As part of its ongoing portfolio restructuring, Unilever has sold Kate Somerville to Rare Beauty Brands. Following the acquisitions of Wild and Dr. Squatch — two fast-growing mass consumer brands — and the closure of Ren Skincare, the global food and personal care giant is further reshaping its prestige division with the sale of Kate Somerville.

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

“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. We are confident that under Chris Hobson’s leadership and the Rare Beauty Brands team, Kate Somerville has a bright future ahead,” commented Mary Carmen Gasco-Buisson, CEO of Unilever Prestige.

Founded in 2004 by aesthetician Kate Somerville, the brand was acquired by Unilever in 2015 — the same year the company bought Ren, Dermalogica, and Murad — as part of its effort to expand Unilever Prestige, a division established the previous year.

Kate Somerville products are available at Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Nordstrom, Space NK, Mecca and Amazon.

The brand’s aesthetic–medical positioning, centered on advanced ingredients and proven clinical results, aligns well with current market trends in skincare. However, in a segment where consumers relentlessly pursue visible outcomes, maintaining a steady pace of innovation will be essential — and a true challenge for Rare Beauty Brands, the new owner.

According to Chris Hobson, President and CEO of Rare Beauty Brands, Kate Somerville’s innovative spirit and commitment to results-driven skincare, “align perfectly” with Rare Beauty Brands’ mission. “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, the amount of which has not been disclosed, is expected to close in Q4 of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.