Personal Care

LOS ANGELES — Freeman Beauty has acquired Eclos, a skin care line infused with plant stem cells that stimulate skin's own stem cells to enhance a more youthful look, and C. Booth, a collection of skin care and bath products.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

NEW YORK — Burt’s Bees, a maker of natural personal care products, has developed a new collection, dubbed “Güd,” that is reimagined for the millennial generation.

KENNEBUNK, Maine — Tom's of Maine, a maker of natural personal care products, has introduced its new Naturally Dry antiperspirant line, which is positioned as the first antiperspirant stick made entirely with sustainably sourced ingredients derived from plant and mineral sources, and without artificial fragrances, preservatives and silicones.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — CARA B Natural Products, a maker of ethnic personal care products, has just launched its collection of all-natural skin and hair care products formulated especially for ethnic babies and children in Target stores across the country.

CHICAGO — Mintel Group, a supplier of consumer, product and media intelligence, has named Katie Gross as VP beauty and personal care division for the United States and Canada, based in Chicago.

This new position will report to Jane Henderson, global president of the beauty and personal care division.

As VP America and Canada, Gross will direct the published and custom business. Her experience includes the beauty industry and consumer research. Gross rejoins Mintel from Toluna, a global online panel company.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — As rising costs eat into margins, personal care marketers are reducing marketing expenditures, integrating their supply chain and consolidating distribution for improved efficiency, according to findings of recent research from Kline & Co.

According to the research firm’s “Personal Care: U.S. Competitor Cost Structures 2011” report, costs of goods sold — which includes raw materials, packaging, processing and overhead — have increased on average to claim 11.1% of the net sales total in 2011, compared with 10.6% in 2009.

MELVILLE, N.Y. — Hain Celestial Group’s Avalon Organics skin care brand, which is sold at such retailers as Whole Foods, Target, Walmart and drug stores, has transitioned its line of personal care products to the NSF/ANSI 305 Standard for Personal Care Products Containing Organic Ingredients. With this transition, Avalon Organics also has revamped its Vitamin C Renewal, Lavender Luminosity, CoQ10 Repair and Essential Lift skin care lines.

SUPPLIER NEWS — Unilever has agreed to acquire Russian beauty company Concern Kalina, which significantly will strengthen its foothold in skin care and hair care in Russia. Unilever initially is acquiring 82% of Concern Kalina for approximately €390 million (U.S. $537 million). The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.