Last week in beauty: K-Beauty reaches a new high and Nykaa’s growth seems unstoppable.
K-BEAUTY EXPORTS HIT RECORD $3.1BN IN Q1 26
South Korea’s cosmetics exports reached an all-time quarterly high of $3.1 billion in the first quarter, up 19% year-on-year, driven by a 40.9% surge in shipments to the U.S., which overtook China as the largest export market. Skincare remained the dominant category at $2.43 billion, while exports to China fell 9.6% to $470 million, prompting the government to expand regulatory cooperation with emerging markets such as Brazil and the Middle East to sustain growth.
NYKAA EXPECTS FASTEST QUARTERLY REVENUE GROWTH IN THREE YEARS
Indian beauty and fashion retailer Nykaa forecast fourth-quarter net revenue growth in the late-20% range, its fastest in three years, driven by improved fashion sales and steady demand in its beauty segment, sending shares up nearly 4%. The company expects consolidated net sales value to grow in the early-30% range for the quarter, while full-year net revenue is projected to improve toward the upper end of the mid-20% range.
NYKAA IN TALKS TO BUY MAJORITY STAKE IN SKINCARE BRAND 82°E
Nykaa is negotiating to acquire a majority stake in actress Deepika Padukone’s premium skincare brand 82°E, aiming to strengthen its “House of Nykaa” portfolio amid intensifying competition. The struggling D2C brand, which saw a 30% revenue decline to 1.5m€ in FY25, is expected to retain a minority stake, with the deal leveraging Nykaa’s 42 million customer base to scale operations.
UNILEVER LEADS $4.1M FUNDING FOR INDIAN SKINCARE BRAND CLAYCO
Mumbai-based skincare brand Clayco has raised $4.1 million in a Series A round led by Unilever Ventures, with participation from ICMG Global Ventures, following a previous $2 million investment in 2024 shortly after the brand’s launch. The brand, which develops products inspired by global beauty rituals and has grown annual revenues to approximately $7.7 million, will use the funding to expand into hair and body care, boost retail presence and scale supply chain capabilities.
VMG PARTNERS INVESTS IN HAIRCARE BRAND THE DOUX
Textured hair care brand The Doux has secured a minority investment from VMG Partners, with the mass brand currently stocked in Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Sally Beauty and more, featuring bestsellers like Mousse Def Texture Foam and Bee-Girl Honey Curl Custard. The funding will enable deeper U.S. expansion and international growth in the U.K., where the brand is already available at Boots and Superdrug, while preserving the brand’s integrity led by founders Maya and Brian Smith.
LG HOUSE & HEALTHCARE TO SUPPORT K-BEAUTY AND WELLNESS STARTUPS
LG Household & Health Care has partnered with the Seoul Business Agency to nurture K-beauty and wellness startups through the “Seoul Startup Hub Lifestyle Open Innovation” program, offering selected participants around 10 million won in funding, joint research opportunities and pathways to commercialization. The initiative aims to foster innovation and help emerging companies scale globally using LG’s international networks, particularly those lacking resources to navigate foreign regulatory environments.
LA ROCHE-POSAY LAUNCHES AT WALMART ACROSS THE US
La Roche-Posay has expanded its US presence by launching in 1,460 Walmart stores nationwide, offering dermatologist-developed skincare products including Toleriane, Anthelios, Cicaplast and Effaclar. The partnership includes specialized training for Walmart pharmacists to serve as skincare advisors, aiming to make science-based skin care more accessible to a broader audience.
M&S LAUNCHES FRESH ELEMENTS SKINCARE RANGE FOR TEENS
Marks & Spencer has introduced Fresh Elements, an eight-product skincare line designed specifically for ages 12 and up, featuring gentle formulas focused on hydration and skin barrier support with prices ranging from £9.50 to £12.50. The dermatologically-approved collection, which includes cleansers, toner, serum, mists, moisturizers and a blemish gel, aims to bridge the gap between shelfie-worthy products teens want and the gentle efficacy parents trust.
MARC-ANTOINE BARROIS OPENS FIRST NORTH AMERICA BOUTIQUE IN SOHO
Couturier-turned-perfumer Marc-Antoine Barrois will open his first North American flagship at 120 Wooster Street in New York’s SoHo neighborhood on April 16, following his brand surpassing $100 million in retail revenue last year. The 540-square-foot space features surrealistic design elements including hand-painted glass walls and carved wood mushrooms, and will host a “Anti-Social” campaign celebrating in-person interaction over digital algorithms.
INITIO PARFUMS PRIVÉS OPENS FIRST UK FLAGSHIP IN COVENT GARDEN
French fragrance house Initio Parfums Privés has inaugurated its first standalone UK boutique in Covent Garden’s Market Building, following the success of its concessions at Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. The nearly 25-square-meter store specializes in “functional fragrances” designed to positively influence emotional well-being, joining other luxury beauty brands like Parfums de Marly and Byredo in the neighborhood.
STEFANO GABBANA STEPS DOWN AS DOLCE & GABBANA CHAIRMAN
Stefano Gabbana has resigned as chairman of Dolce & Gabbana, with Alfonso Dolce, brother of co-founder Domenico Dolce, taking over the role as the house faces a luxury market slowdown, increasingly focus on beauty and prepares to negotiate a €450 million debt restructuring. Gabbana, who holds a 40 percent stake, is considering its future, while the company may also sell real estate assets and is reportedly looking to appoint former Gucci CEO Stefano Cantino to a senior role.
AMWAY BEAUTY DIVISION GREW 8% IN 2025
Amway reported $7.3 billion in global sales for 2025, driven by targeted growth in established and emerging markets, breakthrough products including the cellular health supplement Nutrilite AmCell and the Artistry LongXevity skincare collection, which helped the beauty category grow 8% globally.
JO MALONE TO ESTÉE LAUDER LAWSUIT: ‘I SOLD A COMPANY, NOT MYSELF’
Jo Malone has issued a public statement following the Estée Lauder Cos.’ trademark infringement and breach of contract lawsuit, expressing surprise and sadness while defending her right to use her name as a person, stating “I sold a company, I did not sell myself.” The perfumer, who created the Zara Emotions collection under her Jo Loves brand, says she has gone to great lengths to distinguish her work from the Jo Malone London brand and will “robustly defend” the High Court claim.
HAIRCARE BRAND IT’S A 10 NAMES KLOE KARDASHIAN AMBASSADOR
It’s a 10 Haircare has named Khloé Kardashian as its first celebrity ambassador for the brand’s 20th anniversary campaign, which precedes a full rebrand rollout in coming months. The brand, which sells over 11 million bottles of its leave-in product annually and offers more than 80 SKUs, will support the partnership with retail activations and a party in Miami as it aims to engage a new generation of consumers.
