Nail care products
Cutex invented nail polish in 1917. Acquired by Revlon in 2016.
Company Ownership
Cutex Brands
USA
Revlon Group Holdings
owns 100% of Cutex Brands
USA
Cosmetics and personal care
New York socialite Ron Perelman owned about 85% of Revlon from 1985 until 2023 when the company emerged from bankruptcy with lenders taking ownership of the company. Acquired Elizabeth Arden and Cutex in 2016.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Jan 2023)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Cutex Brands
No assessment data currently available for Cutex Brands.
Revlon Group Holdings
Praise
Criticism
Information
Palm oil rating - WAZA
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "No Commitment" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA
(2023)
Animal Testing
This company appears on PETA's (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, USA) 'Companies That Do Test On Animals' list, signifying that they manufacture products that are tested on animals at some stage of development.
Source: PETA
(2022)
Unsustainable palm oil use
This company scores Ethical Consumer's worst rating for their use of palm oil, signifying they are using no or minimal certified palm products, and with no or minimal positive commitments.
Source: Ethical Consumer
(2022)
Microbeads scorecard
In 2016 Greenpeace East Asia ranked the world's 30 biggest personal care companies on their commitment to eliminating microbeads from their personal care products. The scorecard was based on four main criteria: commitment & transparency, definition, deadline and global application. This company was one of the lowest ranked.
Source: Greenpeace
(2016)
Use of microplastics
This company uses plastic microbeads in some of its personal care products. These particles are not retained by wastewater treatment so end up in the ocean where they contribute to ocean plastic pollution, and are hazardous to sea life. While the effects of microplastics on human health are not completely understood, there are concerns about plastic additives, such as phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors which are shown to have harmful effects on life.
Source: Beat the Microbead
(2021)
Prison labour in USA
Major corporations, including this one, use prison labour in the USA, where prisoners are paid slave wages as low as 23 cents an hour doing work which is often dangerous, toxic and unprotected. While much of the work done by prisoners is for the military, other major corporations are taking advantage of the cheap labour in both federal and state US prisons.
Source: Global Research
(2013)
Nanoparticles in cosmetics
Testing commissioned by Friends of the Earth Australia found nanoparticles in foundations and concealers sold by Revlon.
Source: FOE
(2009)
Misleading shareholders
In 2013 Revlon agreed to pay an $850,000 penalty to settle a complaint by the US Securities and Exchange Commission for hiding information from independent directors and misleading shareholders regarding a 2009 transaction.
Source: news article
(2013)
Sustainability claims
This company has sustainability claims on its website in the areas of responsible sourcing, supporting women's health initiatives, and employee wellbeing.
Source: company website
(2019)
Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: company website
(2016)
Company Details
Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Founded:
1911