Unilever has divested Kate Somerville to Rare Beauty Brands as part of its ongoing portfolio realignment. Subsequent to the acquisitions of Wild and Dr. Squatch — two rapidly expanding mass-market consumer brands — and the discontinuation of Ren Skincare, the multinational food and personal care conglomerate is further adjusting its prestige sector through the sale of Kate Somerville.
The Kate Somerville brand encompasses skincare, body treatments, and a clinic situated on Melrose Place, Los Angeles.
“The team has worked industriously over the last year and a half to expedite the turnaround of Kate Somerville. As the brand embarks on a fresh chapter, we are convinced that its sustained expansion and accomplishments will be optimally supported by a new proprietor more attuned to its evolving requirements. We are certain that under Chris Hobson’s guidance and the Rare Beauty Brands team, Kate Somerville possesses a promising future,” remarked Mary Carmen Gasco-Buisson, CEO of Unilever Prestige.
Established in 2004 by beauty expert Kate Somerville, Unilever acquired the brand in 2015 — coinciding with the acquisitions of Ren, Dermalogica, and Murad — as part of its strategy to broaden Unilever Prestige, a division formed the preceding year.
Kate Somerville merchandise is stocked at Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Nordstrom, Space NK, Mecca, and Amazon.
The brand’s clinical–aesthetic positioning, focused on cutting-edge components and validated clinical outcomes, resonates well with current skincare market dynamics. Nevertheless, within a domain where consumers persistently seek noticeable results, upholding a consistent rhythm of innovation will be paramount — and a genuine undertaking for Rare Beauty Brands, the incoming owner.
According to Chris Hobson, President and CEO of Rare Beauty Brands, Kate Somerville’s inventive ethos and dedication to outcome-oriented skincare, “align flawlessly” with Rare Beauty Brands’ purpose. “We anticipate a brilliant trajectory forward, featuring novel avenues for enlargement and reaching an even greater audience who resonate with our enthusiasm for highly-effective, upscale skincare.”
The deal, the sum of which remains undisclosed, is anticipated to conclude in Q4 of 2025, pending regulatory clearances.
