Unilever has officially announced the sale of its prestigious skincare brand, Kate Somerville, to Rare Beauty Brands, signaling a new era for this beloved line known for its results-driven formulations and Hollywood-rooted clinic in Los Angeles, located on Melrose Place. The transaction, anticipated to close in Q4 2025 pending regulatory approval, marks a milestone in Unilever’s strategic evolution and Rare Beauty’s expanding footprint in the premium skincare market.
- A Strategic Shift for Kate Somerville and Unilever Prestige
- Rare Beauty Brands’ Vision for Kate Somerville’s Future
- What’s Included: Skincare, Body Care, and a Hollywood Clinic
- Kate Somerville’s Market Impact and Recent Innovation
- Industry Perspective: Navigating Beauty’s Evolving Landscape
- Leadership Commentary: Focus, Growth, and Legacy
A Strategic Shift for Kate Somerville and Unilever Prestige
Mary Carmen Gasco-Buisson, CEO of Unilever Prestige, spoke about the rationale behind the sale:
“Over the past 18 months, the team has worked diligently to accelerate Kate Somerville’s turnaround. 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.”
This reflects a broader trend within Unilever to prioritize brands that closely align with its long-term vision, while divesting from categories or brands with different strategic priorities.
Rare Beauty Brands’ Vision for Kate Somerville’s Future
Chris Hobson, President and CEO of Rare Beauty Brands, welcomed the acquisition as a transformative opportunity:
“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.”
Rare Beauty Brands’ experience in building and scaling prestige and luxury skin, body, and fragrance brands positions it well to advance Kate Somerville’s growth curve and innovation roadmap.
What’s Included: Skincare, Body Care, and a Hollywood Clinic
The sale encompasses the entire skincare and body care portfolio, as well as the operation of the renowned Kate Somerville Clinic located on Melrose Place, Los Angeles — a cornerstone of the brand’s authentic connection with celebrity clientele and spa-goers looking for medical-grade results in a luxurious setting.
Kate Somerville herself is widely recognized as an expert blending cutting-edge dermatological science with approachable luxury, building a legacy based on efficacy and personal care. The brand has long stood for the philosophy that healthy skin is every person’s right, championing transparency and education alongside high-performance formulations.
Kate Somerville’s Market Impact and Recent Innovation
Over the past decade, Kate Somerville’s products have been mainstays at premium retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Sephora, QVC, and Amazon. Unilever’s prestige beauty category—including Kate Somerville—posted strong growth, with a 14% increase in sales during the second quarter, highlighting the brand’s continued resonance.
In September 2025, Kate Somerville launched the HydraKate Collection, featuring serum and cream products leveraging proprietary AquaPort technology for skin hydration. Nicola Kilner, co-founder of Unilever’s Deciem (the brand’s original parent), explained how this innovation targets the rising consumer focus on sensitive and dehydrated skin.
Industry Perspective: Navigating Beauty’s Evolving Landscape
The shift of Kate Somerville to Rare Beauty Brands comes amid a highly competitive and rapidly evolving prestige beauty market, where agility, innovation, and authentic storytelling are key. Unilever’s decision to exit color cosmetics and invest more in skin care, body care, fragrance, and hair care mirrors broader market realities and consumer trends favoring these categories.
Rare Beauty Brands, by contrast, seeks to enhance Kate Somerville’s tradition of results-driven skincare while expanding access and storytelling to modern consumers demanding efficacy alongside sustainability and inclusivity.
Leadership Commentary: Focus, Growth, and Legacy
Mary Carmen Gasco-Buisson praised the brand’s journey: We have been fortunate to have Drew Barrymore as a great founder partner, and we are grateful for the incredible journey we have shared.
Meanwhile, Chris Hobson emphasized the vision entering this new chapter:
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 stewardship of the Kate Somerville brand under Rare Beauty Brands is expected to maintain its clinical integrity while fueling fresh innovation and expansion.
