Yesterday, hair care brand Seen, founded by Harvard-trained dermatologist Dr. Iris Rubin, has successfully secured $9 million in a Series A funding round, marking a significant milestone in its mission to redefine hair care for individuals with sensitive skin. The funding round attracted notable investors, including Mitch Rales, cofounder of Danaher Corporation; Sator Grove Holdings; and George Mrkonic, a board director at Ulta Beauty. The investment underscores a growing interest in innovative personal care solutions that cater to specific skin concerns.
Dr. Rubin’s journey began when she experienced breakouts linked to her hair care products, prompting her to develop Seen with a focus on formulating products that are both effective and gentle on the skin. “A majority of adults in the U.S. have self-described sensitive skin, and over 100 million people suffer from conditions like acne, eczema, dry scalp, and hair shedding,” Rubin explained. She pointed out that many conventional hair care products contain irritating, allergenic, and pore-clogging ingredients that can exacerbate these issues. Seen’s mission is to empower individuals to feel confident being seen, offering salon-quality formulations that are clinically proven to be skin-friendly.
Since its launch in 2019 with just three core products, Seen has rapidly expanded its lineup to include a comprehensive range of offerings, such as shampoos, conditioners, hair serums, styling products, face washes, and body washes. This growth reflects a strong market demand for products that address both hair and skin health.
Greg Maged, cofounder and chief executive officer of Seen, highlighted that the new funding will facilitate innovation and allow Seen to scale its professional sampling program to reach 10,000 dermatology practices by 2025. The brand made its retail debut in Ulta’s Sparked program in 2022 and has since expanded to over 700 locations, consistently exceeding sales projections. “We’ve had 100 percent compounded annual growth since our launch, which speaks to the effectiveness and appeal of our products,” Maged remarked.
Mrkonic expressed his enthusiasm for investing in Seen, noting that the brand is setting a new standard for performance in hair care. “Seen is applying skin science to hair care, which is exactly the kind of category-defining innovation that gets Ulta excited,” he said. With this fresh capital, Seen is poised to continue its trajectory of growth and innovation, further establishing itself as a leader in the hair care industry tailored for those with sensitive skin.
