting the success of the gender-specific product line.

Clear's advertising campaigns have received recognition at regional advertising festivals. The brand's celebrity-driven campaigns in Asia, featuring actors such as Lee Min-ho and Nadech Kugimiya, have won awards at advertising festivals including the Asia Pacific Advertising Festival (ADFEST) and the Spikes Asia Awards. These campaigns have been recognized for their effective use of celebrity endorsement and targeted messaging.

Clear has not received significant recognition from major global independent testing organizations such as Consumer Reports or Which?. The brand's regional focus and mass-market positioning place it outside the typical product categories evaluated by these organizations, which tend to focus on products available in their primary markets (North America and Europe).

The brand has been featured in Unilever's annual reports and investor presentations as a key hair care brand in Asian and Latin American markets. This recognition from one of the world's largest consumer goods companies provides brand credibility, though it is corporate recognition rather than independent industry recognition.

Clear has faced limited product safety controversies. The brand has not been subject to major product recalls in recent years. Unilever's quality control processes for Clear production have not resulted in widely publicized safety incidents.

In 2024, Unilever recalled certain dry shampoo products from its Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TRESemme, and TIGI brands due to the detection of benzene, a known carcinogen, in some aerosol products. The recall did not include Clear products, as Clear is primarily a liquid shampoo brand rather than an aerosol dry shampoo. However, the recall raised questions about ingredient safety across Unilever's hair care portfolio. Unilever stated that the benzene levels detected did not pose a health risk and that the recall was conducted out of caution.

Clear has faced criticism regarding its ingredient formulations. Some Clear products contain ingredients that have been questioned by clean beauty advocates, including sulfates (such as sodium lauryl sulfate), fragrances, and certain preservatives. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has rated some Clear products with moderate hazard scores, citing concerns about fragrance ingredients and potential allergens. Clear complies with all applicable cosmetic safety regulations in each market where it is sold.

The brand's cruelty-free status has been a source of consumer concern. Clear is not certified by Leaping Bunny or PETA, and some consumers avoid Clear products due to Unilever's practice of selling in markets that may require animal testing. Unilever has stated that it is committed to ending animal testing globally and has invested in developing alternative testing methods. However, the lack of independent cruelty-free certification means consumers cannot verify Clear's status through recognized third-party databases.

Clear has faced competitive controversies related to advertising claims. In some markets, Clear's advertising has made claims about dandruff prevention efficacy that have been questioned by competitors or consumer advocacy groups. These claims typically relate to the duration of dandruff protection or the superiority of Clear's formulations compared to competitors. Unilever has stated that its advertising claims are supported by scientific testing and comply with advertising standards in each market.

Unilever as a corporate parent has faced broader controversies that indirectly affect Clear. The company has faced criticism over plastic packaging waste, with environmental groups arguing that Unilever and other major consumer goods companies are not doing enough to reduce plastic pollution. Unilever has committed to reducing virgin plastic use and increasing recycled content, but progress has been slower than environmental advocates demand.