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Listerine is neither cruelty-free nor vegan. It either tests ingredients and products on animals personally or works with suppliers or third parties who do so, also selling products in markets where animal testing can be mandated by law.
Is Listerine Cruelty-Free?
Mouthwash giant Listerine is not cruelty-free!
Listerine either tests ingredients and products on animals themselves or works with third party suppliers who do. The brand also sells products in markets where animal testing can be mandated by law.
Listerine features on our list of brands who are not cruelty-free.
Listerine Ethical Overview
- No Listerine isn’t cruelty-free
- Yes it sells products in China
- No Listerine isn’t vegan as whilst the products themselves are free-from animal ingredients, it is not cruelty-free
- It isn’t palm oil-free
- Listerine is owned by Johnson & Johnson
Is Listerine sold in China?
Yes Listerine sells products in mainland China. It has a China specific website that targets the Chinese market: https://www.listerine.com.cn/
According to this report mouthwash sales continue to grow rapidly in China – more rapidly than any other FMCG product – and Johnson & Johnson have pushed Listerine harder than ever in the market.
And selling imported cosmetics in China still puts products at risk of being tested on animals in pre or post market.
Whilst we cannot now claim that countries involved in selling products in China can be cruelty-free, China’s animal testing policy is no longer as black and white is it seemed.
Is Listerine Vegan?
Listerine is not a vegan brand. Whilst the mouthwash itself doesn’t contain any animal byproducts, the brand is complicit in animal testing around the world and can’t be considered vegan.
Cruelty-Free Alternatives to Listerine
There are some fantastic cruelty-free alternatives to Listerine and our favourite cruelty-free, vegan mouthwash page is a great starting point.
FAQs
Listerine is an American mouthwash other oral hygiene brand owned by Johnson & Johnson since the company acquired Pfizer’s consumer healthcare division in 2006.
No Listerine isn’t certified cruelty-free by any organisations because the brand is complicit in cosmetic animal testing, as is Johnson & Johnson. Either by testing on animals themselves or through third parties.
No Listerine isn’t Leaping Bunny certified and features on PETA’s tests on animals list.
No Listerine is not palm-oil free as some of its products utilise palm oil based derivatives.
Johnson & Johnson is a member of the RSPO so the palm oil used is at least sustainable and its sourcing policy has improved in recent times.
Listerine either test on animals personally, works with suppliers / third parties who test on animals on the brand’s behalf or both. Whilst also selling products in markets where this can be mandated by law.
Whilst Listerine has a natural range – 96% of the products ingredients have a natural origin and the formula is biodegradable – its traditional products do not qualify as natural as it contains artificial sweeteners and preservatives.
Yes Listerine is free-from parabens. Skinsafe reviewed the product and found that it is free-from 91% of all top allergens, including parabens.
