Certified B Corporation Eco Lips has acquired Simply Soothing, a fellow Iowa-based personal care company and the maker of Bug Soother Insect Repellent.

The eighth largest bug repellent brand in the US, Simply Soothing's Bug Soother line includes bug repellent, bite soother and outdoor candles. Products are found across 10,000 retail locations nationwide with growing distribution internationally, including the UK, Europe, Central America, Grand Cayman and Scandinavia.

“I know it’s a cliché in press releases like this to say ‘The two companies complement each other well.’ But, in this case, it really is incredibly true. We’ve been soothing lips for years, especially in the fall and winter. Now, we can soothe the whole body all year-round,” said Eco Lips Founder and CEO Steve Shriver. 

“We are very excited to announce the acquisition of Simply Soothing by another Iowa company, Eco Lips. This partnership will help accelerate the growth of Bug Soother, a natural bug repellent recognized and loved by so many families across the US,” said Simply Soothing CEO Freda Sojka. “We are really excited to work with Steve and the team at Eco Lips. Steve will continue to expand the Bug Soother brand to provide our same safe, natural, effective product that families in the Midwest and even around the world have come to know and trust for their families.”

“Eco Lips is perfectly poised to service Simply Soothing’s existing customer base while, at the same time, adding distribution,” Shriver added. “I’ve always had so much respect for Freda and her products. The entire Eco Lips team is honored and excited to carry the Bug Soother brand forward!”

In addition to its original organic lip balm, Eco Lips company offers private label and contracting manufacturing services.

Terms of the accord were not available at press time.