The Body Shop personal care products

The Body Shop is an iconic British beauty brand that has been a pioneer in ethical consumerism since its inception in 1976. Founded by Anita Roddick in Brighton, England, the brand was built on the revolutionary idea that business could be a force for good, emphasizing natural ingredients and animal-friendly practices long before they became industry standards.

Over the decades, the brand's ownership has transitioned through several major global entities. After 30 years as an independent and then publicly traded company, it was acquired by the French cosmetics giant L'Oréal in 2006. In 2017, it was sold to the Brazilian conglomerate Natura & Co. Following a brief and turbulent period under the German investment firm Aurelius (2023–2024), the company faced financial administration in the UK.

As of September 2024 and moving into 2026, The Body Shop is owned by the Auréa Group, a specialist investment platform focused on beauty and wellness. Led by British tycoon Mike Jatania, the new ownership has focused on stabilizing the business and returning it to its ethical roots, including moving the global headquarters back to Brighton. Manufacturing remains distributed across multiple locations globally, though many products continue to be formulated and produced in the United Kingdom to maintain the brand's heritage quality.