British skincare icon REN Clean Skincare is getting ready to close its doors forever after 25 years of leading the way in clean beauty. This will cause a wave of dissatisfaction among devoted consumers and be the last chance to buy items at a substantial discount.
The company, which was founded in London in 2000 by Rob Calcraft and Antony Buck, was named after the Swedish term for “clean,” signifying its dedication to natural ingredients and mild formulas that are especially suitable for delicate skin. Long before such techniques became commonplace, REN had a loyal following for avoiding petrochemicals, parabens, sulfates, and synthetic perfumes. Notable items like the Ready Steady Glow AHA Tonic and Evercalm balm were cult favorites.
REN joined Unilever’s Prestige Brands division after being acquired by the consumer goods behemoth in 2015. However, Unilever declared the “difficult decision” to begin REN’s closure on May 1st, 2025. The brand was “unable to sustain success in the long term” due to “a combination of internal factors, compounded by market challenges in recent years,” according to the business. The shutdown timeline was originally set for the end of September 2025, but it has since accelerated.
Customers can only buy the remaining inventory through REN’s own online store until July 31st, 2025, according to a recent post on the company’s official Instagram feed. More than a thousand commentators expressed their sorrow in response to the announcement. An individual who works in the beauty sector expressed regret at the lack of “inspiration and innovation,” referring to REN as a
“beautiful British brand, with lovely values.” Others conveyed profound personal sorrow: “I’m devastated. One person commented, “You really cleared my skin so many times, I have the most sensitive skin ever!”
Another said, “Ren products have left my skin in better condition than any product I have ever used.” According to a number of comments, the brand’s destiny might have been different if it “remained an independent business.”
On its website, REN is giving a significant 30% discount on their complete collection as the July 31st deadline draws near. However, many items are already marked as out of stock due to overwhelming demand and diminishing inventories.
The remaining REN products are also offered by a few merchants while supplies last:
Boots: Usually priced between £25 to £50, both online and in real locations. There are many things that are out of stock, and availability is inconsistent.
Online beauty retailers: The leftover stock is also available on websites such as Look Fantastic and Cult Beauty.
The closure of REN takes place in the highly competitive beauty industry, which is further strained by cost-of-living restrictions that affect customer expenditure. In an effort to increase profitability and concentrate on its core brands, parent corporation Unilever is aggressively simplifying its extensive portfolio. In March,
Unilever’s new CEO, Fernando Fernandez, announced that the company would divest underperforming brands at a “faster pace” following the dismissal of his predecessor. Significant cost-cutting measures,
such as the elimination of 6,000 full-time positions worldwide in Q1 2025 as part of a €800 million savings plan, are being implemented in tandem with this strategic shift. These measures are part of the difficult climate that was mentioned as the reason for REN’s demise.
An era for a company that promoted natural, sensitive-skin-friendly ingredients is coming to an end with the impending closure. Customers now have a little opportunity till July 31st to purchase their favorite items at a reduced price from REN directly online before the brand disappears.
