Cult Australian beauty brand goes global

Cult Australian skincare brand, Rationale, has received significant investment from Korea's leading beauty company, Amorepacific, taking a 49 per cent stake.

In an effort to strengthen its luxury portfolio, as well as to secure leadership in the personalised cosmetics category, Amorepacific has acquired a significant minority share of the luxury skincare company, securing an advisory role and voting rights on the board of directors.  

"It's huge news for us, it really is a dream come true," said Rationale founder and executive director, Richard Parker. "I have always wanted to take the brand global."

This is Amorepacific's first investment in an Australian brand, though the company commenced business here in 2018 through the launch of several of its 30 brands, including InnisfreeSulwhasoo and Laneige.

Together with Amorepacific, Rationale aims to realise its global expansion plans across South Korea, the U.K., the U.S., Hong Kong and Singapore by 2025.

Amorepacific will fully support and assist the skincare brand in scaling towards global expansion by sharing its international business acumen and strategic knowledge gained from years of experience, working synergistically on important decisions related to international operations.

"There is an intuitive alignment between Rationale and Amorepacific, particularly with regard to their world-class innovation and simultaneous commitment to R&D. Rationale is acknowledged worldwide as the environmental skincare authority and leader in epigenetic research, and we are thrilled to be empowered to expand this vital work with Amorepacific," said Parker.

The two companies will also explore the possibilities of joint research and development in the future.