Colgate-Palmolive explores $1 billion sale of personal care brands

Colgate-Palmolive is exploring the sale of several personal care brands, including Softsoap, Irish Spring, and Speed, in a transaction valued at over $1 billion. The company is reportedly working with investment bank Goldman Sachs on the process.

The personal care division, which includes deodorants, soaps, shower gels, and skin care products, accounted for 17% of the company's net sales in 2025. This move follows a trend among consumer goods manufacturers to reshape portfolios to manage rising energy and raw material costs, customs duties, and consumer financial pressures.

This potential sale occurs amidst significant consolidation in the consumer goods sector, following recent major moves by companies such as Nestle, Mars, and Ferrero.