Cosmetics firms end shark oil usage

Unilever has announced plans to phase out the use of shark oil, also known as squalene, in its cosmetics products, joining several other leaders in the sector in committing to end its use of the product.

Campaign group Oceana has been pressurising the companies to replace the compound, which is found in shark levels and used as a base in moisturisers, with oil derived from plants.

Unilever is aiming to replace all products containing shark oil from shop shelves by this April, while L'Oreal began a phase out of production using squalene in 2006 and aims to complete the process later this year.

The cosmetic firms' moves toward sustainability has been warmly welcomed by Oceana, which has attempted to draw attention to the detrimental affect that shark fishing for squalene was having on deep sea populations of the fish.

"Oceana is satisfied to see that some of the biggest names in the cosmetics industry are recognising their corporate social responsibilities and choosing not to contribute to the extinction of these important animals," said Rebecca Greenberg, a marine siencist with the group.

The Guardian reported that UK high-street chemist Boots confirmed that it had never used shark oil in its cosmetics. ADNFCR-1231-ID-18449914-ADNFCR