Losing hair feels like losing a part of yourself—especially for women. Our hair is more than just strands of protein; it’s an expression of who we are. While hair loss is common, a receding hairline is another beast altogether. Unlike general hair fall, a receding hairline is trickier to reverse, as it’s often influenced by genetics, age, hormones, and lifestyle. If it runs in your family, you might not be able to stop it entirely—but you can slow it down and even stimulate fresh growth. A consistent hair care routine, the right products, and smart lifestyle changes can make all the difference. But prevention and early intervention is crucial here.
So, if you’re looking for hairline growth tips and wondering how to stop a receding hairline, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get into it!
What is a Receding Hairline?
A receding hairline refers to the gradual thinning or loss of hair along the forehead, typically around the temples, causing the hairline to move backward. This condition is most commonly associated with male-pattern baldness, but it can also affect women, particularly with age or hormonal changes.
A receding hairline is often one of the earliest signs of hair loss and can vary in severity. While it may start as subtle thinning at the temples, over time it can progress, creating an "M" shape, where the hairline becomes higher in the middle compared to the sides.
What are the Causes of Receding Hairline?
1. Genetics
Before panicking, take a step back and play detective. What’s causing your hairline to retreat? Is it genetic? If your parents or grandparents had it, you might be predisposed.
Dr Madhuri Agarwal, Founder & Medical Director of Yavana Aesthetics Clinic, highlights that a receding hairline often stems from a confluence of modern lifestyle stressors. “Poor dietary habits—such as irregular meal timings and excessive consumption of processed foods—along with chronic sleep deprivation, escalating pollution levels, hormonal imbalances, and damaging styling practices all play a role,” she explains. Additionally, environmental factors, including ozone layer depletion and endocrine-disrupting chemicals in food, further exacerbate hair thinning.”
She also points out the rising correlation between gym supplements, high-sugar diets, and hair loss. “We’re also seeing a phenomenon often referred to as ‘chicken eaters’ hair loss,’ caused by hormones and antibiotics present in commercially farmed poultry,” she notes. Underlying medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, and the side effects of certain medications, can also accelerate hairline recession.
Consulting a dermatologist can help pinpoint the cause. Blood tests are often the first step in identifying underlying issues, after which treatments may include lifestyle tweaks, supplements, scalp care therapies, prescription medications and in-clinic procedures like PRP and exosomes.
2. Nutritional Deficiencies
Nutritional deficiencies, particularly a lack of vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, biotin, and vitamin D, can significantly impact hair health. These nutrients play vital roles in hair growth by strengthening hair follicles and promoting new growth. Deficiency in any of these nutrients can weaken the hair shaft, leading to thinning and a receding hairline. Ensuring a balanced diet rich in these essential vitamins and minerals can support healthy hair growth and prevent further hair loss.
3. Lifestyle Factors
Stress, poor sleep, smoking, and unhealthy habits can contribute to a receding hairline. Chronic stress can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, where hair prematurely enters the shedding phase. Smoking reduces blood circulation to the scalp, depriving hair follicles of essential nutrients. Lack of sleep and poor diet also disrupt the hair growth cycle. Adopting a healthier lifestyle, managing stress, and ensuring sufficient rest can help promote hair growth and prevent hairline recession.
4. Environmental Stressors
Environmental stressors such as pollution, harsh weather conditions, and exposure to chemicals in hair products can damage hair, leading to a receding hairline. Pollutants in the air can weaken the hair structure, while prolonged sun exposure can dry out the scalp and damage hair follicles. Harsh chemicals in hair dyes and styling products can further irritate the scalp and hinder hair growth. Protecting your hair from environmental stressors by using protective products and avoiding excessive exposure can help reduce hair loss.
5. Gym Supplements & Processed Foods
Excessive use of gym supplements, especially those containing anabolic steroids or excessive protein, can disrupt hormone levels and lead to hair thinning. Processed foods, high in sugars, unhealthy fats, and additives, may also impact overall health, leading to imbalances in the body that affect hair growth. A poor diet can contribute to nutritional deficiencies, which in turn can cause hair loss. Opting for a balanced, whole-food diet and limiting supplement use can help maintain hair health and prevent a receding hairline.
