La Lumiere

About La Lumiere

La Lumiere, LLC operated as a skincare device company, entering the at-home beauty treatment market with its flagship product, the illuMask. The company was founded in 2013 by Jay Tapper, a serial entrepreneur with a background in creating mass-market consumer products like the Spinbrush and Stretch Armstrong. This experience in developing and marketing accessible consumer goods was directly applied to La Lumiere's strategy.

The business centered on making phototherapy, a light-based skin treatment previously confined to dermatologists' offices, affordable and convenient for home use. The company's primary products were the illuMask™ Anti-Aging Phototherapy Mask and the illuMask™ Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask. The anti-aging version utilized red and infrared LED lights to stimulate collagen and elastin production, aiming to reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve skin tone. The anti-acne model employed a combination of blue light to kill acne-causing bacteria and red light to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Both masks were FDA cleared for their respective indications.

La Lumiere's business model was based on selling the masks at a low price point, around $30, directly to consumers through major mass-market retailers like Walmart, Target, and Ulta. Each device was designed for a finite number of uses—typically 30 daily sessions of 15 minutes each—after which a controller would render the mask inoperable, necessitating the purchase of a new one. This disposable model aimed to create a recurring revenue stream. The company targeted individuals seeking accessible solutions for mild to moderate acne and signs of aging.

The company achieved significant milestones, launching its products in February 2014 and generating approximately $10 million in sales within the first year. This initial success attracted institutional investors. In November 2014, La Lumiere secured a $20 million Series B financing round that included Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (JJDC) and SWaN & Legend Venture Partners. This funding was intended to expand marketing, distribution, and research and development. Ultimately, in November 2015, Johnson & Johnson acquired all of La Lumiere's assets, and the company was subsequently liquidated. Following the acquisition, the technology was integrated and relaunched under the Neutrogena brand.