Who Owns Degree?

• Parent Company: Unilever plc
• Ownership Type: Brand division
• Acquisition Year: 1930
• Company Type: Publicly Traded
• Stock Ticker: LSE: ULVR

• Founded: 1908
• Founders: Samuel Henry Griffith
• Acquired by Unilever plc: 1930

• Founded: 1929
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom
• Company Type: Publicly Traded
• Stock: LSE: ULVR
• Revenue: approximately €59.7 billion (FY2025)
• Employees: Approximately 128,000

Visit Unilever plc website

• Headquarters: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA
• Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Canada, Global Unilever facilities

Degree operates under Unilever's comprehensive sustainability framework, implementing environmental initiatives focused on plastic waste reduction, sustainable packaging, and ethical manufacturing practices. As part of Unilever's personal care portfolio, Degree participates in global sustainability programs that address plastic pollution, carbon footprint reduction, and responsible sourcing while maintaining product performance and consumer safety.

Plastic Waste Reduction Commitment: Unilever has committed to reducing its virgin plastic footprint by 30% by 2026 and 40% by 2028 from a 2019 baseline. Degree, as part of Unilever's deodorant portfolio, contributes to this goal through packaging innovations and material reduction initiatives. The company aims to transition to fully recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging across its product lines.

Sustainable Packaging Innovation: Degree has implemented packaging improvements to reduce environmental impact, including lighter-weight containers, recycled content incorporation, and design optimizations that minimize material usage while maintaining product integrity and consumer experience. These packaging innovations support Unilever's broader circular economy goals.

Circular Economy and Reuse Initiatives: Unilever is working with the World Economic Forum's Consumers Beyond Waste initiative to develop standardized approaches for measuring and reporting on plastic packaging reuse. Degree participates in refill-reuse pilots in emerging markets, exploring innovative delivery systems that reduce packaging waste and environmental impact.

Carbon Footprint Reduction: As part of Unilever's climate action commitments, Degree contributes to reducing carbon emissions across its manufacturing processes, supply chain operations, and product distribution. The brand supports Unilever's science-based targets for carbon reduction and renewable energy transition in manufacturing facilities.

Sustainable Sourcing and Ethical Supply Chain: Degree operates under Unilever's responsible sourcing programs, ensuring that raw materials including aluminum compounds, fragrances, and packaging materials are sourced from suppliers who meet environmental and social responsibility standards. The company maintains ethical supply chain practices throughout its global operations.

Environmental Stewardship and Community Impact: Degree participates in Unilever's broader environmental stewardship programs, including water conservation initiatives, waste reduction programs, and community engagement projects that promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices in local communities.

Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Degree maintains strict compliance with environmental regulations and safety standards for personal care products. The company's manufacturing processes follow environmental best practices while ensuring product safety and efficacy for consumers worldwide.

Transparency and Environmental Reporting: As part of Unilever's sustainability reporting framework, Degree contributes to comprehensive environmental disclosures, including progress toward plastic reduction targets, carbon footprint measurements, and sustainability performance metrics. This transparency supports accountability and continuous improvement.

Consumer Education and Sustainable Choices: Degree engages in consumer education initiatives that help customers make more sustainable choices, including proper disposal of packaging, recycling guidance, and information about the brand's environmental commitments and progress.

Innovation in Sustainable Formulations: Degree continues to research and develop more sustainable product formulations, including exploring alternative ingredients, reducing environmental impact of active compounds, and optimizing formulations for environmental performance without compromising effectiveness.

Degree has received significant recognition within the personal care industry for product innovation, performance excellence, and consumer satisfaction. While the brand maintains a focused presence on product effectiveness rather than pursuing extensive independent awards programs, its products consistently receive top ratings from dermatologists, consumer testing organizations, and industry experts.

Dermatologist Recognition and Expert Endorsements: Degree has been recognized by board-certified dermatologists as one of the most effective and reliable antiperspirant brands on the market. The brand's products are frequently recommended by dermatology professionals for their proven effectiveness in sweat and odor protection, particularly the Degree Unlimited line with its innovative SmartAdapt technology.

Consumer Testing Excellence: Degree Unlimited Long Lasting Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray was recognized as the "Best aerosol spray deodorant" in comprehensive testing by dermatology experts. The product received acclaim for its 96-hour protection duration and SmartAdapt technology that adapts to body movement, heat, and stress for enhanced protection when needed most.

