Los Angeles Beauty Accelerator Completes Three Brand Exits
The Center, led by founder Ben Bennett, has now finalized three major brand exits within the last four years.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Beauty
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Los Angeles-based beauty accelerator The Center has achieved a trio of significant brand exits between 2023 and July 2026. The firm specializes in partnering with entrepreneurs to commercialize and scale operations for long-term growth.
Why it matters
Founder Ben Bennett operates the firm with a focus on creating brands intended to function as legacy entities rather than quick flips. This strategy has gained industry recognition, including the 2026 WWD Honor for Private Beauty Company of the Year.
The Center facilitated the sale of Naturium to E.l.f. Beauty for $355 million in 2023. Additionally, TSG Consumer reached agreements to acquire Phlur in July 2025 and a majority stake in Saltair in July 2026.
The players
Ben Bennett
He is the founder and chief executive officer of The Center who previously cofounded Hatch Beauty in 2010.
The Center
This Los Angeles-based beauty accelerator develops brands alongside entrepreneurs to help them scale operations.
E.l.f. Beauty
This public cosmetics company acquired the skincare brand Naturium for $355 million in 2023.
TSG Consumer
This private equity firm focused on the consumer sector entered agreements to acquire both Phlur and Saltair.
The details
The Center operates as a Los Angeles-based incubator that works alongside founders to build and professionalize beauty businesses. The firm currently has additional brands in various stages of development following its recent success.
Timeline
Ben Bennett cofounded Hatch Beauty in 2010.
The Center launched in 2019.
E.l.f. Beauty acquired Naturium in 2023.
TSG Consumer agreed to acquire Phlur in July 2025.
TSG Consumer agreed to acquire a majority stake in Saltair in July 2026.
Culture Shift
The firm's receipt of the 2026 WWD Honor for Private Beauty Company of the Year serves as an industry-wide validation of its legacy-focused business model. This success highlights a broader shift toward professionalized incubation in the independent beauty market.
The success of this Los Angeles-based firm highlights the region's strengthening role as a hub for professionalized beauty brand incubation. Local entrepreneurs can expect a more structured environment for scaling their own ventures to compete at a national level.
The takeaway
The Center demonstrates that beauty brands can be systematically groomed for acquisition by focusing on long-term operational stability. Entrepreneurs should prioritize professionalizing their back-office infrastructure early to attract interest from major beauty conglomerates.
Further reading
For more on the industry, visit the Beauty section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WWD.
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When buying beauty products, do you prioritize brand reputation over specific product ingredients?
