Unilever has officially sold the Kate Somerville brand to Rare Beauty Brands. This announcement comes after Unilever said it was considering a sale in 2024. 

Kate Somerville joins other skincare brands, such as Patchology and Dot Dot Dash, and the nail care brand Dr. Dana. 

Mary Carmen Gasco-Buisson, chief executive of Unilever Prestige, said, 

“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.”

As part of the deal, Rare Beauty Brands gains the brand’s clinic on Melrose Place in Los Angeles, California. This acquisition follows an 18-month turnaround effort by Unilever Prestige aimed at stabilizing the brand’s performance and repositioning it.

Rare Beauty Brands President and CEO Chris Hobson noted that this acquisition is a “significant milestone” for the business. 

Unilever’s decision to sell Kate Somerville follows the company’s plan to refocus on priority brands. This also gives Kate Somerville a chance to expand its growth and reach under new ownership that is more aligned with its premium skincare focus.

The sale is expected to close in Q4 2025, pending regulatory approvals. 

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