• Browse by: category | company | brand | product type  
  • HOME
  • THE GUIDE
  • ISSUES
  • GET INFORMED
  • GET INVOLVED
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT US
  • All  |
  • Baby  |
  • Clothing  |
  • Food & Drink  |
  • Household  |
  • Office Supplies  |
  • Personal Care  |
  • Pet  |
  • Retail  |
  • Technology  |
  • Toys
  • |  Print Guide  |
  • App
  • Clothing  |
  • Electronics  |
  • Food & Drink  |
  • Household & Personal Care
  • Issues  |
  • New! Clothing  |
  • Why Shop Ethically?  |
  • 5 Principles  |
  • Companies to avoid  |
  • News  |
  • Sign Up for Updates
  • Go ethical at school, work, home  |
  • Campaign  |
  • Spread the Word  |
  • Volunteer  |
  • Workshops  |
  • Movie Nights  |
  • Fundraising
  • All Products  |
  • Shop Ethical! app  |
  • Shop Ethical! book  |
  • Stockists  |
  • Other books  |
  • Fregie sacks  |
  • FREE STUFF!  |
  • DONATE
  • Introduction  |
  • About Us  |
  • Ratings & Assessment  |
  • Media Mentions  |
  • Testimonials  |
  • FAQ

Revlon

OVERALL

Owned
USA
Rating
Criticisms

Cosmetics and personal care products manufacturer

New York socialite Ron Perelman owns about 85% of Revlon. Acquired Elizabeth Arden and Cutex in 2016. Filed for bankruptcy in 2022 to restructure debt.

Company Ownership

Revlon Inc   USA     website   email   facebook   twitter
  MacAndrews & Forbes Inc   
   owns 85% of Revlon Inc  
USA     website         

Holding company

Wholly owned by chairman and CEO Ronald Perelman. Current holdings include investments in public and private companies across a wide range of industries, from cosmetics and entertainment to biotechnology and military equipment. Became majority shareholder of Revlon in 1985.

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Revlon Inc
Animals 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)
Environment 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)
Environment 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)
Environment 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)
Social 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)
Business Ethics Nanoparticles in cosmetics
Testing commissioned by Friends of the Earth Australia found nanoparticles in foundations and concealers sold by Revlon.
Source: FOE (2009)
Business Ethics 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)
Business Ethics 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)
Social 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)
MacAndrews & Forbes Inc
Social Defense & Military
MacAndrews & Forbes is a major shareholder of AM General, a world-leader in the design, engineering, production and technical and parts support of military and special purpose vehicles.
MacAndrews & Forbes is also a major shareholder of SIGA Technologies, who develops products for the prevention and treatment of serious infectious diseases, including products for use in defence against biological warfare agents. SIGA has received significant funding from the US Department of Defense.
Source: company website (2018)
Business Ethics Involvement in gambling
MacAndrews & Forbes is a major shareholder of Scientific Games, provider of customized, end-to-end gaming solutions to lottery and gaming organizations worldwide. Scientific Games' integrated array of products and services include instant lottery games, lottery gaming systems, terminals and services, and internet applications, as well as server-based interactive gaming machines.
Source: company website (2018)
Business Ethics Giving Pledge signatory
Company owner Ronald Perelman has signed the Giving Pledge - a commitment by some of the world's wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy. The campaign has founded by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett in 2009. The pledge is a moral commitment to give, not a legal contract.
Source: Giving Pledge (2014)
Business Ethics OpenSecrets.org profile
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
Source: Open Secrets (2020)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Public company
Revenue 2.3 billion USD (2016)
Employees 5,700 (2016)
Subsidiaries Revlon Australia Pty Ltd 

Cosmetic & beauty care

Revlon Australia was set up in 1956 and principally imports and distributes cosmetics, fragrances and toiletries from overseas, but also undertakes product development and manufacturing for a small number of products. Revlon acquired Elizabeth Arden in 2016.


Elizabeth Arden Inc 

Fragrances and skin care products

Fragrance accounts for more than 75% of the company's sales. Acquired by Revlon in 2016 for US$870m.


  - Elizabeth Arden Australia Pty Ltd 

Cosmetics distributor and importer

Importer and distributor of Elizabeth Arden and other licensed product within the Australian retail setting. They also sell to other distributors in Australia.


Colomer Group 

Hair care products

Founded in 1943 in Spain by Jose Colomer. Bought by Revlon in 1978. Jose Colomer's son Carlos bought the company back in 2000. Manufacturing occurs in Spain, Italy, USA and Mexico. Acquired by Revlon in 2013.


Cutex Brands 

Nail care products

Cutex invented nail polish in 1917. Acquired by Revlon in 2016.

Contact Details

Address New York, New York, USA
Website www.revloninc.com

Products / Brands

Revlon Australia
Almay Cosmetics
Flex Shampoo
Mitchum Deodorant
Revlon Cosmetics
Revlon Shampoo
Revlon Hair Colour
SinfulColors Nail Care

Elizabeth Arden Australia
5th Avenue Fragrances
Alberta Ferretti Fragrances
Badgley Mischka Fragrances
Britney Spears Fragrances
Christina Aguilera Fragrances
Curve Fragrances
Elizabeth Arden Cosmetics
Elizabeth Arden Fragrances
Elizabeth Arden Skin Care
Elizabeth Taylor Fragrances
Giorgio Beverly Hills Fragrances
Green Tea Fragrances
Juicy Couture Fragrances
Mariah Carey Fragrances
Prevage Skin Care
Red Door Fragrances
Rocawear Fragrances
Usher Fragrances
White Tea Fragrances

Cutex Brands
Cutex Cosmetics
Cutex Nail Care


  • About Us

    • Introduction
    • About Shop Ethical!
    • About ECG
    • About the Ratings
    • Assessment sources
    • Shop Ethical! database
    • Shop Ethical! book
    • Shop Ethical! app
    • Contact us
    • FAQ

    • Copyright
    • Privacy
    • Disclaimer
  • Get Informed

    • ISSUES
    • GET INFORMED
    • Electronics Guide
    • Clothing Guide
    • Values Screen
    • Why Shop Ethically?
    • 5 Principles
    • Be Inspired
    • Calendar
    • Local Harvest
  • Get Involved

    • GET INVOLVED
    • Go Ethical at school,
      work, home, church
    • Run a workshop or tour
    • Host a movie night
    • Spread the word
    • Resources
    • Volunteer
    • Support us
  • Connect

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Suggest brand/company
    • Report an error
    • Give feedback
    • Sign up for updates
    • Past newsletters
    • >>DONATE<<

    • GET the GUIDE
        • App Store
        • Google Play
        • buy our book