Unilever are a company with a tarnished record when it comes to Nature Conservation. The manufacturer of Dove and Pond’s creams are under the spot light for tapping the natural and base ingredient for this products from highly endangered shark species.
These products can be replace with similar oils found in olives.
Squalene is a natural organic compound originally obtained for commercial purposes primarily from shark liver oil, though there are botanic sources as well, including amaranth seed, rice bran, wheat germ, and olives. All higher organisms produce squalene, including humans. It is a hydrocarbon and a triterpene.
It had come to light that they admitted that the natural oils they use in their products are from endangered shark species on the cities protected species list.
Shark Liver Oil and Squalene
Sharks use oil in their livers to help regulate their buoyancy. Sharks that live in deeper water tend to have more oil in their livers. One of the main components of shark liver oil is a compound called squalene. Squalene and its derivative squalane can be found as ingredients in cosmetic products, ranging from anti-aging cream to lip gloss. Sharks, especially deep sea sharks, are targeted for the high concentration of squalene found in their livers. Many of these sharks are slow growing and mature late in life making it difficult to recover from exploitation. As a result, many shark populations are declining in the name of beauty. However, alternative squalene sources exist, including olive oil, rice bran, wheat germ, and amaranth seeds. Oceana is working to convince cosmetic companies to discontinue use of squalene and squalane from sharks.
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