In a bold beauty move blending science with luxury, cosmetics titan L’Oréal SA announced Monday it will acquire a majority stake in Medik8, a British premium skincare brand known for its vitamin A-powered anti-aging innovations. This acquisition, made from private equity firm Inflexion, signals L’Oréal’s strategic sprint to dominate the top tier of the skincare market.
A Scientific Crown Jewel for the Luxe Empire
The French beauty giant, traded on the Euronext Paris, called Medik8 a “premium, science-backed skincare brand” with a stellar global growth trajectory. As L’Oréal adds this feather to its Luxe division’s cap, it’s not just acquiring a brand—it’s bolting on a lab of proven efficacy and innovation.
Cyril Chapuy, president of L’Oréal Luxe, said Medik8 “perfectly complements” their skincare lineup, elevating the brand’s arsenal with advanced dermatological offerings that blend chemistry with luxury.
Deal Details and a Path to Full Control
While the financial terms remain under wraps, what is clear is that L’Oréal has secured more than a controlling interest—it has inked future rights to buy out remaining shareholders in full. For now, Inflexion will retain a minority stake, maintaining a tether to a brand it has helped push into global prominence.
L’Oréal was advised by Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, with in-house legal muscle led by general counsel Arnaud de Rochebrune and associate Guillaume Regnier. The A&O Shearman squad brought a high-powered legal ensemble, including M&A partners, tax experts, antitrust advisors, and incentive structuring strategists. It was a legal blitz worthy of the beauty battlefield.
