Listerine
Learn more about our scoring →
About Listerine
Listerine operates as the flagship oral care brand under Kenvue, maintaining market leadership in the mouthwash category since 1879. The brand's clinical heritage centers on antimicrobial efficacy for plaque reduction and gingivitis prevention, with formulations distributed across major retail channels including Target and international markets.
Sustainability performance reflects a brand in transition, with parent company Kenvue driving operational improvements including significant emissions reductions and packaging innovation. However, brand-specific initiatives remain limited, particularly in areas of supply chain transparency, labor standards verification, and comprehensive environmental impact disclosure.
The brand's positioning within Kenvue's portfolio presents both opportunities and constraints, benefiting from corporate-level climate commitments while maintaining traditional oral care industry practices including regulatory-compliant animal testing policies that preclude cruelty-free certification eligibility.
The Good Stuff
Where Listerine appears to be making meaningful progress. We cross-referenced these findings with multiple independent sources.
Aquatic Impact Assessment Standards
Ingredient safety protocols include peer-reviewed aquatic environmental assessment tools and high purity inspection standards for all component deliveries
Recycled Content Packaging Innovation
Packaging incorporates recycled PET content with strategic commitment to fully recyclable, reusable, or compostable materials across product lines
Science-Based Climate Action
Parent company operations demonstrate substantial emissions reductions with verified science-based targets extending through 2030
The Reality Check
Areas where the publicly available data gets murky, incomplete, or concerning. We're transparent about the limitations of our analysis.
Animal Testing Policy Allowance
Brand policy permits animal testing when required by regulatory authorities, preventing qualification for cruelty-free certification programs
Supply Chain Transparency Void
No independent supply chain auditing, traceability data, or labor standards verification disclosed for sourcing operations
Social Impact Program Absence
Brand-specific community engagement, social impact initiatives, and biodiversity protection programs remain undisclosed or non-existent
Listerine's
Impact Aura
A visual representation of Listerine's positive impact
across People, Planet and Animals
Each colored area represents the brand's performance in that sustainability category. The size and intensity of each blob corresponds to their score—larger, more vibrant areas indicate stronger performance.
Our Research
Key findings from our comprehensive analysis of Listerine's sustainability performance across People, Planet & Animals impact.
Positive Impact on People
Research Highlights
- Ingredient safety protocols include high purity standards and inspection procedures for all deliveries
- Formulations exclude parabens and undergo aquatic environmental impact assessment through peer-reviewed methodology
- Labor practices and fair trade standards lack brand-specific disclosure or independent verification
- Supply chain transparency shows no published audit data or traceability metrics for sourcing operations
- Marketing claims remain general without third-party sustainability verification or documented regulatory violations
Evidence Strength
Limited documentation focused on ingredient standards with significant gaps in labor, supply chain, and social impact verification
Positive Impact on Planet
Research Highlights
- Parent company Kenvue achieved substantial operational emissions reduction versus baseline with science-based targets through 2030
- Packaging innovation incorporates recycled content with commitment to fully recyclable, reusable, or compostable materials
- Water stewardship emphasizes operational efficiency but lacks quantitative consumption or impact metrics
- Biodiversity protection and habitat restoration programs show no brand-specific initiatives or partnerships
- Chemical responsibility includes aquatic impact assessment tools but limited external verification beyond internal standards
Evidence Strength
Strong climate action documentation from parent company operations, moderate packaging transparency, limited environmental impact verification
Positive Impact on Animals
Research Highlights
- Animal testing policy allows testing when required by regulatory authorities including international markets
- Vegan certification absent with ingredient sourcing that may include animal-derived components of unspecified origin
- Wildlife conservation and habitat protection show no brand-specific funding or partnership programs
- Sustainable sourcing protocols lack independent certification or supplier environmental standards disclosure
- Conservation support demonstrates no documented funding for animal welfare or protection organizations
Evidence Strength
Comprehensive documentation confirming animal testing allowance and absence of cruelty-free certifications across multiple verification sources
See the Receipts
We don't just make claims—here are the official certifications that prove Listerine's sustainability commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Listerine cruelty-free?
Evidence indicates Listerine is not cruelty-free, as the brand's policy allows animal testing when required by regulatory authorities in certain markets. Independent verification sources confirm this testing allowance prevents qualification for recognized cruelty-free certification programs.
Is Listerine sustainable and environmentally friendly?
Listerine demonstrates mixed sustainability performance with strengths in packaging innovation and parent company climate action, but significant gaps in supply chain transparency, biodiversity protection, and brand-specific environmental initiatives. The overall assessment reveals moderate progress with substantial room for improvement.
Does Listerine test on animals?
Listerine's policy permits animal testing when mandated by regulatory requirements, particularly for international market compliance. This approach aligns with traditional pharmaceutical industry practices but conflicts with modern cruelty-free standards adopted by leading personal care brands.
Is Listerine vegan?
Listerine lacks vegan certification and may contain ingredients of animal origin, including glycerin of unspecified sourcing. The brand has not disclosed comprehensive vegan formulation standards or obtained third-party vegan verification for its product lines.
What makes Listerine's packaging sustainable?
Listerine packaging incorporates recycled PET content with corporate commitments to fully recyclable, reusable, or compostable materials. However, specific recycling infrastructure requirements and end-of-life disposal guidance remain limited in brand communications.
How does Listerine compare to other mouthwash brands on sustainability?
Live By's assessment methodology evaluates Listerine across comprehensive sustainability criteria, revealing moderate performance in packaging and climate action through parent company initiatives, while identifying significant gaps in animal welfare standards, supply chain transparency, and environmental impact disclosure compared to industry leaders.
What are Listerine's ingredient safety standards?
Listerine maintains ingredient safety protocols including high purity inspections, paraben-free formulations, and aquatic environmental impact assessment through peer-reviewed tools. However, comprehensive ingredient sourcing transparency and third-party safety verification remain limited.
Ready to Shop Listerine?
Find Listerine products through our trusted retail partners
Brands That Score Better
The Bottom Line
Listerine represents a traditional oral care brand demonstrating selective sustainability progress through parent company climate initiatives and packaging innovation, while maintaining industry-standard practices that limit advancement in animal welfare, supply chain transparency, and comprehensive environmental stewardship. The brand's sustainability trajectory depends heavily on broader corporate commitments rather than dedicated brand-level innovation.
Compare Brands
See how Listerine stacks up against similar brands