Who Owns Pepsodent?
Pepsodent is owned by Unilever outside the United States and Canada, and by Church & Dwight in North America. Founded in 1915 in Chicago, Pepsodent was acquired by Unilever in 1944. In 2003, Unilever sold the North American rights to Church & Dwight.
Parent Company
Unilever plc
Acquired
1944
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
London, UK / Rotterdam, Netherlands
Who Owns Pepsodent?
- Parent Company: Unilever plc
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 1944
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: ULVR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Pepsodent | Unilever plc | Wholly owned |
History of Pepsodent
- Founded: 1915
- Founders: Douglas Smith
- Acquired by Unilever plc: 1944
Pepsodent toothpaste was introduced in the United States in 1915 by the Pepsodent Company of Chicago. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for beauty personal care solutions while establishing a distinctive approach that would define the beauty personal care category for generations. The original formula contained pepsin, a digestive agent designed to break down and digest food deposits on teeth, which inspired the brand and company name. This strategic positioning demonstrated Pepsodent's exceptional ability to create differentiated beauty personal care solutions while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades.
From 1930 to late 1933, Pepsodent featured a massive animated neon advertising sign in Times Square, New York City, showing a young girl on a swing. This period of excellence demonstrated Pepsodent's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards across multiple beauty personal care segments. This iconic advertisement was re-created for the 2005 film King Kong and appeared in the original film. This strategic diversification demonstrated Pepsodent's exceptional ability to serve multiple consumer segments while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership in the beauty personal care industry.
Following Unilever's acquisition of the Pepsodent Company in 1944, the brand saw significant growth in international markets. This continued evolution demonstrated Pepsodent's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing beauty personal care requirements and corporate dynamics. In the UK, sales more than doubled between 1944 and 1950, leading to expansion of manufacturing facilities. This continued excellence demonstrates Pepsodent's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing beauty personal care dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Pepsodent's exceptional ability to integrate into larger beauty personal care corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the oral-care industry.
Pepsodent was a very popular brand before the mid-1950s, but its makers were slow to add fluoride to its formula to compete with rising brands like Crest and Gleem by Procter & Gamble, and Colgate's eponymous product. This continued evolution demonstrated Pepsodent's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing beauty personal care requirements and technological advancements. This delay led to a significant decline in sales as consumers switched to fluoride-enhanced toothpastes. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of oral-care and consumer-focused beauty personal care solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Pepsodent's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct beauty personal care identity and market leadership.
In 2003, Unilever sold the North American rights to Pepsodent to Church & Dwight, while retaining international ownership. This continued evolution demonstrated Pepsodent's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing beauty personal care requirements and corporate dynamics. Today, Pepsodent operates as a "value brand" primarily marketed in discount stores, retailing for roughly half the price of similar-sized tubes of Crest or Colgate. This continued excellence demonstrates Pepsodent's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing beauty personal care dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Pepsodent's exceptional ability to integrate into larger beauty personal care corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the oral-care industry.
The brand's best-known slogan was "You'll wonder where the yellow went, when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent!" This advertising focused on removing the yellow film from teeth, a concept pioneered by advertising executive Claude C. Hopkins. In international markets, Pepsodent has maintained strong positions. In Vietnam, the brand is called P/S and has ranked among India's most trusted brands, moving from 201st position in 2013 to 71st position in 2014 according to the Brand Trust Report India. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of oral-care and consumer-focused beauty personal care solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Pepsodent's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct beauty personal care identity and market leadership. This continued excellence demonstrates Pepsodent's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing beauty personal care dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Pepsodent's exceptional ability to integrate into larger beauty personal care corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the oral-care industry.
About Unilever plc
What does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing (Dove, Vaseline, TRESemme, Pond's), Personal Care (Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lux, Lifebuoy, Close Up), Home Care (Domestos, Cif, Surf, Omo, Comfort), and Nutrition (Knorr, Hellmann's, Lipton, Marmite). Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever no longer owns Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, or Breyers. The company also owns approximately 61% of Hindustan Unilever Limited, a publicly listed subsidiary in India.
Is Unilever publicly traded?
Yes, Unilever plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker ULVR and on Euronext Amsterdam under ticker UNA. American Depositary Receipts are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker UL. The company does not have a controlling shareholder, and its shares are held primarily by institutional investors. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom.
Who founded Unilever?
Unilever was formed in 1929 through the merger of Lever Brothers, a British soap company founded by William Hesketh Lever in 1885, and Margarine Unie, a Dutch margarine producer formed through the merger of the Jurgens and Van den Bergh companies in 1927. The founders of the predecessor companies include William Lever, James Darcy Lever, Antonius Johannes Jurgens, and Samuel van den Bergh.
Where is Unilever headquartered?
Unilever is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company's registered office and principal executive offices are located in London. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom and ending the separate Unilever N.V. Dutch entity. The company's shares continue to trade on both the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam.
How many brands does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, and Nutrition. The company's largest brands by revenue include Dove, Hellmann's, Knorr, Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lipton, Vaseline, Domestos, and Cif. Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever's portfolio no longer includes ice cream brands such as Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, and Breyers.
Who owns Unilever?
Unilever plc is a publicly traded company with no controlling shareholder. The company's shares are held primarily by institutional investors including major asset managers and index funds. No single shareholder holds a majority stake in Unilever. Fernando Fernandez serves as CEO, having been appointed in March 2025 following the departure of Hein Schumacher. The company's board includes a majority of independent non-executive directors.
- Founded: 1929
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: LSE: ULVR
Where Is Pepsodent Made / Based?
- Headquarters: London, UK / Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Manufacturing / Operations: Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Global Unilever facilities
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Pepsodent Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Over 100 years of oral care expertise backed by Unilever's extensive R&D investment
- +Strong heritage brand recognition in international markets
- +Value positioning in discount retail channels
- +Global distribution through Unilever's established retail networks
- +Trusted reputation for basic oral care needs
Considerations
- -Complex ownership structure with North American rights sold to Church & Dwight
- -Premium pricing compared to store-brand alternatives in some markets
- -Competition from fluoride-enhanced modern toothpaste brands
- -Decline from former market leadership position
- -Limited innovation compared to modern oral care formulations
Frequently Asked Questions About Pepsodent
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Pepsodent
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procter Gamble | USA | 1983 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| Clorox | USA | 1984 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Nexus Capital Management | USA | 2011 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Walmart | USA | 1986 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Procter Gamble | USA | 1937 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| Procter Gamble | USA | 1956 | Mass Market | North America | Male |
Learn More About Competitors

Always
Owned by Procter & Gamble
American feminine hygiene brand known for its menstrual pads, panty liners, and feminine care products.

Burt's Bees
Owned by The Clorox Company
American personal care brand specializing in natural and organic skincare, lip care, and personal grooming products made with beeswax and natural ingredients.

Dollar Shave Club
Owned by Nexus Capital Management
American direct-to-consumer razor and grooming brand known for its subscription model and viral marketing.

Equate
Owned by Walmart Inc.
Walmart's flagship health and beauty private label brand with 75% U.S. household penetration, ranking as the second most popular store brand in America, offering over-the-counter medications and personal care products at affordable prices.

Old Spice
Owned by Procter & Gamble
American men's grooming brand known for its deodorants, antiperspirants, body washes, and distinctive nautical-themed marketing campaigns.

Secret
Owned by Procter & Gamble
American women's deodorant and antiperspirant brand known for its pH-balanced formulations and marketing focused on women's confidence and strength.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Pepsodent competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Unilever plc Stock Information
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