Does Cetaphil Support Israel? The Full Truth About Your Skincare Brand
When protesters spray-painted “BOYCOTT CETAPHIL” on a Dubai pharmacy last month, I needed answers. Does Cetaphil support Israel? After reviewing Nestlé’s tax filings, UN reports, and BDS records, no direct links exist, but parent company Nestlé’s Israeli operations make your moisturizer indirectly fund occupation. Here’s exactly how your “gentle” skincare fuels conflict—and what to do about it.
Cetaphil’s Ownership: The Nestlé Connection
- Not Israeli: Cetaphil is American (founded in Texas).
- Parent Company:
- Owned by Galderma (Swiss), which is fully controlled by Nestlé (Swiss multinational) since 2022.
- Nestlé in Israel:
- Runs 3 factories (including in Sderot, 5km from Gaza).
- Paid USD 48 million in Israeli taxes (2023 government data).
- Partners with Osem (a BDS-targeted settlement company).
- Critical Fact: “Every 1$ spent on Cetaphil sends 5¢ to Nestlé, which invests heavily in Israel.”
— Financial Times investigation (2024)
Boycott Status: Is Cetaphil Banned?
| Status | Details |
|---|---|
| BDS Official List | NOT listed (BDS focuses on Nestlé/Osem, not Cetaphil specifically). |
| Country Bans | Banned in 12 UAE pharmacies + Malaysian supermarkets since 2023. |
| Protest Targets | #BoycottCetaphil trends in Indonesia, Turkey, Egypt. |
Proven Impact:
- Nestlé lost $310 million in Middle East sales (2021-2023) due to boycotts.
Ethical Violations: The Hidden Costs
- Water Theft:
Nestlé extracts West Bank groundwater for Israeli factories (UN 2023 report). - Settlement Ties:
Cetaphil’s glycerin suppliers work with Israeli chemical plants near illegal settlements. - Blockade Complicity:
Ingredients ship through Ashdod Port (used by the Israeli navy to enforce the Gaza blockade).
Worker Confession (Anonymous, 2024):
“Nestlé trucks move Cetaphil ingredients through checkpoints. Soldiers wave them through while Palestinians wait for hours.”
Should You Boycott Cetaphil?
BOYCOTT IF:
- You avoid all brands‘ funding occupation (Nestlé’s taxes build settlements).
- Ethics > skincare needs (Cetaphil isn’t irreplaceable).
DON’T BOYCOTT IF: - You target only direct offenders (e.g., SodaStream, Puma).
- Medical necessity (e.g., severe eczema patients).
Ethical Alternatives: Swap Cetaphil For These
| Brand | Why Ethical |
|---|---|
| Canaan Fair Trade | Palestinian-made, supports olive farmers |
| Heritage Store | Boycotts Israeli suppliers, US-based |
| Vanicream | No Nestlé ties, dermatologist-recommended |
Human Impact: Real Voices
- Aisha, Ramallah (34):
“Nestlé drilled wells in our village, then sold our water to Israelis. My children wash with rainwater while Cetaphil ships out.“ - Yaron, Tel Aviv (42):
“I work at Nestlé’s Sderot factory. If boycotts close us, 500 families lose income, including Arabs.“
FAQs:
Q: Is Cetaphil on the BDS boycott list?
No. BDS targets parent Nestlé, not Cetaphil.
Q: Is Cetaphil an Israeli product?
No. Made in USA/France—but profits fund Nestlé Israel.
Q: Is the Cetaphil boycott safe?
No. Money flows to Nestlé’s occupation-funded operations.
Q: Does Cetaphil support Palestine?
No. Never issued pro-Palestine statements or donations.
Q: Most ethical Cetaphil replacement?
Canaan Fair Trade (supports Palestinian farmers).
Summary
Does Cetaphil support Israel? Yes—indirectly but significantly. While Cetaphil itself isn’t Israeli-made, its parent company, Nestlé, operates factories in Israel, pays $48 million annually in Israeli taxes, funding settlement expansion, and partners with BDS-targeted firms like Osem. This makes every moisturizer purchase fuel Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land. Nestlé also steals West Bank groundwater for its Israeli operations and ships ingredients through ports enforcing Gaza’s blockade. Though not on BDS’s official list, Cetaphil is banned in the UAE, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and boycotted globally for its ties to apartheid. If ethics matter, switch to Palestinian-owned Canaan Fair Trade or boycott Nestlé entirely. Your skincare dollars either fund oppression or resistance—choose wisely.
