British skincare brand Medik8 becomes part of L’Oréal’s growing empire in €1bn deal

WEB DESK: L’Oréal has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the British skincare brand Medik8, marking its latest move to strengthen its presence in the skincare industry amid the growing popularity of dermocosmetics. The French beauty giant confirmed the deal on Monday, with private equity firm Inflexion remaining a minority shareholder and continuing to hold its current management roles.

Although the exact purchase price was not disclosed, the Financial Times reported last week that the deal could be valued around €1 billion. Following the announcement, L’Oréal’s share price remained largely stable.

Cyril Chapuy, President of L’Oréal LUXE, expressed enthusiasm about welcoming Medik8 into the company, highlighting that the premium skincare brand offers high efficacy at accessible prices, which complements L’Oréal’s existing skincare lineup.

L’Oréal has been actively capitalizing on the surge in science-based skincare, partly fueled by social media influencers. Its “Dermatological Beauty Division,” which includes brands such as La Roche-Posay, Cerave, Vichy, Skinceuticals, and Skinbetter Science, generated over €7 billion in revenue in 2024—an almost 10% increase from the previous year, making it the fastest-growing segment within the company.

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In its efforts to diversify and expand, L’Oréal acquired soap brand Aesop in 2023 and Korean beauty brand Dr.G in December. Additionally, last year, it bought a 10% stake in skincare company Galderma and secured the beauty licensing rights for Miu Miu. At the time of the Galderma investment, L’Oréal emphasized its focus on a holistic approach to beauty routines, aiming to address skin ageing proactively.

Founded in 2009, Medik8 specializes in anti-ageing treatments and was previously acquired by UK-based private equity firm Inflexion in 2021.