SOURCE / PRESS RELEASE
Kenvue empowers healthier living in China through minor ailment management
"The next time you come across a 'xiao mao bing,' or a minor ailment, you will recognize that it should be actively managed, and you can always seek support and solutions from Kenvue," said Gift Arpaporn Samabhandhu, president of Kenvue China, in a compelling address to the media and stakeholders on June 16 in Shanghai.
Since becoming an independent entity, Kenvue has sharpened its focus on innovation, localization, and personalization, aiming to better meet the unique needs of consumers worldwide, especially in a dynamic and fast-evolving market like China.
Kenvue's efforts in China are strongly aligned with the national "Healthy China 2030" initiative - a policy blueprint aimed at improving health literacy, reducing the disease burden, and encouraging healthier lifestyles among the Chinese population.
A particularly powerful example of this approach is Kenvue's focus on managing minor ailments - conditions known in Chinese as "xiao mao bing." Though not life-threatening, such ailments are often misunderstood, neglected, or misdiagnosed, leading to worsening conditions over time.
Consider allergic rhinitis: In China, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis among the Chinese adult population is as high as 17.6 percent. Yet, according to research, around 80 percent of them either confuse it with a common cold or fail to treat it altogether. This is not without consequences. Data shows that 40 percent of individuals with allergic rhinitis either already have asthma or are at high risk of developing it.
"Minor ailments might seem trivial, but their cumulative impact on health and well-being is significant," Samabhandhu stressed. "They can reduce life quality, lower productivity, and even place additional burdens on families and the healthcare system. Treating them effectively is a form of preventive care with enormous benefits."
A recent Kenvue-supported survey of over 2,000 consumers in more than 100 cities revealed a growing public awareness of this issue. About 70% of respondents expressed a desire to learn more about self-managing minor ailments, and more than 90% were open to purchasing medicines proactively for home use. These findings affirm a shift toward proactive self-care - a trend that Kenvue is ready to support.
To meet this demand, the company offers an array of solutions designed to address specific health needs. "Our brands are there for every vulnerable moment," Samabhandhu explained. "From fever in children to menstrual pain, backaches, allergic rhinitis, or sensitive skin in babies - Kenvue's product portfolio is broad, accessible, and rooted in science," said Samabhandhu, adding the words "xiao mao bing yao ke fu," meaning looking for Kenvue whenever you come across a minor ailment.
For allergic rhinitis, Kenvue offers products like Rhinocort budesonide nasal spray and Xisimin loratadine tablets. But it doesn't stop at product availability. The company is also deeply engaged in public health education, launching awareness campaigns and collaborating with local governments, the media, and healthcare professionals to demystify allergic rhinitis and promote early treatment.
Listerine is another shining example. As China's top-selling mouthwash, Listerine has become more than just a product - it's a key player in reshaping oral hygiene habits. Research shows that combining Listerine's essential oil formula with brushing and flossing reduces dental plaque five times more effectively than brushing and flossing alone.
To support oral health education, Kenvue works closely with organizations like the China Oral Health Foundation and Dental Healthcare Professionals. They also leverage the influence of public figures, such as Olympic swimmer Shun Wang, to promote the "brush, floss, rinse" regimen.
Across all its brands, Kenvue follows a consistent strategy: listen to consumers, partner with experts, and deliver effective, science-backed products with an excellent user experience. But what truly sets Kenvue apart is how it brings these offerings into the cultural mainstream. The company ensures that its presence goes beyond the medicine cabinet - it becomes part of everyday conversation.
"This strategy is what makes Kenvue not only competitive but culturally relevant," Samabhandhu added. "It's also what allows us to contribute meaningfully to national initiatives like Healthy China 2030."
The strategic significance of China sets it apart from all other markets, with size being just one advantage.
"China is not just large - it is also unique," Samabhandhu said, emphasizing that the country features a mature value chain that spans from world-class R&D and robust manufacturing capabilities to advanced distribution and retail ecosystems. The Chinese market has become a benchmark for speed, quality, and innovation in the consumer health industry.
Reflecting this importance, Kenvue has invested heavily in its Chinese operations. The company runs two research and development centers, four manufacturing plants, and ten distribution centers in China, supported by a local workforce of over 1,600 employees. Most of the products sold in China are manufactured locally, and the proportion is increasing every year. In addition, products manufactured locally are being exported to global markets - including Japan, Australia, and South Africa - further cementing China's role as a critical hub for Kenvue's international supply chain.
One of the crown jewels in this infrastructure is Kenvue's Shanghai factory, which was recognized in 2023 by the World Economic Forum as a "Lighthouse Factory." This prestigious designation is given to factories that lead the world in applying advanced technologies and digital tools to drive productivity, sustainability, and operational excellence.
"Our vision is to build a supply chain that is not just efficient, but intelligent, agile, and sustainable," said Liang Yan, E2E operations senior director for Kenvue China. "We're building a responsive system that can quickly adapt to evolving consumer needs, leverage data for continuous improvement, and collaborate with upstream and downstream partners to drive resilience and innovation."
Yan added that Kenvue will also implement China's concept of high-quality development, create new quality productive forces, practice sustainable development in the new era, and push for the continuous upgrading of Kenvue's supply chain in China.
Looking ahead, Kenvue pledges to continue investing in China, not only in facilities and products but in people, partnerships, and public health. "We firmly believe that small, healthy daily rituals can lead to big outcomes," Samabhandhu concluded. "And whether it's past, present, or the future, Kenvue will be there - supporting Chinese families with trustworthy, science-based products that deliver everyday care to Chinese consumers."
