Who Owns Rexona?
Rexona is owned by Unilever, a British-Dutch multinational consumer goods corporation. Created in Australia in 1908 and acquired by Lever Brothers in 1930, Rexona is Unilever's global deodorant brand, marketed as Degree in the United States and Sure in the United Kingdom.
Parent Company
Unilever plc
Acquired
1930
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
London, UK / Rotterdam, Netherlands
Who Owns Rexona?
- Parent Company: Unilever plc
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 1930
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: ULVR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Rexona | Unilever plc | Wholly owned |
History of Rexona
- Founded: 1908
- Founders: Samuel Henry Griffith
- Acquired by Unilever plc: 1930
Rexona was created in Australia in 1908 by Alice Sheffer, the wife of Samuel Fuller, who established the Sheldon Drug Company. 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 brand was developed as an innovative deodorant product to address growing consumer demand for personal hygiene products in the early 20th century. This strategic positioning demonstrated Rexona'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.
In approximately 1930, Rexona was acquired by British soap manufacturer Lever Brothers, which provided the resources and distribution network to expand the brand beyond Australia. This period of excellence demonstrated Rexona's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards across multiple beauty personal care segments. Following Lever Brothers' merger with Dutch company Margarine Unie in 1930 to form Unilever, Rexona became part of one of the world's largest consumer goods corporations. This strategic diversification demonstrated Rexona's exceptional ability to serve multiple consumer segments while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership in the beauty personal care industry.
Throughout the mid-20th century, Rexona expanded internationally, with Finland being the first international market in the 1960s. This continued evolution demonstrated Rexona's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing beauty personal care requirements and technological advancements. The 1980s marked significant global expansion, with Rexona launched across the world under various brand names including Sure in the UK and Ireland, Degree in the United States, Shield in South Africa, and Rexena in Japan and South Korea. This continued excellence demonstrates Rexona's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing beauty personal care dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Rexona's exceptional ability to integrate into larger beauty personal care corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the deodorant industry.
In 2015, Rexona underwent a major brand refresh with new fragrances and redesigned packaging, maintaining its position as the world's leading antiperspirant brand. This continued evolution demonstrated Rexona's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing beauty personal care requirements and corporate dynamics. This continued excellence demonstrates Rexona's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing beauty personal care dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Rexona's exceptional ability to integrate into larger beauty personal care corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the deodorant industry. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of deodorant and consumer-focused beauty personal care solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Rexona's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct beauty personal care identity and market leadership. This continued excellence demonstrates Rexona's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing beauty personal care dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Rexona's exceptional ability to integrate into larger beauty personal care corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the deodorant industry. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of deodorant and consumer-focused beauty personal care solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Rexona's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct beauty personal care identity and market leadership. This continued excellence demonstrates Rexona's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing beauty personal care dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Rexona's exceptional ability to integrate into larger beauty personal care corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the deodorant 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 Rexona Made / Based?
- Headquarters: London, UK / Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Manufacturing / Operations: Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Global Unilever facilities
Brands Owned by Unilever plc
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- Dove - Personal care brand owned by Unilever, known for beauty bars and skincare produc...
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- Vaseline - American petroleum jelly and skincare brand owned by Unilever, known for its hea...
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Rexona Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Global leadership in antiperspirant technology backed by Unilever's extensive R&D investment
- +Wide product range including roll-ons, sprays, sticks, and creams for different preferences
- +Strong global distribution through Unilever's established retail channels
- +Continuous innovation in sweat protection and fragrance technology
- +Premium quality assurance supported by corporate resources and scientific research
Considerations
- -Premium pricing compared to store-brand alternatives in some markets
- -Regional brand name variations (Rexona/Degree/Sure) can create consumer confusion
- -Dependency on Unilever's supply chain and corporate policies
- -Environmental impact of aerosol products in some product lines
- -Limited availability of certain variants in smaller markets
Frequently Asked Questions About Rexona
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Rexona
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: Rexona 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
Jobs at Unilever plc
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