Effective Hair Growth Tips to Restore Your Hairline
1. Scalp Health & Hair Care Routine
Think of your scalp as the soil for your hair. If it’s dry, clogged, or inflamed, your follicles won’t thrive. A dedicated scalp care routine can make all the difference in how to regrow a hairline. Here’s are 3 easy starting points:
Use the Right Hair Oil for Hair growth :
Indian households swear by the classic champi, but not all oils are created equal. Instead of plain coconut oil, try Indulekha Hair Growth Oil, a powerhouse blend infused with Bhringraj, known for stimulating hair regrowth. The built-in comb applicator ensures even distribution while improving scalp circulation. But remember, hair oiling is not for everyone.
Make The Swap To The Modern-Day Elixirs: Scalp Serums :
Oils are great, but they don’t work for everyone. If you have an oily scalp (hello, scalp acne sufferers!), water-based scalp serums are your best bet. While India is finally catching onto scalp serums, they’ve been a staple in the west for years. Scalp serums are lightweight, water-based treatments infused with active ingredients that penetrate the scalp without leaving greasy residue or clogging pores. One of my favourites? Dove Scalp Serum—it strengthens the scalp’s barrier, preventing hair thinning and breakage at the root. It’s packed with niacinamide and zinc peptides to strengthen your scalp and prevent breakage.
Maintain a Consistent Hair Care Routine :
There’s a myth that frequent shampooing leads to hair loss. Not true! Your wash frequency should depend on your scalp’s needs. Greasy scalp? Wash more often. Sweat a lot? Shampoo post-workout. Use styling products daily? Wash them out! Try and stick to a routine for a few weeks to ensure that your products have enough time to work instead of frequently experimenting with new products. Here’s a simple hair care routine to follow:
Gentle Cleansing: Dr Madhuri says “Choose a shampoo based on your hair type—clarifying for oily scalps, hydrating for dry ones, and gentle formulas for fine hair. Avoid double shampooing, as it strips natural oils and hinders growth. Always follow up with a conditioner suited to your hair needs—deep conditioning for dry, frizzy hair and lightweight formulas for oily hair.” If you use a lot of styling products, invest in a clarifying shampoo and use it once a week to get rid of any product build-up that might be clogging your hair and scalp.
Deep Conditioning: Hydrating masks or leave-in conditioners prevent dryness and breakage. My pick is the Dove 10-in-1 repair hair mask.
Weekly Scalp TLC: Incorporate scalp exfoliators, serums, and oils into your weekly everything showers.
Smart Styling: Avoid tight ponytails, excessive brushing, and heat styling without protection.
Switch to Silk: Silk pillowcases reduce friction, preventing unnecessary hair breakage. They’re great for your skin too.
Pro Tip:
Never let your hair air dry, contrary to popular belief, this does more harm than good. Blowdry your hair on low heat and always use a heat protectant before blow-drying or styling. Wet hair is most vulnerable, so be gentle and don’t brush it while it’s wet. Dr Madhuri adds “Blow-dry in a downward motion to reduce frizz. Avoid straightening and rebonding, as they can worsen breakage. Instead, consider a professional keratin treatment at a reputed salon with an expert stylist for a smoother, healthier look.”
2. Tretinoin: The Secret Hair Growth Ingredient
Surprise! Your go-to acne cream might help your hairline too. Tretinoin (a form of Vitamin A) is gaining popularity for its ability to increase cell turnover and enhance the absorption of hair growth treatments like minoxidil.
But how should you use it? Consult a dermatologist to diagnose the actual cause of hair loss and especially if you have sensitive skin and a sensitive scalp or scalp conditions like eczema.
How to use tretinoin for a receding hairline:
Experts recommend Apply a pea-sized amount (0.025% or 0.05%) to the hairline at night.
Follow up with a nourishing oil or serum to counteract dryness.
Use 2-3 times a week to avoid irritation.
Always apply sunscreen the next morning (tretinoin increases sun sensitivity).
3. Feed Your Follicles: Nutrition & Lifestyle Matter
You can’t out-supplement a bad diet. Shampoos and serums can only do so much—real hair health starts from within. Nutrient deficiencies are often the root cause of hair thinning and breakage. If you want to regrow your hairline, what you eat is just as important as what you apply. Here’s what your plate should look like.
Essential Nutrients for Hair Growth:
You can’t out-supplement a bad diet when it comes to hair health. Protein-rich foods like eggs, lentils, and nuts help build strong hair. If you struggle to get enough protein, consider supplementing with protein powder. Iron and biotin are crucial for hair growth, and if you're deficient, supplements can support your hairline (consult a doctor first). Hydration is also key—drink plenty of water or try coconut water and fruit-infused options for variety. The right mix of supplements, including antioxidants, vitamins A, C, D, Omega-3, and minerals like magnesium, selenium, and calcium, nourishes and strengthens your hair.
