China's Mininurse is to be part of L'Oreal make-up

L'Oreal, the world's largest cosmetics company, will acquire mainland skincare firm Mininurse to expand its distribution in China.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Mininurse, with forecast sales of Euro40 million (HK$377.6 million) this year, is distributed in 280,000 outlets across China and also has a manufacturing facility in Hubei province.

Launched in 1992, the company claims to be one of China's top three skincare firms, with a market share of 5 per cent.

'This allows us to move quickly into the Chinese consumer skincare market,' L'Oreal China general manager Paolo Gasparrini said.

L'Oreal sells its products under many brands, including Lancome, Maybelline and Biotherm.