Who Owns Simple?
Simple is owned by Unilever, a British-Dutch multinational consumer goods company. The brand was founded in 1960 and operates as a wholly-owned brand within Unilever's Beauty & Personal Care division. Unilever is publicly traded and headquartered in London, UK and Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Parent Company
Unilever plc
Founded
1960
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
London, UK & Rotterdam, Netherlands
Who Owns Simple?
- Parent Company: Unilever plc
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: ULVR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | Unilever plc | Wholly owned |
History of Simple
- Founded: 1960
- Founders: Unilever (internal development)
Simple was created by Unilever in 1960 as a skincare brand focused on gentle, dermatologist-tested products for sensitive skin. 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 with a commitment to simplicity and effectiveness, avoiding harsh chemicals and unnecessary ingredients. This strategic positioning demonstrated Simple'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.
The original Simple concept emphasized gentle cleansing and skincare for sensitive skin types, positioning the brand as a dermatologist-recommended option. This period of excellence demonstrated Simple's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards across multiple beauty personal care segments. The brand became known for its straightforward approach to skincare without complex formulations. This strategic diversification demonstrated Simple'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 1980s and 1990s, Simple expanded its product portfolio to include cleansers, moisturizers, and other skincare products, all maintaining the brand's commitment to gentle, sensitive-skin formulations. This continued evolution demonstrated Simple's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing beauty personal care requirements and technological advancements. This continued excellence demonstrates Simple's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing beauty personal care dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Simple's exceptional ability to integrate into larger beauty personal care corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the skincare industry.
Simple developed a strong reputation among consumers with sensitive skin and dermatologists who recommended the brand for its gentle approach and effectiveness. This continued evolution demonstrated Simple's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing beauty personal care requirements and corporate dynamics. The brand became particularly popular in the United Kingdom and Europe. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of skincare and consumer-focused beauty personal care solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Simple's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct beauty personal care identity and market leadership.
Under Unilever ownership, Simple has continued to maintain its focus on gentle, dermatologist-tested skincare while expanding distribution into new markets. This continued evolution demonstrated Simple's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing beauty personal care requirements and technological advancements. The brand has introduced new product formats and maintained its position as a leading sensitive-skin skincare brand. This continued excellence demonstrates Simple's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing beauty personal care dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Simple's exceptional ability to integrate into larger beauty personal care corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the skincare industry. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of skincare and consumer-focused beauty personal care solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Simple's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct beauty personal care identity and market leadership. This continued excellence demonstrates Simple's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing beauty personal care dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Simple's exceptional ability to integrate into larger beauty personal care corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the skincare 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 Simple Made / Based?
- Headquarters: London, UK & Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Manufacturing / Operations: United Kingdom, Germany, China, India
Brands Owned by Unilever plc
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- Best Foods - American mayonnaise and condiment brand owned by Unilever, known as Hellmann's e...
- Bovril - Heritage British beef extract brand owned by Unilever, invented in 1870 and know...
- Brooke Bond - British tea brand owned by Unilever, known for Red Label and PG Tips tea product...
- Cif - Global cleaning products brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1969 and known for...
- Clear - Global anti-dandruff shampoo and scalp care brand owned by Unilever, launched in...
- Close-Up - Global oral care brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1967 as the world's first ...
- Comfort - Global fabric softener brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1969 as the world's ...
- Degree - North American deodorant and antiperspirant brand owned by Unilever, the US bran...
- Domestos - British household cleaning brand owned by Unilever, known for its bleach-based t...
- Dove - Personal care brand owned by Unilever, known for beauty bars and skincare produc...
- Hellmann's - American mayonnaise and condiment brand owned by Unilever, known as Best Foods w...
- HelloFresh - Meal kit delivery service brand owned by Unilever, providing pre-portioned ingre...
- Knorr - German food brand owned by Unilever, specializing in soups, seasonings, and read...
- Lancôme - Luxury beauty brand owned by Unilever, known for premium skincare, makeup, and f...
- Lifebuoy - Heritage health and hygiene soap brand owned by Unilever, created in 1894 as a c...
- Lipton - Global tea brand primarily owned by Lipton Teas and Infusions (CVC Capital Partn...
- Lux - Global beauty soap and body wash brand owned by Unilever, known as the world's f...
- Magnum - Premium ice cream brand owned by Unilever, known for chocolate-coated ice cream ...
- Maizena - Global corn starch brand owned by Unilever, founded in 1856 and used as a versat...
- Marmite - British savoury yeast extract spread owned by Unilever, known for its "Love it o...
- Noxzema - American skincare brand owned by Unilever, founded in 1914 and known for its med...
- Omo - Global laundry detergent brand owned by Unilever, launched in the 1950s and Unil...
- Pepsodent - Global toothpaste brand owned by Unilever outside North America, founded in 1915...
- PG Tips - British tea brand owned by Unilever, known for its pyramid tea bags and advertis...
- Pond's - Global skincare brand owned by Unilever, founded in 1846 as a patent medicine an...
- Pot Noodle - British instant noodle brand owned by Unilever, known for its quick preparation ...
- Rexona - Global deodorant and antiperspirant brand owned by Unilever, founded in Australi...
- Seventh Generation - Plant-based cleaning, laundry, and personal care brand committed to sustainabili...
- St. Ives - American skincare brand owned by Unilever, known for its natural ingredient form...
- Sunsilk - Global hair care brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1954 in the United Kingdom...
- Surf - Global laundry detergent brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1953 and known for...
- TRESemmé - Global salon-quality hair care brand owned by Unilever, founded in 1947 and know...
- Vaseline - American petroleum jelly and skincare brand owned by Unilever, known for its hea...
- Wall's - Ice cream brand owned by Unilever, known for ice cream bars, cones, and frozen t...
Simple Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Gentle skincare brand with 60+ year heritage for sensitive skin
- +Dermatologist-tested and recommended formulations
- +Backed by Unilever's extensive research and development
- +Global distribution through Unilever's retail networks
- +Strong brand recognition among sensitive-skin consumers
- +Commitment to simplicity and effectiveness
Considerations
- -Premium pricing compared to mass-market skincare alternatives
- -Competition from other sensitive-skin skincare brands
- -Dependency on Unilever's supply chain and corporate priorities
- -Environmental concerns regarding packaging and ingredient sourcing
- -Sustainability questions about production practices
Frequently Asked Questions About Simple
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Simple
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: Simple 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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