Is Dove brand cruelty free?

On September 10, 2018, Unilever issued a press release announcing that they are supporting efforts to institute a global ban on animal testing.

According to the statement, “Unilever today announced its support for a global ban on animal testing for cosmetics as part of an ambitious new collaboration with animal protection leader Humane Society International (HSI).” Dove® products includes beauty bars, body washes, face care, anti-perspirant/deodorants, body mists, hair care, styling aids, Dove® Men+Care™, developed specially for men, and Baby Dove, developed specially for babies.
Dove is owned by Unilever.
Unilever is a big company big on animal testing.  It has research facilities in the United Kingdom (two), the Netherlands, China, India and the United States.

The company has announced it support for a global testing ban – but it still sells in territories which require animal experimentation

Testing cosmetics on animals is not only inhumane but also ineffective and unreliable. In fact, alternative methods which do not involve animals have been found to be more trustworthy.
The notorious Draize skin irritation test in rabbits can only predict human skin reactions 60% of the time. This test involves dropping concentrated amounts of a test substance into an animal’s eye (while their lids are clipped open) or placing a chemical onto an area where the animal’s skin has been shaved. The resulting irritation, which may include ulceration, inflamed/bleeding skin, swollen eyes, and blindness, is subsequently measured on a numerical scale.

Besides cosmetics it includes, dishwashing liquid, drain cleaner, and other substances are dripped into the animals’ eyes, often causing redness, swelling, discharge, ulceration, hemorrhaging, cloudiness &  blindness. But using reconstituted human skin is up to 86% accurate.
Common experiments include: forcing them to inhale toxic gases and injecting or force feeding them with potentially harmful substances. Often, animals used for testing are killed at the end of the experiment. Most commonly used animals are rabbits & beagles.
 Unilever is home to TRESemmé, Shea Moisture, Nubian Heritage, Nubian Heritage,Nyako, Beauty Bakerie and Dollar Shave Club. Unilever confirmed it had reached an agreement to acquire REN Skincare, a British niche skincare brand & Kate Somerville Skincare LLC.
 Being cruelty-free means products and their ingredients have not involved animal experimentation..yet Unilever sells products in China – where animal research is required by law. Unilever may well have a line that is ‘cruelty-free’, and may be working on the Chinese government to change legislation. But remember, it is a conglomerate that owns personal grooming lines which are sold in China, meaning it has chosen profit over lives, and continues to do so.
Unilever / Dove Is Not Cruelty-Free Until It Stops Selling In China
The simple answer is no, Dove is not cruelty free.