Lifestyle Changes for Hairline Health:
In addition to a balanced diet, stress management is vital for maintaining a healthy hairline. Chronic stress accelerates hair loss, so incorporating stress-reducing practices like yoga or meditation into your routine can make a big difference. Dr. Madhuri emphasizes that quality sleep aligned with your circadian rhythm helps reduce stress and fatigue, promoting a healthier hair growth cycle. Engaging in hobbies can also relieve stress, creating a balanced mindset that indirectly prevents hair fall, supporting long-term hair health.
According to Dr Madhuri, “The right mix of supplements boosts hair growth. Antioxidants fight free radicals, while iron, calcium, amino acids, magnesium, and selenium support hair structure. Vitamins A, C, D, Omega-3, and co-enzymes further nourish the hair. Quality sleep aligned with your circadian rhythm reduces stress and fatigue, promoting a healthier hair growth cycle. Engaging in hobbies too helps relieve stress, indirectly preventing hair fall by creating a balanced, relaxed mindset.”
4. Microneedling & PRP: When You Need Extra Help
If natural remedies aren’t cutting it, dermatological treatments like microneedling and PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy can work wonders. For chronic cases, dermatologists recommend microneedling and PRP (aka your blood’s growth factors re-injected into your scalp) to stimulate regrowth.
What it does: The process involves drawing your blood, isolating the plasma, and injecting it into the scalp using tiny needles to promote collagen production and hair regrowth. Each session costs upwards of ₹10,000 and your dermatologist will determine the number of treatments needed.
Results are guaranteed to please you making this worth the investment if you're serious about regrowing a receding hairline.
5. Hair Transplants: A Great Solution, Not The Final Step
A hair transplant isn’t necessarily the last resort—it’s an option when bald patches or severe thinning make regrowth unlikely. This surgical procedure involves transferring hair follicles from denser areas to the receding hairline. It’s expensive, requires patience, and isn’t a quick fix—but it delivers permanent results if done correctly. According to Dr. Madhuri Agarwal, “while transplants restore lost hair, ongoing treatments are essential to prevent further hair loss in non-transplanted areas.”
Now that you know how to stop a receding hairline, we hope that you give your scalp the care it needs. And remember, regrowing a hairline doesn’t happen overnight, but with dedication, the right hair care routine, and a mix of traditional and modern treatments, you can slow down hairline recession and even reverse some of the damage. Start small—be consistent with scalp care, nourish your body, and don’t be afraid to seek professional help when needed.
FAQs on Hairline Regrowth
Q1: Can a receding hairline grow back naturally?
A. Yes, a receding hairline can sometimes grow back naturally, especially if it’s caused by factors like stress or poor diet. By improving your lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, and using natural remedies like oils, some people may see regrowth. However, genetic causes like male-pattern baldness may require medical treatments for noticeable results.
Q2: How long does it take to see hairline growth results?
A. It can take several months (usually 3–6 months) to notice visible results from hairline regrowth treatments or natural remedies. Patience and consistency are key in the process, as hair growth is slow and gradual.
Q3: Which oils are best for hairline regrowth?
A. Several oils are known for promoting hair growth, including:
Castor oil – Rich in ricinoleic acid, helps improve circulation to the scalp and promotes hair growth.
Rosemary oil – Known to stimulate hair follicles and improve circulation, it may help regrow hair.
Peppermint oil – It has a refreshing effect and can stimulate blood flow to the scalp, encouraging hair growth.
Argan oil – Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, it nourishes and strengthens hair.
Q4: Does massaging the scalp help with hairline growth?
A.Yes, massaging the scalp can improve blood circulation to the hair follicles, which can support hair growth. Regular scalp massages may help stimulate the hairline and improve the absorption of hair growth oils and treatments.
Are there any treatments for restoring the hairline?
A. Yes, there are various treatments available for restoring the hairline, including:
Minoxidil (Rogaine): A topical solution that can promote hair regrowth for both men and women.
Hair transplants: Surgical procedures like follicular unit transplantation (FUT) or follicular unit extraction (FUE) can restore hair to a receding hairline.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): A non-surgical treatment where your blood is injected into the scalp to stimulate hair growth.
Laser therapy: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can help stimulate hair follicles and encourage hair regrowth.
