Unilever offloads Kate Somerville to Rare Beauty Brands

Consumer goods giant Unilever announced on Tuesday the sale of its Kate Somerville brand to American beauty firm, Rare Beauty Brands.

The sale includes Kate Somerville skincare, body care, and a clinic on Los Angeles’ Melrose Place.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Over the past 18 months, the team has worked diligently to accelerate Kate Somerville’s turnaround,” ​said Mary Carmen Gasco-Buisson, CEO of Unilever Prestige.

“As the brand enters a new chapter, we believe that its continued growth and success will be best supported by new ownership better aligned to its evolving needs. We are confident that under Chris Hobson’s leadership and the Rare Beauty Brands team, Kate Somerville has a bright future ahead.”

The sale comes more than 12 months after the British consumer goods company revealed it was contemplating a strategic refinement of its Unilever Prestige division portfolio including the potential sale of Kate Somerville and Ren Clean Skincare, the latter it effectively said in May it will phase out by Q3 of 2025. 

“The acquisition of Kate Somerville is a significant milestone for Rare Beauty Brands. 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,” said ​Chris Hobson, president and CEO of Rare Beauty Brands, which also owns Patchology, Dr. Dana Nails, and Dot Dot Dash.

“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. Together, we see a bright future ahead, with new opportunities to grow and reach even more consumers who share our passion for highly-efficacious, luxurious skincare.”

The transaction is expected to be completed by close in Q4 of 2025.