Who Owns Vaseline?

Vaseline's sustainability practices are governed by Unilever's corporate sustainability framework. Unilever does not hold B Corp certification. Vaseline does not have independent sustainability certifications specific to the brand.

Unilever has set a target to reduce virgin plastic use by 30% by 2026 and 40% by 2028 from a 2019 baseline. Vaseline contributes to these targets through packaging redesign and increased use of recycled materials. In 2024, Unilever achieved 93% of its goal to collect and process more plastic packaging than it sells.

Vaseline petroleum jelly is a petroleum-derived product, which has drawn scrutiny from environmental groups concerned about the sustainability of petroleum-based ingredients in personal care. Unilever has explored alternative formulations but has not replaced petroleum jelly in the core product, as no alternative matches its specific occlusive and healing properties.

Unilever's supplier code of conduct includes a Living Wage Promise requiring suppliers to assess and address living wage gaps. The company supported over 80,000 smallholder farmers through livelihood programs in 2024. Vaseline's supply chain benefits from these programs, though the brand's primary ingredient (petroleum jelly) is not an agricultural product.

Vaseline is not certified cruelty free by Leaping Bunny or PETA. Unilever has stated that it does not test products on animals where alternative methods are available and legally accepted, but the company sells in markets like China where animal testing may be required by regulation. This disqualifies the brand from most independent cruelty-free certifications.

Vaseline products are not vegan certified, as some formulations may contain animal-derived ingredients such as glycerin or lanolin. The original petroleum jelly itself is mineral-based and does not contain animal ingredients.

Petroleum-Based Ingredient Scrutiny: Vaseline's core product is derived from petroleum, which has drawn criticism from some environmental and clean beauty advocates. Concerns have been raised about the environmental footprint of petroleum extraction and processing, as well as potential contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Unilever maintains that its purification process meets pharmaceutical-grade standards and that Vaseline petroleum jelly is safe for topical use. Regulatory agencies including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission have approved highly refined petroleum jelly for cosmetic use.

Cruelty-Free Status: Vaseline is not certified cruelty free by Leaping Bunny or PETA because Unilever sells products in markets where animal testing is required by law. This has drawn criticism from some consumer advocacy groups. Unilever has invested in developing alternative testing methods and advocates for the global acceptance of non-animal testing approaches.

No Major Product Recalls: As of August 2026, there are no significant product recalls for Vaseline products listed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the European Commission's Safety Gate rapid alert system. The brand has maintained a strong safety record throughout its 150-plus year history.

Unilever Sustainability Pledge Adjustments: In 2025, Unilever adjusted several sustainability commitments, including scaling back its plastic reduction targets from 50% by 2025 to 30% by 2026 and 40% by 2028. Environmental groups criticized the changes as a step backward. Unilever stated that the revised targets were more realistic and achievable while still representing meaningful progress.