As the Q2 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the personal care industry, including Olaplex (NASDAQ: OLPX) and its peers.
While personal care products products may seem more discretionary than food, consumers tend to maintain or even boost their spending on the category during tough times. This phenomenon is known as "the lipstick effect" by economists, which states that consumers still want some semblance of affordable luxuries like beauty and wellness when the economy is sputtering. Consumer tastes are constantly changing, and personal care companies are currently responding to the public’s increased desire for ethically produced goods by featuring natural ingredients in their products.
The 12 personal care stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.7% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 7% below.
While some personal care stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 4.7% since the latest earnings results.
Olaplex (NASDAQ: OLPX)
Rising to fame on TikTok because of its “bond building" hair products, Olaplex (NASDAQ: OLPX) offers products and treatments that repair the damage caused by traditional heat and chemical-based styling goods.
Olaplex reported revenues of $106.3 million, up 2.3% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 5%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.
Amanda Baldwin, OLAPLEX’s Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We delivered a solid first half of 2025. We remain in the midst of a multi-pronged transformation and are encouraged by the progress realized thus far. We are optimistic for the future as we continue to execute on our Bonds and Beyond strategy."
Olaplex scored the biggest analyst estimates beat but had the weakest full-year guidance update of the whole group. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 5.7% since reporting and currently trades at $1.32.
Is now the time to buy Olaplex? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Best Q2: USANA (NYSE: USNA)
Going to market with a direct selling model rather than through traditional retailers, USANA Health Sciences (NYSE: USNA) manufactures and sells nutritional, personal care, and skincare products.
USANA reported revenues of $235.8 million, up 10.8% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.7%. The business had an exceptional quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA and EPS estimates.
USANA scored the fastest revenue growth among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 13.5% since reporting. It currently trades at $27.27.
Is now the time to buy USANA? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Weakest Q2: Edgewell Personal Care (NYSE: EPC)
Boasting brands such as Banana Boat, Schick, and Skintimate, Edgewell Personal Care (NYSE: EPC) sells personal care products in the skin and sun care, shave, and feminine care categories.
Edgewell Personal Care reported revenues of $627.2 million, down 3.2% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 4.2%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ organic revenue and EBITDA estimates.
Edgewell Personal Care delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 16.5% since the results and currently trades at $20.88.
Read our full analysis of Edgewell Personal Care’s results here.
Estée Lauder (NYSE: EL)
Named after its founder, who was an entrepreneurial woman from New York with a passion for skincare, Estée Lauder (NYSE: EL) is a one-stop beauty shop with products in skincare, fragrance, makeup, sun protection, and men’s grooming.
Estée Lauder reported revenues of $3.41 billion, down 11.9% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations. More broadly, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations.
The stock is down 4.5% since reporting and currently trades at $85.93.
Read our full, actionable report on Estée Lauder here, it’s free.
Nature's Sunshine (NASDAQ: NATR)
Started on a kitchen table in Utah, Nature’s Sunshine (NASDAQ: NATR) manufactures and sells nutritional and personal care products.
Nature's Sunshine reported revenues of $114.8 million, up 3.8% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 2.2%. It was a very strong quarter as it also put up a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.
The stock is up 14.2% since reporting and currently trades at $15.87.
Read our full, actionable report on Nature's Sunshine here, it’s free.
Market Update
In response to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been gradually trending down from its post-pandemic peak, trending closer to the Fed’s 2% target. Despite higher borrowing costs, the economy has avoided flashing recessionary signals. This is the much-desired soft landing that many investors hoped for. The recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November 2024) have bolstered the stock market, making 2024 a strong year for equities. Donald Trump’s presidential win in November sparked additional market gains, sending indices to record highs in the days following his victory. However, debates continue over possible tariffs and corporate tax adjustments, raising questions about economic stability in 2025.
Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.
StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.
