Radox bubblebath and Brylcreem hair gel will join Unilever’s brand portfolio after the Anglo-Dutch multinational agreed to pay €1.27bn ($1.9bn) in cash for Sara Lee’s personal care business to strengthen its competitive position in Europe.

The acquisition, the first one made with the direct involvement of new chief executive Paul Polman, gives Unilever Sanex handwashes, shower gels and deodorants as well as the Dutch personal care brand Zwitsal and German brand Duschdas.