Product Innovation Awards: Degree's SmartAdapt technology has received acknowledgment as a breakthrough innovation in antiperspirant technology. This micro-barrier system responds to physical activities and environmental conditions, providing adaptive protection that represents significant advancement in personal care product engineering.

Market Leadership Recognition: As one of Unilever's flagship personal care brands, Degree has been acknowledged as a market leader in the North American deodorant and antiperspirant market. The brand's strong consumer loyalty and market position reflect industry recognition of its quality and reliability.

Consumer Satisfaction and Performance Ratings: Degree consistently receives high consumer satisfaction ratings for product performance, scent quality, and longevity of protection. Independent consumer testing organizations frequently rank Degree products among top performers for effectiveness and value.

Retail and Distribution Excellence: Degree has been recognized for effective retail presence and distribution strategies, ensuring product availability across major retail channels and maintaining strong shelf presence in the competitive personal care market.

Brand Trust and Reliability Recognition: Degree has built a reputation for reliability and consistency in product quality, earning consumer trust through decades of dependable performance. This brand trust represents recognition of the company's commitment to maintaining high standards across all product lines.

Industry Leadership in Antiperspirant Technology: Degree's continued innovation in antiperspirant formulations and delivery systems has been acknowledged within the personal care industry as contributing to technological advancement and product development standards.

Unilever Brand Portfolio Recognition: As part of Unilever's successful personal care portfolio, Degree benefits from the parent company's recognition for brand management excellence, marketing innovation, and sustainable business practices that have been acknowledged across the consumer goods industry.

Global Brand Success: Degree's success as the North American brand name for Rexona demonstrates effective global brand management and market adaptation strategies, earning recognition for successful brand localization and consumer engagement.

Degree has maintained a relatively clean operational record with no major product recalls in recent years, though the brand has faced some controversies related to aluminum compound safety concerns and potential allergic reactions. These issues reflect broader challenges in the personal care industry regarding ingredient safety, consumer health concerns, and regulatory scrutiny of common antiperspirant ingredients.

Aluminum Compound Health Concerns: Degree has faced ongoing controversy regarding the safety of aluminum compounds used in antiperspirant formulations. While major health risks remain unproven according to scientific research, some consumers and health advocacy groups have expressed concerns about potential links between aluminum exposure and health conditions. These concerns have led to increased consumer interest in aluminum-free deodorant alternatives.

Allergic Reaction Reports: Some consumers have reported allergic reactions to Degree products, including skin irritation, redness, itching, and rashes. These reactions are typically attributed to fragrance ingredients, aluminum compounds, or other formulation components. Degree has acknowledged these concerns and provides information about deodorant allergies and alternative products for sensitive skin.

Aluminum Allergy Awareness: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named aluminum as the 2022 allergen of the year, highlighting growing awareness of aluminum allergies. While the percentage of Americans with aluminum allergies remains small, this recognition has increased scrutiny of aluminum-containing products including Degree antiperspirants.

Fragrance Sensitivity Issues: Artificial and natural fragrances in Degree products have been identified as common causes of allergic reactions. The brand acknowledges that fragrances, while providing signature scents, can be harsh on sensitive skin and has developed fragrance-free options for consumers with sensitivities.

Paraben Controversy Historical Context: Degree, like many personal care brands, previously included parabens as preservatives in formulations. While most deodorant companies have removed parabens from formulas, historical use of these ingredients has been part of broader industry controversy regarding preservative safety.

Consumer Education and Transparency: In response to safety concerns, Degree has increased consumer education about deodorant allergies, ingredient sensitivities, and product safety information. The brand provides detailed information about potential allergens and offers guidance for consumers experiencing adverse reactions.

Regulatory Compliance and Safety Standards: Degree maintains compliance with FDA regulations for personal care products and follows industry safety standards for antiperspirant formulations. The company's products undergo rigorous safety testing and evaluation before market release.

Ingredient Innovation and Alternatives: In response to consumer concerns, Degree has developed alternative formulations and product lines for consumers with sensitivities, including aluminum-free options and fragrance-free variants designed to minimize allergic reaction risks.

Industry-Wide Ingredient Scrutiny: The controversies facing Degree reflect broader industry challenges regarding antiperspirant ingredients, particularly aluminum compounds. The brand's response to these concerns demonstrates adaptation to changing consumer preferences and increased focus on product safety and transparency.

Product Safety Communication: Degree maintains open communication about product safety, ingredient information, and potential allergens, providing consumers with the information needed to make informed choices about personal care products.