Unilever sales rise as it strengthens focus on beauty

Unilever has reported a 3.4% increase in sales for the first half of 2025, reaffirming its plans to sharpen its focus on beauty and personal care.

The overall beauty and wellbeing division saw sales rise 3.7%, driven by "strong" growth in wellbeing, partly offset by a "subdued" beauty performance.

Wellbeing delivered double-digit growth for the 21st consecutive quarter, led by Liquid I.V. and Nutrafol.

Hair care was flat, as modest price growth was offset by lower volumes. Meanwhile, skin care grew slightly, with double-digit growth from Vaseline and Dove, supported by "innovation and solid execution".

The prestige beauty division was also flat. Hourglass, Tatcha, and K18 achieved double-digit growth while sales at Paula’s Choice and Dermalogica declined.

Personal Care (22% of group turnover) saw sales growth of 4.8%, driven by 1.4% volume and 3.3% price. Dove led the category with high-single-digit growth from strong volumes and positive pricing.

The company's ice cream business also began operating on a standalone basis and is expected to complete its demerger by mid-November 2025.

The spin-off is part of efforts by Unilever to move further towards beauty and personal care, highlighted by recent acquisitions of Wild and Dr. Squatch.

It also remains focused on premiumising its core hair and skin care portfolios, driving growth in prestige beauty and wellbeing through selective international expansion, and enhancing competitiveness through innovation and social-first consumer engagement.

Looking ahead, the UK-based company expects underlying annual sales growth between 3-5%.

Fernando Fernandez, Chief Executive Officer at Unilever, said: "Our priorities are clear: more beauty and wellbeing and personal care, disproportionate investment in the US and India, and a sharper focus on premium segments and digital commerce."