Nidhi is a beauty editor and content creator who’s been decoding the beauty industry for nearly a decade. When she’s not geeking out over skincare ingredients or testing the latest viral beauty launches, you’ll find her unwinding with a face mask (or three) and plotting her next beauty splurge.
We know that you care about your personal data and how it is used, and we want you to
trust that Unilever uses your personal data carefully. This Privacy
Notice
will help you understand what personal data we collect, why we collect it and what we do
with it.
As you read our Notice, please keep in mind that it applies to all Hindustan
Unilever
Limited.
Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with our privacy practices and let us know
if
you have any questions by sending us an email to Customer Care or
submitting a request through the “Contact
Us” form on our websites.
We have tried to keep this Notice as simple as possible, but if you’re not familiar with
terms, such as cookies, IP addresses, and browsers, then please read about these key terms first.
You have the right to object to certain uses of your personal data
including
the use of your personal data for direct marketing. See what your rights are and how you
can
exercise them here.
Any personal data provided to or collected by Unilever is controlled by
Hindustan Unilever Limited, the data
controller.
This Privacy Notice applies to personal data collected by Unilever in
connection with the services and products we offer. References to
“Unilever”
in this Notice means Hindustan Unilever Limited and any
company directly or indirectly owned and/or controlled by
Hindustan
Unilever Limited that you are interacting with or have a
business relationship with.
This Privacy Notice also applies to Unilever’s marketing content,
including
offers and advertisements for Unilever products and services, which we
(or a
service provider acting on our behalf) send to you on
third-party websites, platforms and applications based
on
your site usage information. These third-party websites generally have
their
own Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions. We encourage you to read
them
before using those websites.
Personal data means
any
information that can be used to identify directly or indirectly a
specific individual.
You are not required to provide Unilever the personal
data
that we request, but if you choose not to do so, we may not be able to
provide you with our products or services, or with a high quality of
service
or respond to any queries you may have.
We may collect personal data from a variety of sources.
This
includes:
Personal data you give us directly,
Personal data we collect automatically, and
Personal data we collect from other sources.
Personal data means any information that can be used to
identify directly or indirectly a specific individual. This definition
includes personal data collected offline through our Consumer Engagement
Centres, direct marketing campaigns, sweepstakes and competitions and
online
through our websites, applications and branded pages on third-party
platforms and applications accessed or used through third-party
platforms.
You may be asked to provide your personal data when you are in contact
with
us. Hindustan Unilever Limited companies may
share your personal data with each other and other Unilever
Group companies and use it in a manner consistent with this Privacy
Notice.
We may also combine it with other information to
improve
our products, services, content, and advertising.
You are not required
to
provide Unilever the personal data that we request, but if you
choose
not to do so, we may not be able to provide you with our products or
services, or with a high quality of service or respond to any
queries
you may have.
Ways in which we collect your personal data
We may collect personal data from a variety of sources.
This
includes:
Personal data you give us directly. We collect data
about how you use our services and products, such as the types of
content you view or engage with, or the frequency and duration of
your
activities. We also collect personal data you provide us when you
sign
up for a marketing newsletter, complete a survey or register for an
account to buy our products. In so doing, we may ask for personal
data,
such as your name, gender, date of birth, address, email address,
telephone number or credit card details. Some Unilever brands may
collect “special categories of personal data” about
you
with your explicit consent. For more information on the special
categories of data we collect and how we use it, please refer to the
relevant section below.
Personal data we collect automatically. We also
receive
and store certain types of personal data whenever you interact with
us
online. For example, we use cookies and tracking technologies (to
find
out more, see our privacy key
terms) to obtain personal data when your web browser
accesses
our websites or advertisements and other content served by or on
behalf
of Unilever on other websites. Your personal data is also collected
when
you search, buy, post, participate in a contest or questionnaire or
communicate with our customer service teams. Examples of the types
of
personal data we collect include; IP address (to find out more see
our
privacy key
terms), device ID,
location data, computer and connection information such as browser
type
and version, time zone setting, browser plug-in types and versions,
operating system, and purchase history – which Unilever sometimes
aggregates with similar information from other
consumers. During some of your internet browsing on Unilever’s
websites
we may also use software tools to measure and collect session
information, including page response times, download errors, length
of
visits to certain pages, page interaction information, and methods
used
to browse away from the page. We may also collect technical
information
to help us identify your device for fraud prevention and diagnostic
purposes.
