• by Les Luchter , 11 hours ago

Olly, Unilever’s vitamin/supplement brand, has entered the personal care space via Mood + Skin body washes, scrubs and serums.

Olly says the new line is “science-backed,”  formulated with feel-good fragrances "to transform your mood, and clinically proven skincare ingredients to repair your skin barrier.” 

The products include Bright body wash and scrub, with vitamin C, ginseng, caffeine to “get skin glowing,” and citrus notes to “boost your mood”; Calm, body wash and serum, with vitamin B3, adaptogens and hyaluronic acid to “soothe” skin, and eucalyptus amber scent for “grounding”; Renew, body wash and serum, with vitamin D, retinol and botanicals to “renew skin overnight,” and jasmine bergamot notes to “help prep for bed”; and Revive, body wash and scrub with vitamin B12, magnesium and electrolytes to “revitalize” skin, and neroli dew scent to “rejuvenate mood.”

Olly cites “extensive research” in the line’s development, with its own R&D tests using EEGs to measure brain activity while sniffing the collection's scents.”  

Bright, for instance, was “shown to boost beta and gamma activity, making the participants feel more upbeat, while the fragrance for Calm was shown to boost alpha brain waves that cue relaxation, helping the participants feel more grounded.”

And yet: “We’re confident in our science, but know our limitations,” Olly admits on Instagram.  “So we called in some backup—your very own, totally unlicensed, completely candid therapist, actress and comedian @heatherkmcmahan.”

That post includes the announcement of a five-part, month-long series titled “Unlicensed Shower Therapy” in which Olly says that “not-at-all doctor” McMahon “will be dishing real-life advice in response to your real-life Qs (you know, those nagging, everyday shower thoughts like, ‘Will I be able to stay calm at my mother-in-law’s lake house this weekend?’ or ‘Who in the world still gets 8hrs of sleep?’).”

This campaign, created with Orchestra’s Derris agency, takes place on Olly’s and McMahon’s social media pages and will include additional cuts and behind-the-scenes videos.

Calm, Revive, Bright and Renew products, priced at $12.99 each, are available at Walmart, Amazon, Target and Olly.com.

Walmart also offers a fifth Mood + Skin product exclusively: Happy Hoo-Ha Shave and Wash, specifically for the vaginal area.

With this brand extension, Olly enters the booming bath and shower products market, which Fortune Business Insights values at having been worth $51.17 billion globally in 2024. Aromatherapy, the researcher notes, has “supported the adoption of fragranced bathroom products owing to the rising concerns regarding body odor,” while “body washes and bath bombs infused with essential oils and floral scents are popular as they provide a spa-like experience.”

Unilever itself is no stranger to this growing trend, offering other brands such as Dove’s Replenish and Serum lines.