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If you wonder, “Is Degree cruelty-free?”, you’re in the right place. At Conscious Bunny, we go beyond just cruelty-free claims — we also check if a brand is vegan, clean, ethical, and sustainable. Below, find everything you need to decide if Degree fits your conscious beauty values.
Is Degree Cruelty-Free?
No, Degree is not cruelty-free. They may test on animals, either themselves, through their suppliers, or through a third party.
Is Degree Owned By A Cruelty-Free Parent Company?
Degree is owned by Unilever, a company that tests on animals.
Many brands are owned by larger companies (we call them parent companies) like L’Oréal, Estée Lauder, or Procter & Gamble—some of which still conduct animal testing.
Although the parent company may not be cruelty-free, some brands under their umbrella follow strict no-animal-testing policies and are considered cruelty-free.
Some consumers avoid brands with non-cruelty-free parents, while others support the cruelty-free brand itself. We provide this info so you can decide what feels right for you.
Is Degree Cruelty-Free Certified?
No, Degree is not certified by any organization.
Companies can be fully cruelty-free without being certified, but certifications are a good indicator of their ethical practices. The most trusted organizations that give out certifications are PETA and Leaping Bunny.
Is Degree Sold Where Animal Testing Is Required By Law?
Degree is available for sale in countries with mandatory animal testing, including China.
In countries like China, some cosmetics still face mandatory animal testing, especially when sold in physical stores.
China has historically required animal testing, but since 2023, brands can enter the Chinese market without funding animal testing. Just remember that while China is easing its rules, not all brands sold there are automatically cruelty-free. Read our detailed guide on Animal Testing Laws In China to learn more.
Is Degree Vegan?
Degree is not vegan, meaning that some of its products may contain animal-derived ingredients.
A brand is considered 100% vegan when all its products contain no animal-derived ingredients. Some brands may offer only a selection of vegan products rather than a fully vegan lineup.
Check out our 100% Vegan Beauty Brands A-Z list, or use our free Vegan Ingredient Checker to determine whether a specific product contains animal-derived ingredients.
Is Degree Vegan Certified?
No, Degree is not certified by any organization.
To help you easily identify vegan brands, several organizations like Vegan Action, The Vegan Society, and The Vegetarian Society provide trusted certifications similar to cruelty-free certifications, like PETA and Leaping Bunny.
Is Degree Clean?
No, Degree is not a clean brand. Many of their products contain Aluminum sesquichlorohydrate, BHT, EDTA, Disodium EDTA, Aluminum chlorohydrate, Polyethylene, Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly, Aluminum zirconium pentachlorohydrate, and Talc – ingredients tht aren’t considered clean.
What “clean” means to us:
The term “clean beauty” isn’t regulated, which means brands can use labels like clean, natural, or green without clear standards.
For us, clean beauty means avoiding ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and formaldehyde that are known or suspected to negatively impact human health, animals, or the environment.
Check out our Clean Beauty Brands A-Z list, or use our free Clean Ingredients Checker to determine whether a specific product contains toxic ingredients.
Is Degree Organic?
No, Degree is not certified organic and does not use organic ingredients in its products.
Is Degree Safe?
Everyone’s skin is different, and no product is completely risk-free. However, here’s what we found about Degree when it comes to common concerns like breakouts, allergies, and irritants.
*This information is not medical advice. If you have allergies or sensitivities, consult with your doctor or dermatologist before using new products.
Is Degree Fragrance-Free?
No, Degree is not fragrance-free.
Is Degree Paraben-Free?
Based on the research I did through random sampling, Degree products are paraben-free. However, I recommend checking the ingredients of the specific product you want to purchase to be sure.
Is Degree Gluten-Free?
No, Degree is not gluten-free. The brand does not share any information on the use of gluten in their products, which probably means their products may contain gluten.
Is Nut-Free?
No, Degree is not nut-free. The brand does not share any information on the use of nuts in their products, which probably means their products may contain nuts.
Is Degree Talc-Free?
No, Degree is not talc-free.
If you’d like to learn more about the potential health risks of talc, feel free to read my in-depth article about talc in makeup.
Is Degree Ethical?
We’re all about supporting brands that walk the talk. To us, ethical or conscious brands demonstrate this through their actions, from environmental sustainability and ethical sourcing to social responsibility, transparency, and accountability.
If you care about making more conscious choices, we’ve researched and answered the key questions to help you find products that align with your values. Here’s what we found:
Where Is Degree Manufactured?
Degree products are made in USA, Canada, Australia, Philippines, and the UK.
We share this because manufacturing location can impact labor and environmental standards. If you’d like to learn more about this, please read This Is Why Where Your Beauty Products Are Made Matters.
Is Degree Sustainable?
Yes, Degree is somewhat committed to sustainability.
According to the brand, they’re working on several sustainability initiatives—including developing lightweight deodorant spray nozzles, incorporating recycled plastic (PCR) across their product lines, cutting down on overall plastic use, and creating packaging that’s easier to recycle.
They also say they’ve been improving energy efficiency, adopting cleaner technologies, and shifting to renewable energy sources to help lower their carbon footprint.
Is Degree Socially Responsible?
Yes, Degree is socially responsible.
The brand partnered with Kevin Durant and the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation to donate $1 million to sports programs and recreation centers in some of the U.S.’s most underserved communities.
Degree has also partnered with Achilles International to donate $50,000 to help up to 100 athletes participate in races and overcome self-doubt about engaging in sports.
Globally, they have also partnered with Beyond Sport to help millions of young people around the world transform their lives through the power of movement.
Does Degree Source Ingredients Ethically?
According to Unilever, the parent company, 82% of its core palm oil volumes were sustainably sourced by the end of 2024. This includes 100% of its palm oil and 64% of its palm kernel oil and derivatives.
Of the total, 62% came from certified sources such as RSPO Mass Balance, RSPO Segregated, or an equivalent standard verified by an independent third party.
The remaining 20% was purchased through RSPO independent smallholder credits, where Unilever remains one of the largest buyers.
Is Degree Environmentally Certified?
No, Degree is not environmentally certified by any organization.
We check whether Degree has any recognized environmental or ethical certifications. This includes sustainability-focused labels like COSMOS, Climate Neutral, and 1% for the Planet, and broader ethical certifications like Fair Trade and B Corp.
Why Trust Conscious Bunny?
Our mission is to make it easier for you by providing clear, fact-based insights. We research everything and reach out to brands directly to gather details about their full animal testing policy, as well as details on their ingredients, sustainability efforts, and more.
Only brands that confirm no animal testing at any stage are added to our cruelty-free list. We also regularly update our information as laws or practices change. To learn more about our thorough process, check out how we rate brands.
I hope that this post answered all your questions about Degree. If not, please feel free to leave a comment below or reach out through the contact form. I’m more than happy to help!
Here are some of the resources we provide to help you on your cruelty-free journey:
- Cruelty-Free Symbols & Vegan Labels
- Parent Companies And Their Cruelty-Free Brands
- What Makes A Beauty Product Vegan?
- Difference Between Vegan And Vegetarian Beauty
- What Is Clean Beauty & Why Would You Care?
- How To Spot Greenwashing In Beauty
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