Simple

Is Simple skincare good for the planet, for animals and for people?

Simple is a skincare brand owned by Unilever, one of the biggest retail corporations in the world. Simple’s products cater predominantly to those with sensitive skin, and due to its affordability and prevalence in supermarkets and pharmacies, is a popular UK skincare brand. However, due to the unethical business activities of Simple’s parent company, this brand, unfortunately, does not score well in The Good Shopping Guide’s Ethical Skincare Ratings Table.

We encourage Simple and other skincare brands that do not gain high Good Shopping Guide scores to keep striving to improve the ethics of their business activities, and to push the skincare sector to lead the way when it comes to protecting the Environment, Animals and People.

Where does Simple receive a high rating?

Simple receives a top rating in the Environmental Report criterion, as Unilever’s latest Annual Report contains information on the company’s sustainability goals, reflecting a commitment to improving its environmental record.

Additionally, Simple has attained a top rating for Nuclear Power, Fossil Fuels and Armaments, as neither the brand nor its parent company was found to profit from any of these practices.

Where does Simple receive a low rating?

Unfortunately, Simple receives a bottom rating for Animal Welfare. This is due to the fact that its parent company, Unilever, confirms on its website that it tests on animals when legally required, such as when its products are sold in the Chinese market.

Simple also receives a bottom rating for Political Donations, as Unilever makes regular political donations in the United States, amounting to hundreds thousands of dollars in the past few years.

How could Simple become an ethical brand?

Simple’s GSG score is held back by its parent corporation, Unilever. We encourage Unilever to clean up its act and cease all of its unethical activities, in order to see its subsidiaries’ scores rise higher in our ethical ratings.