Personal data we collect from other sources. We
collect
personal data from other sources including our trusted partnerships
with
third-parties and where we operate Unilever accounts on third-party
platforms: For example, when you use the “like” functionality on
Facebook or the +1 functionality on Google+. Additionally, we
receive
information about you and other visitors’ interactions with our
advertising to measure whether our advertising is relevant and
successful. We also collect information about you and your
activities
from a third-party when we jointly offer services or products, or
from
third-party data enrichment providers (to find out more see our
privacy
key
terms) who may deliver
insights to Unilever about the personal data we hold.
When and why we collect “special categories of personal data”
Certain categories of personal data, such as health data, financial data,
biometrics, race, ethnicity, religion, health, sexuality or biometric
data
are classified as “special categories of data” or
“Sensitive Personal Information” and benefit from additional
protection.
We limit the circumstances where we collect and process
these special categories of data.
Unilever sometimes collects data related to your health such as
allergies,
pregnancy or skin type to send you tailored ads and relevant promotions.
Unilever only collects and uses this personal data where you have
provided
us with your consent for us to do so. In some instances, you may have
requested services or products that do not directly involve the
collection
of any special categories of data, but may imply or suggest your
religion,
health or other special categories of data.
To illustrate circumstances where Unilever collects and processes special
categories of data we have provided the following examples:
Unilever collects expectant mothers’ due dates in
its
Zwitsal or Baby Dove newsletter sign-up page. It may also place
cookies
on the sign-up page which capture this information too. This data is
then used to create an audience of expectant mothers to receive
online
advertising from relevant Unilever brands. For more information on
Unilever’s profiling activities, please refer to the relevant
section;
Similarly, Unilever collects personal data related to
consumers’
allergies to provide consumers with ads and promotions
for
products which are relevant to their needs.
How do we protect children’s privacy?
We understand the importance of taking extra precautions
to
protect the privacy and safety of children using Unilever products and
services.
Most of Unilever’s websites are designed and intended for use by
adults. Where one of our websites is intended for use by a
younger audience, we will obtain consent from the person with
parental responsibility before we collect personal data
where it is required by applicable laws and regulations (the age at
which
consent is necessary varies from Country to Country).
If you are a child under the age where parental consent is required in
your
Country, you should review the terms of this Privacy Notice with your
parent or guardian to make sure you
understand and accept them. If we discover that we have collected
personal
data from a child without consent from a parent or guardian where such
consent should have been obtained, we will delete that
personal data as soon as practical. Access to certain parts of the
Unilever’s websites and/or eligibility to receive prizes, samples or
other
rewards are generally limited to users over a certain age.
We sometimes use your personal data to carry out age
verification checks and enforce any such age restrictions.
We collect, process and
disclose your personal data only for specific and
limited
purposes. For example, to process your
payments, to assess and handle any
complaints,
to develop and improve our products, services,
communication methods and the functionality of our websites, to provide
personalised products, communications and targeted
advertising as well as product recommendations to you.
We also create profiles by analysing the information about your online
surfing, searching and buying behaviour and your interactions with our
brand
communications by building segments (creating groups that have certain
common characteristics) and by placing your personal data in one or more
segments.
Additionally, Unilever processes your personal data also using
automated means. An automated decision is a decision
which
is made solely by automatic means, where no humans are
involved in the decision-making process related to your personal data.
We collect, process and
disclose your personal data for the following
purposes:
To process your payments, if you purchase our
products,
to provide you with your order status, deal with
your
enquiries and requests, and assess and handle any
complaints;
To process and answer your inquiries or to contact
you
to answer your questions and/or requests;
To develop and improve our products, services,
communication methods and the functionality of our websites;
For the purposes of competitions or
promotions that you have entered;
To communicate information to you and to manage
your
registration and/or subscription
to
our newsletter or other communications;
To manage our everyday business needs regarding
your
participation in our contests, sweepstakes or promotional activities
or
request;
To authenticate the identity of individuals
contacting
us by telephone, electronic means or otherwise;
For internal training and quality
assurance purposes;
To understand and assess the interests,
wants, and changing needs of
consumers, to improve our website, our current products and
services,
and/or developing new products and services; and
To provide personalised products, communications
and
targeted advertising as well as product recommendations to you.
When we collect and use your personal data for purposes mentioned above
or
for other purposes, we will inform you before or at the
time of collection.
Where appropriate, we will ask for your consent to
process
the personal data. Where you have given consent for processing
activities,
you have the right to withdraw your consent at any
time.