Kenvue, which officially spun off from Johnson & Johnson in 2023, draws on more than 135 years of heritage in consumer health. The company owns a portfolio of world-renowned brands like Motrin, Tylenol, Rhinocort, Listerine, Band-Aid, and Aveeno - names that have become synonymous with trust, reliability, and care in households across the globe. Operating in over 165 countries and regions with a global team of over 20,000 employees, Kenvue recorded $15.5 billion in annual net sales. Each year, its products serve more than 1.2 billion consumers.
Since becoming an independent entity, Kenvue has sharpened its focus on innovation, localization, and personalization, aiming to better meet the unique needs of consumers worldwide, especially in a dynamic and fast-evolving market like China.
Kenvue's efforts in China are strongly aligned with the national "Healthy China 2030" initiative - a policy blueprint aimed at improving health literacy, reducing the disease burden, and encouraging healthier lifestyles among the Chinese population.
A particularly powerful example of this approach is Kenvue's focus on managing minor ailments - conditions known in Chinese as "xiao mao bing." Though not life-threatening, such ailments are often misunderstood, neglected, or misdiagnosed, leading to worsening conditions over time.
Consider allergic rhinitis: In China, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis among the Chinese adult population is as high as 17.6 percent. Yet, according to research, around 80 percent of them either confuse it with a common cold or fail to treat it altogether. This is not without consequences. Data shows that 40 percent of individuals with allergic rhinitis either already have asthma or are at high risk of developing it.
"Minor ailments might seem trivial, but their cumulative impact on health and well-being is significant," Samabhandhu stressed. "They can reduce life quality, lower productivity, and even place additional burdens on families and the healthcare system. Treating them effectively is a form of preventive care with enormous benefits."
A recent Kenvue-supported survey of over 2,000 consumers in more than 100 cities revealed a growing public awareness of this issue. About 70% of respondents expressed a desire to learn more about self-managing minor ailments, and more than 90% were open to purchasing medicines proactively for home use. These findings affirm a shift toward proactive self-care - a trend that Kenvue is ready to support.
To meet this demand, the company offers an array of solutions designed to address specific health needs. "Our brands are there for every vulnerable moment," Samabhandhu explained. "From fever in children to menstrual pain, backaches, allergic rhinitis, or sensitive skin in babies - Kenvue's product portfolio is broad, accessible, and rooted in science," said Samabhandhu, adding the words "xiao mao bing yao ke fu," meaning looking for Kenvue whenever you come across a minor ailment.
For allergic rhinitis, Kenvue offers products like Rhinocort budesonide nasal spray and Xisimin loratadine tablets. But it doesn't stop at product availability. The company is also deeply engaged in public health education, launching awareness campaigns and collaborating with local governments, the media, and healthcare professionals to demystify allergic rhinitis and promote early treatment.
Listerine is another shining example. As China's top-selling mouthwash, Listerine has become more than just a product - it's a key player in reshaping oral hygiene habits. Research shows that combining Listerine's essential oil formula with brushing and flossing reduces dental plaque five times more effectively than brushing and flossing alone.
To support oral health education, Kenvue works closely with organizations like the China Oral Health Foundation and Dental Healthcare Professionals. They also leverage the influence of public figures, such as Olympic swimmer Shun Wang, to promote the "brush, floss, rinse" regimen.
Across all its brands, Kenvue follows a consistent strategy: listen to consumers, partner with experts, and deliver effective, science-backed products with an excellent user experience. But what truly sets Kenvue apart is how it brings these offerings into the cultural mainstream. The company ensures that its presence goes beyond the medicine cabinet - it becomes part of everyday conversation.
"This strategy is what makes Kenvue not only competitive but culturally relevant," Samabhandhu added. "It's also what allows us to contribute meaningfully to national initiatives like Healthy China 2030."
The strategic significance of China sets it apart from all other markets, with size being just one advantage.
"China is not just large - it is also unique," Samabhandhu said, emphasizing that the country features a mature value chain that spans from world-class R&D and robust manufacturing capabilities to advanced distribution and retail ecosystems. The Chinese market has become a benchmark for speed, quality, and innovation in the consumer health industry.
Reflecting this importance, Kenvue has invested heavily in its Chinese operations. The company runs two research and development centers, four manufacturing plants, and ten distribution centers in China, supported by a local workforce of over 1,600 employees. Most of the products sold in China are manufactured locally, and the proportion is increasing every year. In addition, products manufactured locally are being exported to global markets - including Japan, Australia, and South Africa - further cementing China's role as a critical hub for Kenvue's international supply chain.
One of the crown jewels in this infrastructure is Kenvue's Shanghai factory, which was recognized in 2023 by the World Economic Forum as a "Lighthouse Factory." This prestigious designation is given to factories that lead the world in applying advanced technologies and digital tools to drive productivity, sustainability, and operational excellence.
"Our vision is to build a supply chain that is not just efficient, but intelligent, agile, and sustainable," said Liang Yan, E2E operations senior director for Kenvue China. "We're building a responsive system that can quickly adapt to evolving consumer needs, leverage data for continuous improvement, and collaborate with upstream and downstream partners to drive resilience and innovation."
Yan added that Kenvue will also implement China's concept of high-quality development, create new quality productive forces, practice sustainable development in the new era, and push for the continuous upgrading of Kenvue's supply chain in China.
Looking ahead, Kenvue pledges to continue investing in China, not only in facilities and products but in people, partnerships, and public health. "We firmly believe that small, healthy daily rituals can lead to big outcomes," Samabhandhu concluded. "And whether it's past, present, or the future, Kenvue will be there - supporting Chinese families with trustworthy, science-based products that deliver everyday care to Chinese consumers."
