Colgate-Palmolive is NOT cruelty-free or vegan.
This means Colgate Palmolive tests on animals directly or through third-parties and uses animal-derived ingredients. Some brands that fall under this category only test on animals where required by law, which means they’re not cruelty-free.
Brands currently owned by Colgate-Palmolive:
| Afta | hello products | Softlan |
| Ajax | Hill's | Softsoap |
| Axion | Irish Spring | Sorrisco |
| Brite | Lady Speed Stick | Soupline |
| Colgate | Meridol | Speedstick |
| Cuddly | Murphy Oil Soap | Sta-soft |
| Dermassage | Palmolive | Suavitel |
| Elmex | Palmolive Naturals | Tahiti |
| Fabuloso | Pinhosol | Teen Spirit |
| Fleecy | Protex | Tender Care |
| Fluffy | Sanex | Tom's Of Maine (learn more) |
| Gard | Skin Bracer | Ultra Brite |
Company Overview
Colgate-Palmolive is a worldwide consumer products company which was founded in 1806 in New York City, USA and is the oldest company on this list. It’s #1 in the world in toothpaste sales. Their portfolio consists of products in personal care, oral care, home care, and pet care.
Animal Testing Policy
I was able to find a company PDF which details their animal testing policy; relevant information as follows:
“Animal testing is only conducted where specifically required by regulatory agencies or where alternative testing methods are unavailable to ensure the safety of our products.”
They are listed by PETA as a “company working toward regulatory change,” but they do still test on animals with no concrete date set to stop.
They have a moratorium on animal testing of all adult personal care products and ingredients since 1999, but this is not a ban since a moratorium is only an indefinite and possibly temporary pledge.
Product categories currently impacted by Colgate-Palmolive’s moratorium on animal testing are:
“[…] underarm deodorants; hair shampoos; hair conditioners and styling aids; men’s and women’s fragrances; after-shave lotions; men’s and women’s talcs; shaving cream; bar soaps; liquid soaps and shower gels.”
This doesn’t change the fact that they still profit from the sale of products that they do test on animals, so even buying one of their “cruelty-free” brands is supporting a company that tests on animals when they feel it’s necessary for their other non-personal care products.
Colgate Palmolive also sells its products in China, which requires “safety” animal testing by law. But don’t believe for a second that Colgate Palmolive is “required” to test on animals because of China’s laws.
The fact remains that no one is forcing Colgate-Palmolive to sell products in mainland China. They have chosen to sell products somewhere that requires animal testing and they are therefore guilty of directly causing unnecessary animal suffering simply to satisfy their own greed.
Read their full animal testing policy.
Looking for cruelty-free brands?
Browse my curated list of cruelty-free brands to find brands that are 100% vegan and 100% cruelty-free.