OREANDA-NEWS. Unilever announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire Dermalogica, the world’s number one professional skin care brand.

The leading skincare brand in professional salons and spas worldwide, Dermalogica was launched in 1986 in Los Angeles by Jane and Raymond Wurwand; following the earlier creation of The International Dermal Institute in 1983, the first of its kind to provide training to licenced skin therapists. Dermalogica is currently sold in over 80 countries, and offers both a range of in-home products, as well as a specialist offering for professional skin therapists. The brand is sold in locations where there is a licensed skin care professional who can provide advice on how to address skin problems such as hyperpigmentation, acne, ageing, and sensitive skin – among other skin conditions that Dermalogica is designed to tackle.

Paul Polman, Unilever CEO, says: “We are delighted to be adding Dermalogica to the Unilever Prestige personal care portfolio. Dermalogica enjoys an outstanding reputation and incredible awareness among skin care professionals and consumers alike, and has a clear positioning as a superior skin health brand that perfectly complements the rest of our Prestige offering. Importantly, it is a company founded on strong values and a common belief, shared by Unilever, in the role of business as a force for good in society. Dermalogica has great distribution and presence globally; and I am pleased that Jane and Raymond have retained an interest in the company and will continue to work with us to grow the brand.”

Jane Wurwand, Dermalogica founder and chief visionary, explains: “Thirty years ago, we launched Dermalogica with a clear and determined mission – to bring respect and success to the professional skin therapist. This mission is as important to us now as it was the first day we started the company. We are extremely proud of our Tribe and all that has been achieved in elevating the industry standard. Raymond and I are excited to be working with Unilever, a company with a long-standing history in growing brands and championing philanthropic initiatives. This partnership will provide Dermalogica with the opportunities and resources to take the brand to even greater heights and help us continue our legacy in supporting the next generation of professional skin therapists and women entrepreneurs worldwide.”

Dermalogica is focused on skin health, rather than beauty and pampering, relying on a combination of signature concepts: face mapping skin analysis, skin bars and microZone treatment, and its unique skin treatment and touch therapies. The brand, which had a turnover of US\$240m in 2014, will be incorporated into Unilever’s Prestige division, which is exclusively dedicated to select distribution and premium personal care brands.