Don’t know from Kenvue? Sure you do! After, all, Kenvue really isn’t new. The company has a rich history in the personal care space with brands like Aveeno, Johnson’s and Neutrogena. A year ago, Johnson & Johnson revamped its consumer products business into a standalone company. At the time of the move, J&J said it wanted to focus on its pharmaceutical and medical device business which, together, have sales of more than $85 billion.

Not that Kenvue is small potatoes. With sales of $15.4 billion in 2023, the company describes itself as the world’s largest pure-play consumer health company by revenue. CEO Thibaut Mongon has told analysts the company is focused on putting more products in the hands of more consumers and reinvesting in brands to “unleash the full potential of the portfolio.”

Mongon called Kenvue a special company—neither a traditional consumer goods company, nor a traditional healthcare company.

“We offer the best of both worlds,” he told investors. “We operate at the intersection of both worlds. It's all about consumer intimacy and brand building on the one hand. And there's a reason it's the brands we just talked about are in your house is because we build brand love every day, but it's all about health, and providing consumers with the health, efficacious, safe solutions that they need to take care of their own health and the health of their loved ones. And so, it's all about science. It's all about healthcare professional engagement. And our 2024 plan really marries these two aspects.”

The name underscores that history. Kenvue fuses knowledge and vision. “Ken” is an English word meaning “to know,” and “vue” is French, referring to insight.

Interesting, sure, but confusing, too—for consumers, supply partners and competitors. That’s one reason why Kenvue was front and center during In-Cosmetics Global last month. The company sponsored the In-Cosmetics Global Awards and even handed out the Kenvue Trusted Science Award. Plus, Adam Ricciardone, global head of R&D-Skin Health & Beauty and Head of R&D – North America made the rounds promoting Kenvue’s accomplishments and abilities.

With leading brands such as Aveeno, Bebe, Bengay, Clean & Clear, Desitin, Dr.Ci:Labo, Johnson's Baby, Listerine, Lubriderm, Ogx, Neutrogena, Rogaine and Zarbee's, there’s a lot to talk about.

“We’re only a year old,” explained Ricciardone. “This is our coming out party. People know our brands. People love our brands.”

And Kenvue knows and values its suppliers and wants to support them and their innovations. For the record, BASF took home the Kenvue Trusted Science Gold Award for its Hydrasensyl Glucan Green bioferment. The material is clinically-proven to smooth and hydrate skin immediately and over time. The Silver Award went to Tego Filmstar One MB from Evonik Industries. It is a 100% bio-based and biodegradable film-former. The bronze award went to Lucas Meyer Cosmetics for Immunolight, a green processed, oil-soluble lavandin extract that is said to boost nighttime skin recovery.

With its victory, BASF will work with Kenvue to move the material into commercial applications. For a complete list of In-Cosmetics Global Award Winners, click here. https://www.happi.com/live-from-shows/in-cosmetics/2024-04-17/in-cosmetics-global-award-winners-431055

Understanding Consumers

Ricciardone said 1.2 billion people use Kenvue products every day.

“We realize the power of everyday care,” he said.

And what does the consumer want from their personal care products? Efficacy, sustainability and value.

“We are seeing more personalization, and a lot of confusion,” said Ricciardone. “Consumers get a lot of messaging, but how do they know what is real and what’s not? As Kenvue, we bring credibility and trust and help them make the right choices.”

Want proof? Ricciardone detailed a couple of well-known brands known for their science.

First up? Neutrogena. Ricciardone told Happi Kenvue has the right products for several needs, especially in the sun care space.

“It’s not just delivering SPF; it’s about creating the right aesthetics to improve compliance,” he explained.


Neutrogena offers various shades to match consumers’ skin color. In 2023, Kenvue launched Neutrogena Mineral UV Tint and this year, Invisible Daily Defense. Both are designed to drive daily use through delightful aesthetics. And daily use is critical to prevent UV damage and skin care. “We know there is a need to drive usage, especially in the Black population,” said Ricciardone, who added that Kenvue works with the Skin of Color Society and the Melanoma Research Foundation to increase sun care usage.

“Partnerships are how we operate,” he explained. “We get to the right groups at the right time. In health care, that means working with dermatologists and pediatricians. They are the most influential advisors to make sure we are bringing the right products to market.

For newborns, that means promoting Aveeno to pediatricians and new parents. As Kenvue executives like to say, “when the vernix comes off, Aveeno goes on.”

Vernix caseosa is a combination of water, dead skin cells and fatty substances. It keeps baby’s skin hydrated, lubricates the passage through the birth canal, protects against harmful bacteria and helps the digestive tract to grow. For those reasons, many healthcare practitioners recommend waiting at least 24 hours after birth before bathing baby.

Aveeno protects baby’s skin from day 2 of life. It prevents eczema and atopic dermatitis. It is thinking through those types. According to Kenvue, applying Aveeno on day 2 builds the skin barrier and reduces allergenicity. Last year, Kenvue conducted a study that found applying an oatmeal-based emollient from Day 2 can lower the risk of atopic dermatitis. 

Technology Shopping & New Product Launching

During In-Cosmetics Global, Ricciardone walked miles in the aisles in search of new technology. Topics of conversation included biodegradable film-formers and biobased materials in general.

“Sustainability, biobased solutions and biotechnology were top callouts,” he told Happi. “It’s where the whole industry is headed.”

Later this year, Kenvue is headed into the pre-aging space with a new launch.

“We know consumers in their 20s are trying to prevent signs of aging,” Ricciardone. “They know something is happening (to their skin) and social media hasn’t helped.”

TikTok and Instagram may be two reasons why 20-somethings want products that prevent signs of aging from appearing. Kenvue researchers are working with dermatologists to understand what is happening in the skin. In a couple of months, Kenvue will roll out a two-product line with more products to come.

Ricciardone noted that UV protection is the best way to reduce the signs of aging, followed by barrier function maintenance via hydration and moisturization. That kind of efficacy requires multiple modes of action that include peptides for daytime use and retinol at night.

“We’ve been conducting this research for 10 years looking at all Fitzpatrick skin types,” recalled Ricciardone. “It is very exciting to finally bring this technology to the consumer.”

For Q1 2024, sales rose 1.1% to nearly $3.9 billion. Net income fell 10% to $296 million. Revenue beat analysts' estimates, but earnings missed. Gains were recorded in self care, primarily oral care, partially offset by declines in skin health and beauty. 

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