Bayer Sells OTC Skin Care Brands To WellSpring Consumer Healthcare

WellSpring Consumer Healthcare has acquired a portfolio of over-the-counter skin care brands from Bayer AG. The brands include A+D diaper rash and skincare, Solarcaine and Cortate and Complex 15, two Canadian therapeutic skincare brands.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Solarcaine is a leader in sunburn relief. 

WellSpring Consumer Healthcare, Sarasota, FL, is a portfolio company of Avista Capital Partners, a middle-market healthcare private equity firm with expertise in building OTC platforms. The acquisition represents WellSpring's first add-on acquisition since Avista's investment into the company in August 2022. 

Bayer sold its suncare business in 2019.

“We are thrilled with the additions of A+D and Solarcaine, said Chris Brown, CEO of WellSpring Consumer Healthcare.  These trusted, iconic brands align with our core mission to improve the health and wellness of our consumers and will reinforce our position as a leader in important needs-based segments, such as therapeutic skincare. WellSpring's growth model continues to deliver strong results with our focus on new product innovation, distribution expansion, and strategic acquisitions. A+D and Solarcaine offer unique opportunities to accelerate our robust product pipeline.”

Alex Yu, partner at Avista Capital Partners, called the deal a “strategic acquisition for WellSpring, which not only adds established OTC brands to the WellSpring portfolio, but also provides attractive scale, future growth opportunities, and expands our presence in one of WellSpring's core product categories.”

Founded in 1999, WellSpring sells several OTC products in the US and Canada. Its roster includes Bonine motion sickness, Emetrol anti-nausea treatment and FDS, a women's intimate care line.