In some cases, we rely on legitimate interest for
processing
your personal data. A legitimate interest could exist for example, when
you
sign up for a loyalty scheme with one of our brands and we use the
personal
data collected to conduct data analytics to improve our products or
services. This ground will only be used where it is necessary to achieve
a
legitimate interest, for example to assist in the performance of a
contract,
or to optimise a service, and does not outweigh your rights as an
individual. This legal basis will only be relied upon where there is no
less
intrusive way to process your personal data. We can assure you that if
legitimate interest is used as a ground for processing your personal
data,
we will keep a record of this and you have the right to ask for this
information.
We process your personal data to perform a contract to
which
you are or will be a party. For example, we need to process your
personal
data to deliver a product or a service you bought, to allow you to take
part
in one of our competitions, or to send you samples that you have
requested.
We also process your personal data when we have a legal
obligation (e.g., tax or social security obligations) to
perform such processing. For example, a court order or a subpoena may
require us to process personal data for a particular purpose, or we may
be
compelled to process personal data to report suspicious transactions
under
the local anti-money laundering rules.
Profiling
Unilever uses your personal data to build profiles. We
create profiles by analysing the information about your online surfing,
searching and buying behaviour and your interactions with our brand
communications by building segments (creating groups that have certain
common characteristics) and by placing your personal data in one or more
segments. These segments are used by Unilever to
personalise the website and our communications to you
(such
as showing relevant content to you when you visit our site or in a
newsletter to you), and to display relevant offers and advertisements
from
the Unilever brands on the Unilever sites, and via third-party websites.
The
segments can also be used for third-party campaigns on the Unilever
sites.
Unilever profiles your data where you have provided
consent
for us to do so; for example, accepting the setting of cookies on your
browser online or signing up for email newsletters from one of our
brands.
You can withdraw your consent to prevent your personal
data
being used this way at any time using the manage
cookies
section of our Cookie Notice or unsubscribing to the
use of
your email address if you have logged into one of our websites or signed
up
to any marketing newsletters.
By way of example –
Unilever collects data, with your consent, from:
Our websites about what you view and the way you
interact with our content;
Our digital display advertising that we
serve
to you on social platforms and other publisher’s websites;
and
Forms you fill in online and send to us
about
what your interests are.
We also track the products you buy when you click
on
one of our display adverts and go on to purchase something from a
selection of our retail partners.
If you have asked to receive emails or SMS
communications from us, we track whether you open, read
or
click on the content to see what you are interested in so that we
can
give you more content that we think you are more likely to enjoy.
We use this data to profile your likes and
dislikes. For instance, if we see that you
are
regularly viewing Vegan recipes on our “Recipedia” website, and you
have
opted in to receiving emails from us, we might give you an update on
the
new Vegan recipes that have just hit the site for your interest, or
we
may tailor our web content when you visit towards things we think
you’ll
be most interested in.
Based on this profile information, we may also give you advertising
that
we think you will like and want to
see
as you view content from us or from our network of publishers that
we
advertise with. Sometimes, with your consent, we may use your
current location to serve advertising to you that
is to
do with promotions or events that are happening nearby that we think
you
might be interested in.
We may also use information you have provided to selected
third-parties and consented to be
shared,
like your age, gender, life stage, lifestyle and wider interests to
identify people who we think will have similar interests to you and
who
we believe will be interested in similar advertising.
Automated decision-making
In some instances, Unilever processes your personal data using
automated means. An automated decision is a decision
which
is made solely by automatic means, where no humans are
involved in the decision-making process related to your personal data.
For
example:
Unilever uses game simulations of
science-based
behavioural assessments and data science
techniques to assess prospective employees. Candidates
are
required to play a set of games and the behavioural patterns
exhibited
during gameplay are assessed by a Unilever customised algorithm to
predict the candidate’s potential for a specific role. This
algorithm is
regularly tested to ensure it remains fair,
effective
and unbiased.
We will not make decisions based solely on automated decision making that
have significant impact on you. If we do so we notify you and provide
you
with clear information about our decision to rely on
automated processing to make our decision and our lawful basis for doing
so.
For example, Unilever processes your personal data using automated means
only if it is necessary for the entering into or the performance of a
contract with you, or when you have given your
explicit consent.
You have the right not to be subject to a decision which
is
based solely on automated processing and which produces legal or other
significant effects on you. In particular, you have the right:
to obtain human intervention;
to express your point of view;
to obtain an explanation of the decision reached
after
an assessment; and
to challenge such a decision.
