The Outset, the skincare brand Scarlett Johansson co-founded with Kate Foster Lengyel in 2022, is closing, the brand announced on 28 September 2026. "After an incredible journey, The Outset has made the decision to wind down operations," the message on theoutset.com reads. "We're so grateful to everyone who welcomed us into their routines and supported us along the way." Online shopping at theoutset.com has ended, but existing orders will still be processed as usual. No reason has been given publicly.
When Did The Outset Skincare Launch?
No exact launch day was given. The Outset was introduced to press in late February 2022 and launched on theoutset.com in March 2022, with Sephora entry planned for April. Goop and Nordstrom later stocked it too. The closure was announced nearly four years and seven months later, on Monday 28 September 2026.
Price
- US: $32–$54 for the five launch products (2022 prices).
- UK: Not yet confirmed.
- Europe: Not yet confirmed.
The range later grew to roughly 14 products, adding more cleansers, moisturisers, serums, masks, oils and lip products. The Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum was the brand's number-one bestseller up to the closure. Collagen-positioned skincare is still launching: UK skincare expert Caroline Hirons released Caroline Hirons The Collagen Support Kit on 30 September 2026, two days after The Outset's announcement.
Where to Buy
- US: Online shopping at theoutset.com has ended, though existing orders are still being fulfilled. NewBeauty reports the brand is still listed at some retailers, but no product pages are confirmed.
- UK: Not yet confirmed.
- Europe: Not yet confirmed.
- Other markets: Not yet confirmed.
What Makes The Outset Different?
- Positioning: the brand called its products the "classic white T of skincare", simple staples designed to pair with other brands.
- Signature ingredient: every product contained Hyaluroset complex, which the brand described as a botanical alternative to hyaluronic acid.
- Founder approach: Johansson kept her own name off the brand and has no personal Instagram account, so the line could stand on its own.
Formula and Packaging Details
According to the brand, its three-step Daily Essential Regimen (cleanse, prep, moisturise) mirrored Johansson's own routine, and Hyaluroset complex hydrates, plumps and smooths. The brand said its products were clinically and allergy tested, dermatologist-tested, vegan, fragrance-free, and free of gluten and nut allergens, and that it excluded 2,700 potentially harmful ingredients. Regimen products were refillable, and packaging used glass, bio-resin and post-consumer recycled materials. The brand also pledged 1% of annual sales to environmental nonprofits.
How The Outset Started
Johansson was an ambassador for other beauty brands before saying she was "done representing other people's ideal beauty standards." She had acne-prone "problem skin" through her 20s, so she chose skincare over colour or fragrance, and she developed the idea for about five years. Just before the pandemic she met Kate Foster Lengyel, a beauty veteran from Victoria's Secret and Juicy Couture, who became co-founder and CEO. Foster Lengyel chose the name to signal new beginnings. The brand was funded by The Najafi Companies.
Before the Closure
In January 2026, Forbes reported that Johansson was still focused on the brand nearly four years in and was teasing new launches. That same month, The Outset added the Total Clarity Dark Spot Serum. In the weeks before the announcement, it ran an end-of-summer sale with markdowns of up to 50%.
Leadership Changes and Market Context
According to Business of Fashion, Foster Lengyel stepped down in April 2025. Former Allies of Skin president Karen Raghavan then served as fractional chief executive on a contract basis from May to August 2026.
In 2023 Johansson called skincare "a very saturated market." The Outset launched during a wave of celebrity brands that included Rare Beauty, JLo Beauty, LolaVie and r.e.m. beauty. Its closure follows other celebrity beauty exits: in February, Gwen Stefani's GXVE Beauty stopped being sold at Sephora after its online store had shut. For current launches, see our skincare releases page.
If You Use The Outset Products
- Existing orders should still be processed and fulfilled.
- Remaining stock at third-party retailers is not confirmed, so check before assuming a product is available.
- Alternatives: look for fragrance-free formulas made for sensitive skin with similar key ingredients, such as squalane, niacinamide or vitamin C. Patch-test anything new before adding it to your routine.
Sources
- The Outset's closure announcement on theoutset.com (28 September 2026)
- Business of Fashion, on Kate Foster Lengyel's departure (April 2025), as cited by People and Us Weekly
- People: "Scarlett Johansson's Skincare Brand The Outset Shutters After 4 Years"
- NewBeauty: "Scarlett Johansson's Skin-Care Brand The Outset Is Closing"
- Us Weekly: "Scarlett Johansson's Skincare Brand The Outset Shuts Down"