Consumers
We are an integral part of the daily lives for millions of Indians. This positions us uniquely to help consumers look good, feel good and get more out of life.
Our wide and resilient portfolio has 50+ purposeful
brands spanning 16 distinct categories
Glimpse of a few iconic brands over the years
Our brands are interwoven with the India story – whether it’s addressing health and nutritional issues, challenging social barriers, or straddling the entire price-value pyramid. HUL’s iconic brands have strived to deliver superior product benefits to every Indian consumer while conveying a strong purpose that sets them apart.
Surf excel
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Brooke Bond
Red Label
Vim
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Horlicks
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Lifebuoy
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Lakmé
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Dove
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LUX
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Surf excel
A portfolio that crossed $1 billion annual turnover.
1959
The journey of Surf excel since its launch in 1959 has been closely in sync with the evolution of Indian women – from the homemaker to a confident working individual.
In its earliest avatar, Surf excel (then known as Surf) was launched as a one-stop laundry solution.
1985
Lalitaji created by ad guru Alyque Padamsee became one of the most memorable characters in Indian advertising as she persuaded consumers to learn the distinction between 'sasti cheez aur acchi cheez' with the unforgettable, “Surf ke khariddari mein hi samajhdari hai” campaigns.
1996
“Daag Dhoondte Reh Jaoge” catapults Surf’s top performance credentials with innovative concentrate powder.
2005
Where dirt is an enemy, Surf excel does the unthinkable – it embraces dirt because "Daag aache hai".
2014
With the Surf excel Bar, no stain will be a problem - erase every stain with ease.
2016
Launch of Surf excel liquid detergent.
2021
Surf excel embarked on its journey to becoming more sustainable with the launch of Surf excel Matic Liquid with 100% biodegradable actives in the product formulation and 50% recycled plastic in packaging.
2022
Surf excel Shots highlights the fun and convenience of smart laundry with One Shot Laundry.
Horlicks
1873
Horlicks was launched in UK by brothers William Horlick and James.
1883
The process for purifying and drying milk with malt to make the world's first malted milk was patented.
1918
Horlicks came to India with the British Army.
1940-1950
Punjab, Bengal and Madras Presidencies became early adopters of Horlicks.
1960
Factories to manufacture Horlicks were set up in couple of locations in India.
1960-70
Amitabh Bachchan lent his voice to Horlicks Jingles.
1975-78
Factory set-up in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh
2002
Manufacturing plant inaugurated in Sonepat, Haryana.
2003
‘Horlicks Wizkids’, one of the biggest branding events launched.
2005
‘Taller Stronger Sharper’ campaign launched.
2012
‘Ahaar Abhiyaan’ launched with actress Vidya Balan to address malnutrition.
2018
‘Fearless Kota’ campaign launched, tackling the issue of exam pressures.
2020
GSK Consumer Healthcare merged with HUL, bringing Horlicks into HUL’s brand portfolio.
2020
HUL launched its first Horlicks brand campaign that brought alive the courage and confidence children display when they get the right nutrition.
2021-2022
Horlicks expanded its high sciences range in Horlicks with the launch of Protein Plus and Diabetes plus.
2023
Launched Millet Chocolate Horlicks with the goodness of superfood ‘millets.’
Vim
1993
Vim led the revolution in dishwashing in India in 1993 with Vim Bar at a time when the dominant mode of dishwashing was using ash or detergent powder.
2005
Vim becomes the first brand to introduce dishwash gel in India.
2013
Vim’s ‘largest family’ ad with Sakshi Tanwar and ‘Ab waqt hai pehchaan banane ka’ ad of 2015 marks the brand’s shift towards showcasing the impact that faster degreasing can have in unlocking more time for women to pursue their desires.
2021
Vim’s brand communication breaks gender stereotypes with the tagline ‘Nazariya badlo, dekho bartano se aage’ and nudges society to see women beyond archaic roles.
2023
In 2023, Vim launched the Vim black campaign for men that aimed to unsterotype the dishwashing chore.
Lifebuoy
1894
Founded in 1894 by William Hesketh Lever in the UK as the Royal Disinfectant Soap to combat the spread of cholera.
1930
Lifebuoy started exciting educational programmes in schools showing children the importance of handwashing at key occasions including before mealtimes.
1950
By the late 1950s new perfumed soaps had entered the market, targeting consumers seeking protection from body odour.
1964
Lifebuoy’s popularity soared in 1964 in India with the jingle ‘Tandurusti ki raksha karta hai Lifebuoy, Lifebuoy hai jahan tandurusti hai wahan’.
