Sanex
Brand of personal care products owned by Colgate-Palmolive
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Sanex is a brand of personal care products owned by Colgate-Palmolive. It is sold in multiple European countries (including the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Greece, Poland and Croatia) and in South Africa.
 | |
| Product type | Personal care |
|---|---|
| Owner | Colgate-Palmolive (2011–present) |
| Produced by | Colegate-Pamolive Europe |
| Country | Origin: Spain marketing and production: various. |
| Introduced | 1984 |
| Markets | Europe and international |
| Previous owners | Sara Lee Corporation (until 2009) Unilever (2009–2011) |
| Tagline | Keep Skin Healthy |
| Website | www.sanex.co.uk (United Kingdom)
www.sanex.fr (France) www.sanex.es (Spain) www.sanex.co.za (South Africa) |
History
The Sanex brand was introduced by Sara Lee Corporation in 1984 with the launch of Sanex Shower Gel,[1] a pioneer non-soap body cleanser.[2] It was first introduced in Spain and subsequently expanded into other European markets, becoming the company's best-selling household and body care brand.[3][4]
Unilever acquired Sanex in 2009 as part of its purchase of the personal care division of Sara Lee Corporation.[5] The European Commission required the brand's divestment on anti-trust grounds,[6][7] and in 2011 it was sold to Colgate-Palmolive for £580 million (approximately $940 million in US dollars). Its sales in 2010 were €187 million ($265 million).[8][9]
Products
Product lines include deodorant, shower gel, liquid hand soap and body, face and hand moisturisers.
Controversy
On August 19, 2025, a TV advert for Sanex shower gel which showed cracked black skin and smooth white skin was banned in the United Kingdom by the Advertising Standards Authority for reinforcing a racial stereotype.[10]