Credo Acquires Fellow “Clean Beauty” Retailer Follain

A pair of “clean-beauty” pioneers have joined forces, with Credo (San Francisco) acquiring Follain (Boston) for an undisclosed price.

As part of the deal, Credo will absorb Follain’s online retail business and storefront in Beacon Hill, which will serve as the retailer’s second store in the Boston market. The Follain-branded skincare line will become part of Credo’s brand portfolio, which consists of makeup brand, Exa, and mineral sunscreen collection, EleVen, by Venus Williams.

“The acquisition of Follain, a like-minded company with a shared mission, is an important step forward for Credo and the clean category,” says Credo CEO Stuart Millar in a news release. “Solidifying Credo’s clean beauty leadership position allows us to scale our impact in a meaningful way, and we are excited to continue to advocate for change in a highly under-regulated industry.”

Founded in 2014, Credo set out to create a cleaner, more sustainable, more ethical beauty industry. The move to acquire Follain supports Credo’s goal to create a single standard, a roadmap for brands and consumers alike, the companies say.

In addition to its online business, Credo operates 10 stores across the country, including its latest location in Los Angeles’ Larchmont Village.