Oak Essentials inks funding from Unilever Ventures, Silas Capital

Skincare brand Oak Essentials announced on Wednesday it has secured first-round dual funding from Silas Capital and Unilever Ventures.

Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

The U.S. brand said the investment will fuel its expansion, including product development, increased marketing efforts, and broader distribution.

Founded by Jenni Kayne in 2021, Oak Essentials is a Californian beauty brand, initially focusing on skincare before expanding into body care. With some 26 products on offer today, its hero products include the Moisture Rich Balm, Ritual Oil, and Dew Body Oil, with the brand selling over half a million products since its inception.

“We love how Jenni Kayne has applied tasteful curation to create Oak Essentials as a luxurious beauty lifestyle brand centered around ritual, relaxation, and sensorial experiences reminiscent of a visit to the spa – at your own convenience. The brand delivers for consumers who are increasingly embracing the holistic wellness benefits of beauty products with an appreciation for self-care and beauty routines,” said Anna Ohlsson-Baskerville, partner at Unilever Ventures, the investment arm of consumer goods giant Unilever.

In January, Lauren Harris was named CEO of Oak Essentials, with the company added Harris’ extensive experience will be leveraged for brand growth to drive Oak Essentials forward.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce our partnership with Silas Capital and Unilever Ventures. Their investment is a powerful endorsement of our vision to offer spa-like and effective skincare rituals for sophisticated consumers to experience in their own homes,” said Harris.

“Having spent the last three years building our DTC business, we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come but are eagerly looking ahead to this next phase.  We are so grateful to have Silas and Unilever Ventures’ support and expertise as we place focus on the key areas that we believe will solidify us as leaders in prestige beauty; keeping product innovation at the forefront and building upon our existing assortment and categories, expanding our distribution channels with new and upcoming retail partnerships, and deepening our focus on sustainability as a core pillar of the brand.  This is such an incredible milestone for Oak Essentials and we’re so excited for what’s to come.”

In the last nine months, the brand has evolved from being direct-to-consumer only to being stocked at ShopBop and Nordstrom, with more retail relationships expected soon.