As part of the Unilever Group, a global business, Hindustan Unilever
Limited shares your personal data within the Unilever
Group
and with selected third-parties in the following
circumstances:
Third-party service providers. In order to carry
out
your requests, respond to your inquiries, fulfil your orders, honour
coupons, provide you with samples, enable you to participate in
sweepstakes or make various other features, services and materials
available to you through our websites we share your personal data
with
third-party service providers that performfunctions on our behalf, such as companies that:
host
or operate Unilever’s websites, process payments, analyse data,
provide
customer service, postal or delivery services, and sponsors or other
third-parties that participate in or administer our promotions. They
have access to personal data needed to perform their functions but
may
not use it for other purposes. Further, they must process this
personal
data in accordance with this Privacy Notice and as permitted by
applicable data protection laws and regulations.
Other third-parties. Your personal data will also
be
used by us or shared with our sponsors, advertisers, advertising
networks, advertising servers, social media networks, and analytics
companies or other third-parties in connection with
marketing, promotional,
data
enrichment (to find out more about our privacy key
terms
follow the link)
and other
offers,
as well as product information.
Business transfers. Your personal data will be used
by
us or shared with the Unilever Group, primarily for business and
operational purposes. As Unilever Group continues to develop
the
business, it may sell or purchase assets, subsidiaries or business
units. In such transactions, your personal data generally is
one
of the transferred business assets but remains
subject to the promises made in any pre-existing
Privacy Notice (unless, of course, you consent otherwise). If
another
entity acquires us, our businesses or substantially all or part of
our
assets, or assets related to Unilever’s websites, your personal data
will be disclosed to such entity as part of the due
diligence
process and will be transferred to such entity as one
of
the transferred assets. Also, if any bankruptcy or
reorganization
proceeding is brought by or against us, all such personal data will
be
considered an asset of ours and as such it is possible they will be
sold
or transferred to third-parties.
Legal disclosure. We may transfer and disclose your
personal data to third-parties:
To comply with a legal obligation;
When we believe in good faith that an
applicable law requires it;
At the request of governmental authorities conducting an
investigation;
To verify or enforce our “Terms of Use” or
other applicable policies;
To detect and protect against fraud, or any
technical or security
vulnerabilities;
To respond to an emergency; or otherwise
To protect the rights,
property, safety, or
security of third-parties, visitors to
Unilever’s websites, Unilever or the public.
International data transfers
Unilever shares personal data within the Unilever Group or with
third-parties
for purposes described in this Privacy Notice.
Unilever will only send personal data collected within a
restricted
legal framework, such as e.g. the European Economic
Area (EEA) or Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), to
countries which do not have data protection laws that are considered to
provide appropriate levels of protection in the restricted legal
framework
in circumstances such as:
· To follow your
instructions;
· To comply with a legal
duty; or
· To work with our agents and
advisers
who we use to help run our business and
services.
If we do transfer personal data to outside of the restricted legal
framework,
Unilever will make sure that it is protected in the same
way as if it was being used in that restricted legal
framework.
We’ll use one of the following safeguards:
· Transfer to another Country whose
privacy legislation ensures an adequate level of
protection
of personal data similar or equivalent to the country it was collected
in;
Put in place a contract with the third-party that
means
they must protect personal data to the same standards as in the
country
the data was collected in.
Unilever takes the security of your personal data very
seriously. We take every effort to protect your
personal
data from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification
or
disclosure.
Our measures include implementing appropriate access
controls, investing in the latest Information
Security
Capabilities to protect the IT environments we leverage,
and
ensuring we encrypt, pseudonymise and
anonymise personal data wherever possible.
Access to your personal data is only permitted among our employees and
agents
on a need-to-know basis and subject to strict
contractual confidentiality obligations when processed
by
third-parties.
We will keep your personal data for as long as we need
it
for the purpose it is being processed for. For example,
where you make a purchase online with us we will keep the data related
to
your purchase, so we can perform the specific contract you have entered
and
after that, we will keep the personal data for a period which enables us
to
handle or respond to any complaints, queries or concerns relating to the
purchase.
Your data may also be retained so that we can continue to improve
your experience with us and to ensure that you receive any
loyalty rewards which are due to you.
We retain the identifiable data we collect directly for targeting
purposes
for as little time as possible, after which we employ
measures to permanently delete it.
We will actively review the personal data we hold and delete it
securely, or in some cases anonymise it,
when
there is no longer a legal, business or consumer need for it to be
retained.
