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Oak Essentials, the skin and body care brand founded by the Californian womenswear designer Jenni Kayne, announced yesterday that it has secured an investment from Unilever’s corporate venture capital arm, Unilever Ventures, and venture capital firm Silas Capital.
Founded in 2021, Oak Essentials offers 26 products with a natural bent, such as the Dew Body Oil ($58) and Moisture Rich Balm ($88), and is stocked in retailers including Shopbop and Nordstrom. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though in a statement, Oak Essentials said it plans to use the investment to power further growth in retail, product development and brand awareness. The brand’s chief executive Lauren Harris said it will soon expand wholesale partnerships and introduce a new product pipeline.
Silas Capital has also backed buzzy beauty brands such as the cosmetics line Makeup by Mario, hair care line Roz and clean beauty brand Ilia, while Unilever Ventures tapped skincare brands Gallinée and Grown Alchemist, which sold to Shiseido and L’Occitane respectively.
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