Overview
- The Estée Lauder Companies agreed to acquire the remaining 51% of Forest Essentials, with closing targeted for the second half of 2026 pending regulatory approvals.
- Founder Mira Kulkarni and executive director Samrath Bedi will continue to lead the brand from New Delhi, maintaining India-based R&D, local sourcing and in‑house manufacturing.
- The company says it will expand Forest Essentials internationally while preserving its Ayurvedic heritage, and it is exploring localized manufacturing and R&D integration in India.
- Financial terms were not disclosed; Forest Essentials operates nearly 200 stores and was reported as India’s top prestige skincare brand, with 2025 revenue of 5.8 billion rupees and EBITDA of 2.8 billion rupees.
- The transaction fits ELC’s phased investment model used with Deciem and advances its strategy to grow in emerging markets, noted as its first acquisition under CEO Stéphane de La Faverie.