Who Owns Vaseline?
Vaseline is owned by Unilever, a British-Dutch multinational consumer goods corporation. Founded in 1870 by Robert Chesebrough, Vaseline became part of Unilever when the company acquired Chesebrough Manufacturing Company in 1987. The brand is headquartered globally under Unilever in London, UK and Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Parent Company
Unilever plc
Acquired
1987
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
London, UK / Rotterdam, Netherlands
Who Owns Vaseline?
- Parent Company: Unilever plc
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 1987
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: ULVR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Vaseline | Unilever plc | Wholly owned |
History of Vaseline
- Founded: 1870
- Founders: Robert Chesebrough
- Acquired by Unilever plc: 1987
Vaseline was founded in 1870 by Robert Chesebrough, a chemist who had previously clarified lamp oil from sperm oil. In 1859, Chesebrough traveled to the oil fields in Titusville, Pennsylvania to research new materials that might be created from the new fuel source.
There, he learned about a residue called "rod wax" that had to be periodically removed from oil rig pumps. Oil workers had been using this substance to heal cuts and burns. Chesebrough took samples of the rod wax back to Brooklyn, extracted the usable petroleum jelly, and began manufacturing a medicinal product he called Vaseline.
The first known reference to the name Vaseline appeared in a U.S. patent in 1872, where Chesebrough stated: "I, Robert Chesebrough, have invented a new and useful product from petroleum which I have named Vaseline..."
The name "vaseline" is said to be derived from German "Wasser" (water) plus Greek "έλαιον" (elaion, "oil").
Vaseline was made by the Chesebrough Manufacturing Company until the company merged with Pond's in 1955. The merged company was purchased by Unilever in 1987, bringing Vaseline into Unilever's portfolio.
Under Unilever ownership, Vaseline has grown significantly, recently passing the €1 billion mark in annual sales and delivering double-digit growth in 2023. The brand has expanded from its original petroleum jelly to include a wide range of skincare products including lotions, creams, soaps, and cleansers.
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 Vaseline Made / Based?
- Headquarters: London, UK / Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Manufacturing / Operations: United Kingdom, United States, India, Global Unilever facilities
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- Dove - Personal care brand owned by Unilever, known for beauty bars and skincare produc...
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- 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...
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- Pepsodent - Global toothpaste brand owned by Unilever outside North America, founded in 1915...
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Vaseline Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Over 150 years of skincare healing expertise backed by Unilever's extensive R&D investment
- +€1 billion beauty brand with strong market position and double-digit growth
- +Wide product range from original petroleum jelly to modern skincare formulations
- +Strong global distribution through Unilever's established retail channels
- +Trusted reputation for healing and skin protection supported by medical heritage
Considerations
- -Premium pricing compared to store-brand alternatives
- -Competition from other skincare brands and natural/organic alternatives
- -Dependency on Unilever's supply chain and corporate policies
- -Environmental concerns about petroleum-based products
- -Need to adapt to modern consumer preferences for clean beauty formulations
Frequently Asked Questions About Vaseline
Where to Buy
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Vaseline on AmazonCompetitors to Vaseline
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: Vaseline 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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