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Beauty companies announced major acquisitions and portfolio changes during the week of October 2026, while retailers expanded across international markets and brands reported growth. Trade delays, an intellectual property lawsuit and calls for tighter UK aesthetics regulation showed the pressures facing the industry. Several deal details and the outcomes of legal and regulatory developments remain unsettled.
Beauty acquisitions, retail expansion and trade pressures shaped the global cosmetics industry in Week 42, according to a weekly review by Global Cosmetics News. The reported developments included Galderma’s agreed US$1.5 billion purchase of ZO Skin Health, EU approval of Kimberly-Clark’s US$40 billion Kenvue acquisition subject to a divestment agreement, and customs delays affecting French cosmetics exporters in China.
Portfolio changes featured prominently. Galderma agreed to buy ZO Skin Health for US$1.5 billion, a move the report says would expand its physician-dispensed skincare portfolio. Bogart sold its Israeli cosmetics retail subsidiary, which operates 47 stores, for €5.8 million. Separately, the European Union approved Kimberly-Clark’s planned US$40 billion acquisition of Kenvue after a divestment agreement. The review also reported that Amazon was in discussions to acquire AI start-up Decart for about US$7 billion; it did not describe a completed deal.
Financial and retail updates varied by company. LVMH reported higher third-quarter sales across its beauty operations and Sephora network, while Shein reported a 26 percent increase in UK sales to £2.58 billion, overtaking Asos, according to the review. Executives at Beauty Tech Group sold £6 million in shares after what the report described as strong IPO performance. e.l.f. Beauty said it planned to direct a US$50 million tariff refund toward pricing and marketing initiatives.
Retailers and brands also announced expansion and investment. CJ Olive Young is extending K-beauty distribution through Sephora stores in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. Nykaa and L’Oréal introduced a skincare launch to strengthen Kiehl’s presence in India, while Kiko Milano outlined plans to double its Indian store footprint by the end of 2026. Estée Lauder invested €5.7 million in manufacturing capabilities at its Belgian facility, and L’Oréal Travel Retail partnered with Avolta on sustainability work in duty-free beauty.
Deals and Expansion Reshape Beauty
The week’s announcements point to companies pursuing growth through acquisitions, distribution and investment at the same time. A larger physician-dispensed skincare portfolio could broaden Galderma’s reach, while the Kenvue transaction, subject to divestment commitments, would combine two major consumer businesses if completed. Store plans and Sephora partnerships offer brands routes into new markets, though announcements alone do not show how quickly they will translate into sales.
Operational pressures cut across that growth agenda. The reported customs delays for French cosmetics in China may complicate cross-border trade, while Shiseido’s lawsuit over alleged unauthorised sales brings intellectual property disputes into focus. Calls for stronger oversight of UK aesthetics also highlight consumer protection questions around services linked to beauty products.
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A Week Across Beauty Markets
The review covers a broad set of developments rather than one industry-wide transaction or policy change. It groups corporate deals and financial results with retail launches, manufacturing investment, appointments, marketing technology and disputes. Its figures refer to different companies and reporting periods: for example, Shein’s UK sales figure is presented as an annual increase, while LVMH’s update concerns the third quarter.
Digital and brand activity included e.l.f. Cosmetics’ virtual experience on ZEPETO, Bandai’s move into cosmetics licensing across Asian markets and an AI-generated concept involving Hunter and Rhode Beauty. Global Cosmetics News said the latter raised questions about unofficial brand collaborations and generative technology in marketing; the review did not report that the concept was an authorised collaboration. Elsewhere, Kering and LVMH updated their model protection charter, and Superdrug called for stronger regulation of the UK aesthetics industry.
Deal Terms and Disputes Await Clarity
The weekly review does not provide completion dates or detailed terms for the ZO Skin Health transaction, and it describes Amazon’s approach to Decart only as discussions. The Kenvue acquisition has EU approval subject to a divestment agreement, but the review does not specify the divestment assets or the remaining steps before completion.
Several other outcomes are also unresolved in the source material. Shiseido filed a €2.6 million lawsuit against Shein over alleged unauthorised cosmetics sales; the review gives no court finding or response from Shein. It does not specify the scale or duration of the China customs delays, or say when they may ease. Nor does it describe concrete regulatory proposals following Superdrug’s call, or explain what the updated model protection standards require.
Closings and Market Plans to Watch
Upcoming milestones include whether the announced acquisitions proceed and how the required divestment tied to the Kenvue deal is carried out. The review also identifies a stated target for Kiko Milano to double its Indian retail footprint by the end of 2026. Progress on that plan, alongside the Sephora distribution expansion, will show how companies convert announced market ambitions into operating stores and sales.
Readers can also watch for developments in the Shiseido-Shein case, changes to customs processing for French exporters in China, and any response from UK authorities to calls for tighter aesthetics oversight. The weekly review reports no resolution on those issues, so their commercial and regulatory effects remain uncertain.
Key Questions
What was the largest beauty acquisition reported this week?
Global Cosmetics News reported that Galderma agreed to acquire ZO Skin Health for US$1.5 billion. The review says the purchase would expand Galderma’s physician-dispensed skincare portfolio; it does not provide a closing date.
Did the EU approve the Kimberly-Clark and Kenvue deal?
The review says the EU approved Kimberly-Clark’s US$40 billion acquisition of Kenvue following a divestment agreement. It does not give the divestment details or confirm that the acquisition has closed.
What did Shein report about its UK business?
Shein reported a 26 percent increase in UK sales to £2.58 billion and overtook Asos, according to the weekly review. The source presents this as a sales increase but does not specify the comparison period in the supplied material.
What legal dispute involving cosmetics was reported?
Shiseido filed a €2.6 million lawsuit against Shein over alleged unauthorised cosmetics sales. The review reports the allegation and filing, not a court decision.
What trade issue affected French cosmetics exporters?
The review says French cosmetics exporters faced customs delays in China amid ongoing trade tensions. It does not state how many companies were affected or when the delays might ease.
Source: rss
