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Case Study

Colorescience

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Premium skin health brand offering award-winning sun protection and corrective skincare products.

Year of Investment

2017

Deal Type

Growth Equity

Status

Active

Vertical

Health & Wellness

Location

Carlsbad, CA

Colorescience skincare bottles and tubes arranged on light blue blocks.

Investment Thesis

Consumer Demand

Skin health-focused providers and consumers drive demand for natural, non-chemical sun protection.

Provider Tailwinds

Growing market for non-surgical cosmetic procedures with products used pre- and post-procedure.

Channel Expansion

Further acceleration potential into professional and online direct-to-consumer channels.

Value Creation

Portfolio Innovation

Led strategy and innovation workshops to help brainstorm next-generation product pipeline and marketing tactics.

Governance

Helped streamline board of directors and played active role as lead director.

Network Expansion

Augmented lender, banker, and strategic acquirer relationships.

The 1315 team invested in Colorescience at a pivotal time, leading our Series C round of financing and unlocking substantial growth. Together we refined the unique brand promise of multi-functional, science-backed products tailored for everyday use. Colorescience benefitted from active thought partnership, analytical support, brand advocacy, and access to healthcare networks.

Together, we have fundamentally changed how a professional skin care brand operates leveraging digital marketing and a holistic, omnichannel strategy. As a result, we are the fastest growing Physician-Dispensed skin care; #1 Brand in Gen-Z social media; #1 in growing followers, with 2-year revenue CAGR of 38%, and EBITDA % in the high teens. Most important, we have substantially increased the number of people using mineral sun care every day, protecting themselves and their families from skin cancer, providing immediate benefits, and contributing to skin health.

Mary Fisher

CEO of Colorescience

Colorescience sunscreens and Total Eye products arranged on a beige background with geometric blocks.

#1

Fastest Growing Physician-Dispensed Skincare

85%

Sales Patent Protected

770K+

Followers Across Social Platforms

~40%

CAGR

Key Highlights

  • 2012: Company spun out of SkinMedica / Allergan
  • 2015: Introduced new standard of multi-functional SPF, Even Up, a groundbreaking 3-in-1 solution
  • 2017: Debuted EnviroScreen™ Technology
  • 2018–2025: Launched Total Eye, Face Shield Flex, No-Show SPF, Barrier Pro, and Serum Spray

Results

Colorescience has grown to be a market leading professional grade skincare and sun protection business. The business diversified their revenue across professional, online, and international channels and has achieved significant growth both on top-line revenue and cash flow generation.