Beiersdorf has downgraded its growth forecast for the year due to a “slower market environment".
The Nivea owner said organic sales growth in its consumer business, which also includes Eucerin and La Prairie, is expected to be 2.5% for the full 2025 financial year.
That is down from the 3% to 4% growth the German consumer goods company forecast in August, when it also lowered its outlook from the previously expected 4% to 5%.
“We saw a further deceleration of the skin care market in the third quarter of 2025 especially in emerging markets, which is why we now expect an organic sales growth for our consumer business of around 2.5% for the full year,” said Vincent Warnery, CEO of Beiersdorf.
The downgrade came as Beiersdorf released its third quarter financial results showing organic sales grew 2% in the first nine months of the year to €6.3bn, but remained largely flat on a nominal basis.
Nivea sales grew 0.6% “reflecting a continued slowdown in the mass market, especially in Latin America and Eastern Europe”, the company said in a statement.
The global launch of its newest innovation in September, Nivea Cellular Epigenetics Serum with Epicelline, showed “promising” early signs, with growth of 7% to 8% in the month, “showing a clear upward trend, supported by the positive reception of the new Nivea Derma Control antiperspirant range”.
Beiersdorf’s derma business, which includes Eucerin and Aquaphor, continued to win market share across regions and delivered organic sales growth of 12.3% in the first nine months of the year against a “tough” comparison period last year.
“Eucerin Epigenetic Serum with Epicelline remained a key growth driver, performing strongly across multiple markets,” the company said in a statement.
“In North America, Eucerin Face achieved 56% organic sales growth in the third quarter, supported by the launch of the Eucerin Radiant Tone range with Thiamidol earlier this year – another breakthrough innovation that continues to unlock growth potential.”
Luxury skin care brand La Prairie’s sales fell 7.2% in the first nine months of the year, but returned to growth in the third quarter with sales rising 1.6%.
“Despite ongoing market volatility, La Prairie continued its sequential quarterly improvement as planned,” Beiersdorf said.
“China remained a key growth driver, achieving 3% organic sales growth in Q3, supported by strong e-commerce momentum.”
As a part of the brand’s expansion strategy, La Prairie launched in the Indian market on e-commerce platform Nykaa.
“We are pleased to see the outstanding performance of our derma business,” said Warnery.
“It proves that we can continue to outperform the competition and deliver double-digit growth.
“For Nivea, we are taking decisive action to refuel growth in a challenging market.
“The biggest Nivea launch of all time with our breakthrough ingredient Epicelline shows very promising early results.
“By broadening our skin care focus and reinforcing deodorants as a strategic growth pillar, we are strengthening Nivea’s position for long-term success.
“Our strategy for Nivea remains on track.”