Unilever divests Kate Somerville skincare brand to Rare Beauty Brands
This divestment follows an 18-month effort by Unilever Prestige to turn around the brand’s performance.
UK – Unilever has announced the sale of its luxury skincare brand Kate Somerville to US-based Rare Beauty Brands as part of its ongoing strategy to reshape its Prestige beauty division.
The Kate Somerville brand, which features skincare and body care products and operates a clinic on Melrose Place in Los Angeles, will be transferred to Rare Beauty Brands, led by CEO Chris Hobson.
The sale reflects Unilever’s strategic focus on concentrating resources on its priority brands and enabling Kate Somerville to grow under ownership more closely aligned with its premium skincare positioning.
The transaction, advised exclusively by PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Finance LLC for Unilever, is expected to close in Q4 2025, pending regulatory approvals.
Mary Carmen Gasco-Buisson, CEO of Unilever Prestige, emphasized that the brand’s future growth and success would be best served under new ownership better aligned with its evolving needs.
Chris Hobson expressed excitement about the acquisition, noting, “We have long admired the brand’s innovative spirit and its commitment to results-driven skincare, which aligns perfectly with our mission to create products that delight, communities that empower, and brands that inspire.”
“We believe that Rare Beauty Brands is the ideal home for the Kate Somerville brand, and we are excited to welcome its dedicated team into our family.”
The acquisition is considered a significant milestone for Rare Beauty Brands, which also owns skincare brands like Patchology and Dot Dot Dash, and aims to empower communities and inspire through its brands.
This sale comes amid Unilever’s broader portfolio adjustments after reporting a dip in profit and turnover, and recent moves to divest from underperforming assets to focus on faster-growing, premium brands.
Rare Beauty Brands’ acquisition of Kate Somerville signals an opportunity for the latter’s rejuvenation and expansion under a management team passionate about high-efficacy, luxury skincare.
This move follows Unilever’s recent announcement to shut down REN Clean Skincare, a brand recognised for its eco-conscious approach to beauty.
The company cited internal challenges and market pressures as key reasons for the closure, stating that these factors have made it difficult for REN to sustain long-term success.
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