Saltair explores potential sale as The Center eyes third beauty exit

Saltair, the bodycare brand founded by model and influencer Iskra Lawrence alongside Los Angeles-based brand incubator The Center, is exploring a potential sale.

The Center has hired investment bank Raymond James to oversee the process, with initial bids due soon, industry sources told WWD. 

If completed, a transaction would mark The Center's third beauty-brand exit in four years, following the $355 million sale of skincare brand Naturium to E.l.f. Beauty in 2023 and the sale of fragrance brand Phlur to TSG Consumer Partners in 2025.

Founded in 2022, Saltair has positioned itself as a modern bodycare brand focused on sensorial formulations and skincare-inspired ingredients.

Lawrence, a British model based in the United States, has more than five million Instagram followers and has served as the brand's public face since its launch.

Its products are vegan and cruelty-free, with formulations featuring botanical extracts and oils. Saltair expanded into the UK through Space NK last October.

Last year, the company also strengthened its leadership team by appointing Rachel Shelowitz as Chief Executive Officer and Erin Sale as Chief Marketing Officer. Before joining Saltair, Shelowitz served as CEO of Lawless Beauty, where she led the brand's expansion into Sephora. Sale previously served as CMO of Murad Skincare.

Backed by Prelude Growth Partners, The Center incubates beauty brands and exits them once they reach scale. Its portfolio also includes Cyklar, Make Beauty and Prequel.

The incubator's first high-profile exit came in 2023, when E.l.f. Beauty acquired Naturium for $355 million.

The second exit followed in 2025, when TSG Consumer Partners agreed to acquire fragrance brand Phlur, which was co-created with Chriselle Lim. Financial terms were not disclosed, although Phlur was projected to surpass $150 million in retail sales that year.

With projected 2026 sales of around $150 million, Saltair has reached a similar scale. 

A representative for The Center declined to comment on the sale process.