Gently Soap Update | Shark Tank Season 15

Kristen Dunning had eczema growing up, but the prescription creams never really helped. What did help was her grandmother’s herbal remedies, so she used that idea to create Gently Soap, plant-based soaps made for people with sensitive skin. Will the sharks offer her a deal? Find out in our Gently Soap update and pitch recap.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to Gently Soap after Shark Tank.

Kristen entered Shark Tank Season 15, seeking $75,000 for 10% equity in her natural soap line. After her pitch, she landed a deal with guest shark Candace Nelson for $75,000 for 25% equity.

In terms of a Gently Soap update, the company expanded its product line to include four essential-oil-free bar soaps, all FDA-approved and certified by the National Eczema Association. Further, Kristen also secured distribution through Thirteen Lune and BLK + GRN.

Shark:	Result:
Candace Nelson	Accepted offer of $75,000 for 25% equity
Kevin O’Leary	$75,000 for 10% equity, plus a $1 royalty per bar sold. When he makes back $500,000, the royalty drops to $.20 per bar sold.
Daymond John	No Offer
Mark Cuban	No Offer
Lori Greiner	No Offer

Shark Tank Gently Soap Pitch

• Entrepreneur: Kristen Dunning
• Business: Gentle, all-natural, soap products for sensitive skin
• Ask: $75,000 for 10% equity
• Result: $75,000 for 25% equity
• Shark: Candace Nelson

Kristen entered Shark Tank to pitch Gently Soap, a plant-based soap brand designed for people with sensitive skin.

She explained that, although many soaps claim to be “natural,” they often still contain essential oils or synthetic fragrances, which can trigger irritation.

Gently Soap takes a different approach. Kristen uses real botanicals to create a gentle scent without causing skin reactions.

Next, she handed out samples to the sharks, and they responded positively, especially guest shark Candace Nelson, who really liked the fragrances.

Kristen then shared that she launched Gently Soap in February 2021.

At the time of filming, she had made $113,000 in total sales. From the previous year, she earned $66,000 in revenue and profited $38,000.

Kristen sells the soaps online and was preparing to launch on Amazon. Each bar costs $2.38 to produce and retails for $11.

She also offers a box of four bars for $40. She highlighted that 78% of her orders come from repeat customers.

Moreover, she emphasized that 71% of Americans now have sensitive skin, a figure that’s grown 55% over the last two decades.

Kristen used this data to show why Gently Soap fills a growing need in the skincare market.

However, Lori Greiner liked the product but stepped out, citing a conflict with a competing brand she already supports.

Mark Cuban also passed, saying he didn’t connect with the skincare space. Daymond John echoed that, saying he had no personal experience with sensitive skin.

Kevin O’Leary made the first offer of $75,000 for 10% equity, with a $1 royalty on every bar sold. Once he made back $500,000, the royalty would drop to $0.20 per bar in perpetuity.

Candace made a different offer: $75,000 for 30% equity with no royalty. She also offered to connect Kristen to Thirteen Lune, a beauty retailer.

In response, Kristen countered with 15% equity. Candace declined. Kristen then moved to 20%, and finally to 25%. Candace accepted the final offer.

In the end, Kristen walked out with a deal from the Sprinkles Cupcakes founder.

Keep reading our Gently Soap update to find out what happens following the show!

Shark Tank Gently Soap Update

Our Gently Soap update found that the deal with Candace successfully closed.

Within days of the episode airing, Gently Soap sold out of its inventory on its website. They quickly restocked, and orders kept rolling in.

Since Shark Tank, Kristen has continued expanding the product line, which now includes four essential-oil-free bar soaps.

All items are FDA-approved and National Eczema Association–certified.

Gently Soap has been featured on Good Morning America, Oprah’s Favorite Things 2024, People, ELLE, and Beauty Independent.

Moreover, our Gently Soap update found that products are now being carried by online vendors like Thirteen Lune (as promised by Candace) and BLK + GRN.

On top of that, Kristen also secured several grants and awards, including from Aveeno, Pharrell’s Black Ambition, and Techstars New Orleans.

Her soaps are also available on the Gently Soap website.

If we get any more news for our Gently Soap update, we’ll be sure to let you know!

In the meantime, check our other company updates from Shark Tank Season 15, Episode 1:

• Gatsby Chocolate Update
• PIE Wine Update
• See Worthy Update

Before you go, be sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 15 products.