Your rights in relation to your personal data how it is processed. You
can
exercise these rights at any point. We have provided an overview of
these
rights below together with what this entails for you. You can exercise
your
rights by sending an email or submitting a request through the “Contact
Us”
form on our websites.
Where we process your personal data, you have a number of rights over how
the
data is processed and can exercise these rights at any point. We have
provided an overview of these rights below together with what this
entails
for you. You can exercise your rights by sending an email or submitting a
request
through the “Contact Us” form on our websites.
The right to be informed. You have the right to be
provided with clear, transparent and easily understandable
information
about how we use your personal data and your rights. Therefore,
we’re
providing you with the information in this Notice.
The right to access and rectification. You have the
right to access, correct or update your personal data at any time.
We
understand the importance of this and should you want to exercise
your
rights, please contact us.
The right to data portability. The personal data
you
have provided us with may be portable. This means it can be moved,
copied or transmitted electronically under certain circumstances.
The right to be forgotten. Under certain
circumstances,
you have right to request that we delete your data. If you wish to
delete the personal data we hold about you, please let us know and
we
will take reasonable steps to respond to your request in accordance
with
legal requirements. If the personal data we collect is no longer
needed
for any purposes and we are not required by law to retain it, we
will do
what we can to delete, destroy or permanently de-identify it.
The right to restrict processing. Under certain
circumstances, you have the right to restrict the processing of your
personal data.
The right to object. Under certain circumstances,
you
have the right to object to certain types of processing, including
processing for direct marketing (i.e., receiving emails from us
notifying you or being contacted with varying potential
opportunities).
The right to lodge a complaint with a Supervisory Authority.
You have the right to lodge a complaint directly with any
local
Supervisory Authority about how we process your personal data.
The right to withdraw consent. If you have given
your
consent to anything we do with your personal data (i.e., we rely on
consent as a legal basis for processing your personal data), you
have
the right to withdraw your consent at any time (although if you do
so,
it does not mean that anything we have done with your personal data
with
your consent up to that point is unlawful). You can withdraw your
consent to the processing of your personal data at any time by
contacting us with the details provided below.
Rights related to automated decision-making. You
have
the right not to be subject to a decision which is based solely on
automated processing and which produces legal or other significant
effects on you. In particular, you have the right:
to obtain human intervention;
to express your point of view;
to obtain an explanation of the decision
reached after an assessment; and
to challenge such a decision.
Further information and advice about your rights can be obtained from the
data protection Regulator in your Country.
We are committed to protect your personal information collected and
processed
by us and look forward to your continued support for the same. If you
have
any query, grievance with respect to the processing of information by
us,
you can reach out to us by calling our Toll Free No.
1800-10-22-221
or by email to lever.care@unilever.com or
submitting a request through the “Contact Us
(Privacy Request/Concern)”
form available on the HUL website.
You can also reach out to our Privacy Office in the event of any
escalation
or absence of resolution of grievance, requests, rights pertaining to
personal data processed by us. You may contact our DPO/Privacy Grievance
Officer at (1) The Data Protection Officer/Privacy Grievance Officer,
Hindustan Unilever Limited, Unilever House, B. D. Sawant Marg, Chakala,
Andheri (E), Mumbai - 400 099 or at: Grievance.Officer-Privacy@unilever.com.
You can also call on the aforementioned contact number and request it to
be
referred to the DPO/Data Protection Office.
When a privacy question or access request is received, we have
a dedicated
team which triages the contacts and seeks to address the specific
concern or
query which you are seeking to raise. Where your issue may be more
substantive in nature, more information may be sought from you. If you
are
unsatisfied with the reply received, you may refer your complaint to the
relevant Supervisory Authority. If you ask us, we will endeavour to
provide
you with information about relevant complaint avenues which may be
applicable to your circumstances.
We will update this Privacy Notice when necessary to
reflect
customer feedback and changes in our products and services. When we post
changes to this statement, we will revise the “last
updated” date at the top of this Notice. If the changes are
significant, we will provide a more prominent notice
(including, for certain services, email notification of Privacy Notice
changes). We will also keep prior versions of this Privacy Notice in an
archive for your review.
We will not reduce your rights under this Privacy Notice
without your consent.
Additional Privacy Terms or Notices
In addition to this Privacy Notice, there may be specific campaigns or
promotions which will be governed by additional privacy
terms or notices. We encourage you to read
these additional terms or notices before participating in any such
campaigns
or promotions as you will be required to comply with them if you
participate. Any additional privacy terms or notices will be made
prominently available to you.
Privacy Notice