Kao Corporation is a chemical and cosmetics company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Kao began as a domestic toiletry soap in 1890 by Tomiro Nagase. Until 1940, they were known as Nihon Yuki Company, changing their name then to Kao Soap Company, and finally in 1985 to Kao Corporation. Kao entered the North American and European markets in 1986-1989, purchasing the Andrew Jergens Company. A research project on face powders resulted in the discovery of a dispersing system that was ideal for the management of magnetic particles spread over floppy discs, and Kao in 1985 established a U.S. subsidiary called Kao Infosystems Company to manufacture such discs. Their U.S. brands operations are based in Cincinnati, Ohio and the Canadian subsidiary is based in Mississauga, Ontario.

Their products in North America include Enova oil, Jergens lotions, Bioré skin care/beauty products, John Frieda haircare products, and Ban deodorant. In East and SouthEast Asia, where they market soaps, shampoos (Feather brand), Sanitary and baby napkins, fabric softeners, detergents (Attack brand) as well, many of their products carry the Kao name, or its equivalent in Chinese speaking nations, 花王. (Mandarin: Huāwáng)

In 2005, Kao acquired Molton Brown Ltd, a British beauty brand that produces luxury skincare, hair care and bath & body care products in the UK.

In 2006, It acquired Kanebo Corporation, a major Japanese cosmetics company.