Unilever has sold premium skin care brand Kate Somerville after a decade of ownership.
Known for products such as the Goat Milk Moisturising Cleanser and ExfoliKate, the brand has found a new home with independent brand owner Rare Beauty Brands.
Kate Somerville has been part of Unilever's Prestige beauty portfolio since 2015, but the beauty and personal care giant has been looking to offload the brand since last year.
“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 terms of the deal with Rare Beauty Brands – which owns spot patch-focused skin care brands Patchology and Dot Dot Dash – have not been disclosed.
Chris Hobson, President and CEO of Rare Beauty Brands, said the acquisition is a “significant milestone” for the business.
“We have long admired the brand's innovative spirit and its commitment to results-driven skin care, which aligns perfectly with our mission to create products that delight, communities that empower, and brands that inspire,”he said.
“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 skin care.”
The sale follows Unilever closing fellow Prestige Beauty brand REN Clean Skin Care earlier this year.
The future of both brands was put under review by the FMCG giant last year.
Other brands in the portfolio, which was largely formed via acquisitions, include Tatcha, Hourglass, Dermalogica, Murad and K18.
Longstanding boss and founder of the division, Vasiliki Petrou, departed Unilever last year after a decade.