Andrew Stanleick’s introduction to beauty came at an early age. Growing up in London with three older sisters, he was the unwitting recipient of countless beauty treatments. “They were always experimenting on me! I was the test subject for everything from face masks, nail polish, to hair dye.”
But what really inspired him was watching his mom get ready for work. “She would always say, ‘I’m putting on my face.’” And as she would add a swipe of lipstick or a coat of mascara, he watched her whole demeanor change. “It gave her a spring in her step,” said Stanleick, President of Skin Health & Beauty, North America and Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Kenvue, the company behind Neutrogena, OGX, and Aveeno. “That’s what this industry is really about: giving people confidence.”
Today, Stanleick is tasked with translating that ethos for a generation raised on TikTok tutorials and dermatologist influencers. In a wide-ranging interview, he shares how Kenvue is leveraging science, celebrity, and social media to win over Gen Z, while staying true to a deep health expertise that’s inherent to its DNA.
On Courting Gen Z: “They’re the Most Educated Consumers We’ve Ever Seen”
CEW: Gen Z seems to know more about skin care than many dermatologists. How is Kenvue adapting?
AS: It’s not just Gen Z. About 82% of consumers consider health and wellness a top priority and skin care is one way consumers participate in self-care. Therefore, consumers are more ingredient conscious. They want clinical proof, not just marketing. At Kenvue, we’ve done 188 clinical studies in skin health and beauty in the past year alone. But for younger audiences, social media is the game-changer. Our dermatologist partners, like Dr. Bhanusali and Dr. Shah, with 20 million TikTok followers, explain the science in digestible ways. And ambassadors like Tate McRae — who has trusted Neutrogena since she was young — bring authenticity.
CEW: Can you tell us a little more about why Tate McRae was the right choice for Neutrogena? And what that full activation looks like for the brand?
AS: She’s really a voice of the younger generation, which has historically been difficult to reach for many legacy brands. She has 20 million plus followers on TikTok and — in the last 12 months — she was one of the most downloaded people on Spotify. Her storytelling really resonates with Gen Z fans. She’s got this relatable, unstoppable energy. She talks openly about self-care and mental health. We’re sponsoring her world tour including with TikTok Shop integrations, merch, and live sampling. It’s a full, 360-degree play.
The Science Edge: “We Jumpstarted the Hyaluronic Acid Category, Bringing it to the Masses”
CEW: Kenvue spun off from J&J. How does that legacy shape your innovation?
AS: You know, I’ve been privileged to work at some of the world’s leading beauty companies, but the science here is truly superior. And when you step back and think about it, maybe that’s not a surprise, because until 21 months ago, we were part of a health care company. I think it’s the biggest kept secret in the beauty industry: just how good our science is.
For example, we were the first to commercialize minoxidil, stabilized retinol, hyaluronic acid, and glycolic acid at mass. Kenvue has over 1,500 skin health and beauty patents. At Kenvue we see our role in the beauty industry as leveraging our superior science, advanced technology, and unique partnerships with top dermatologists and trichologists to deliver luxurious, highly efficacious products, backed by clinical studies at pricing that is accessible for everyone. For example, our new OGX Bond Protein Repair line delivers effective bonding repair at a fraction of the price of prestige brands. In essence, we are truly democratizing beauty for everyone by providing accessible efficacy, and that’s my vision for Kenvue.
CEW: Sunscreen is another area where science meets accessibility. Your new campaign tackles low usage rates — why?
AS: More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined, yet only 34% of Americans use sunscreen regularly. Our research found two pain points around sunscreen usage: white cast and heaviness. So, Neutrogena developed Ultra Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 70. The advanced, fast-absorbing mineral formula ensures an ultra-light, invisible finish without the heavy, greasy feel. And our Ultra Sheer Sunscreen campaign features John Cena, playing on the concept of the invisible finish.
Influencer Marketing: “Authenticity Is Non-Negotiable”
CEW: How is Kenvue balancing authentic storytelling with performance-driven marketing to engage younger consumers across platforms like TikTok and Instagram?
AS: It’s about authentic fans. While celebrity ambassadors are scripted, they authentically love the product. Demi Lovato’s OGX campaign worked because she loves it. Same with Tate. That said, content creators get creative freedom — they know their audience better than we do.
CEW: What’s your advice for navigating TikTok and Amazon’s dominance?
AS: Follow the consumer, full stop. Brands that hesitated on Amazon are now scrambling. For example, we were live selling on TikTok Shop during Tate’s album release concert. And we’re using AR for virtual skin analyses. If you’re not meeting consumers where they are, you’re irrelevant.
The Future: “Beauty Is Health, and Health Is Beauty”
CEW: What’s next for Kenvue?
AS: Our Skin Health & Beauty business is focused on empowering people to enhance their health, beauty, and wellness with premium, high-efficacy solutions that are accessible to all. In a beauty landscape where health is the new standard, consumers often face trade-offs between price, experience, and benefit. We’re changing that by combining cutting-edge science, advanced technology, and partnerships with top dermatologists and trichologists to deliver luxurious, effective products for everyone.
As Stanleick wraps up, he laughs about a question posed to him recently by his 10-year-old son: “Dad, do you just walk around Sephora all day?” His answer? “No — I’m in the business of building confidence.” And in 2025, that business will be more dynamic than ever.
