History of Dove
Dove is a personal care brand owned by Unilever. Its origins lie in a gentle cleansing compound developed during the Second World War for use on soldiers' skin. The formula was later adapted for everyday use, and Lever Brothers launched the Dove Beauty Bar in the United States in 1957. Unlike traditional soap, the bar contained one-quarter moisturising cream, and it was marketed as less drying and more gentle on the skin.
Over the following decades, Dove expanded from a single bar into a wide range of body washes, deodorants, hair care, and skincare products, all built around the brand's focus on moisture and mildness. In 2010, Unilever launched Dove Men+Care, extending the brand to men's grooming products.
In 2004, Dove launched its "Campaign for Real Beauty," which used women of different ages, shapes, and skin tones in its advertising instead of professional models. The campaign, along with the Dove Self-Esteem Project and later efforts such as the "Real Beauty Sketches" video in 2013, became one of the most widely discussed marketing initiatives of its time, although the brand has also faced criticism over some of its advertising choices.
Today, Dove is one of Unilever's largest brands, sold in more than 150 countries. It continues to position itself around self-esteem and inclusive beauty messaging while expanding its product range with new formulas and refillable packaging.