Personal care bigwig Johnson & Johnson has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire dermocosmetics business NeoStrata, a privately held company.

The acquisition is supposed to complete in the first half of this year following clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary closing conditions.

Pushing J&J forward into new dermocosmetics, NeoStrata develops a range of dermatologist-developed skin care products and has been pivotal in breakthrough research in Alpha hydroxy acids. These have become a staple for anti-ageing products.

Jorge Mesquita, Worldwide Chairman, Consumer, Johnson & Johnson, said, “NeoStrata and Johnson & Johnson share a strong history of innovation and together we will work to discover important new skin care solutions grounded in deep human insights and compelling science. We look forward to working closely with NeoStrata’s distributors around the world and having their outstanding team of employees join Johnson & Johnson Consumer later this year.”