2000
Lifebuoy’s ‘Clean Hands’ campaign made a significant contribution to reducing deaths among children under the age of five by two-thirds and prevent disease.
2007
Lifebuoy worked with 2000 Mumbai families in Unilever’s biggest real-life clinical trial to improve hygiene and family health. At the end of the trial, five-year-old children suffered 25% fewer incidences of diarrhoea.
2008
Lifebuoy was one of the driving forces behind the first ever Global Handwashing Day, uniting with partners to educate and inspire children to adopt a healthy hand hygiene habit.
2013
Lifebuoy had been running on-ground behaviour change programmes to promote handwashing and help prevent diarrhoea and pneumonia among children.
A big unlock in that journey came around with the story of Gondappa.
2019-2022
The brand also played a major role during the COVID-19 pandemic by urging Indians to wash hands with soap, any soap, as the first line of defence against the virus.
Brooke Bond Red Label
1869
Brooke Bond was founded in England by Arthur Brooke.
1903
Brooke Bond launched Red Label in India.
2009
Red Label Natural Care launched.
2010
In 2010, Red Label in its brand communication upheld the benefits of flavonoids in tea.
2014
‘#SwadApnepanKa’ campaign showcased how a ‘cup of chai’ can break barriers and bring people together.
2016
6 Pack Band, India’s first transgender band was launched by Red Label that encouraged social inclusion.
2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the campaign, ‘Dooriyon mein apnapan’ attempted to exemplify that social distancing is not equal to emotional distancing.
Lakmé
1990s
Lakmé entered the Hindustan Unilever Family in 1996.
Inspired by a French Opera named after the Indian Goddess Lakshmi (renowned for her beauty), Lakmé is India’s first & biggest homegrown cosmetics brand.
2000s
Lakmé pioneered India’s biggest fashion showcase ‘Lakmé Fashion Week’, making it the ultimate destination for fashion and beauty in the country.
2010s
Recognising the consumers’ evolving needs for high performance & trending products in makeup and skincare, Lakmé launched the Absolute Range of premium beauty offerings.
2015
Lakmé launched the Lakmé MakeUp Pro app to try out new looks and products in real time.
2023
Lakmé launched the UnapologeticallyMÉ campaign to celebrate women who unapologetically embrace fashion & beauty.
Dove
1957
Dove was launched in 1957 in the US, with the revolutionary new beauty cleansing bar.
2004
Dove’s ‘Real Beauty’ campaign was launched in 2004 which advocated for body positivity.
2007
Dove launched its hair care range in India in 2007 and became the fastest growing shampoo brand in the country.
2015
‘Choose Beautiful’ advertising campaign launched.
2021
‘Stop The Beauty Test’ campaign launched to motivate people to celebrate beauty and unstereotype.
Kwality Wall’s
1956
Kwality Wall's is an amalgamated brand name created in 1956 out of two previously separate independent companies that Unilever took over: Kwality of India and Wall's of Great Britain.
2008
To pamper the Indian sweet tooth, Kwality Wall’s announced its association with Oxigen Services India Pvt. Ltd launching the summer campaign, Scratch & Win.
2019
Mondelez India and Kwality Wall’s partner to launch 'Gems Burst' and 'Oreo & Cream'.
2008
To pamper the Indian sweet tooth, Kwality Wall’s announced its association with Oxigen Services India Pvt. Ltd launching the summer campaign, Scratch & Win.
2022
Kwality Wall’s announces association with Inox to introduce ‘Trixy CineGame’ - a cinema screen gaming experience setting up a perfect launch pad for Trixy Blueberry Cheesecake by Kwality Wall’s.
LUX
1941
LUX launched in India in 1941, with renowned Bollywood actress Leela Chitnis as its brand ambassador.
1950
Filmi Sitaron ka Sabun becomes synonymous with LUX
- Madhubala ad.
1990
By then endorsing LUX became prestigious as its association marked an arrival of a new movie star.
1994
The secret behind beautiful faces of the film industry, LUX Aur Kya campaign, continued to create strong memorability & desirability.
1997
The brand continued to be the Soap of the Stars with iconic actresses endorsing the brand.
2005
In 2005, for the first time a male star ’Sharukh Khan’ endorsed LUX to celebrate glorious 75 years.
2009
Witness a dazzling milestone as Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai become, LUX's first-ever couple.
2019
LUX's latest campaign wowed the audiences with the chemistry of the power couple Virat & Anushka, as her radiant glow, leaves him spellbound.