Who Owns Estée Lauder?
Estée Lauder is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL), a publicly traded American multinational beauty company founded in 1946 and headquartered in New York. In fiscal year 2025 (ended June 30, 2025), The Estée Lauder Companies reported net sales decreased 8%, impacted by weakness in mainland China and Asia travel retail. New CEO Stéphane de La Faverie, who took over in January 2025, affirmed a fiscal 2026 outlook to restore positive sales growth and improve operating profitability.
Parent Company
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
Founded
1946
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
New York, USA
Who Owns Estée Lauder?
- Parent Company: The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: EL
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Estée Lauder | The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. | Wholly owned |
History of Estée Lauder
- Founded: 1946
- Founders: Estée Lauder, Joseph Lauder
Estée Lauder was founded in 1946 by Estée Lauder and her husband Joseph Lauder. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for luxury beauty solutions while establishing a distinctive approach that would define the cosmetics category for generations. The brand launched with four skincare products developed by Estée Lauder, which she sold initially at department stores in New York City. This strategic positioning demonstrated Estée Lauder's exceptional ability to create differentiated beauty solutions while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades.
The brand gained recognition through innovative marketing strategies, including the "gift with purchase" concept that revolutionized cosmetics retailing. This period of excellence demonstrated Estée Lauder's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards across multiple beauty segments. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Estée Lauder expanded its product lines and entered international markets. This strategic diversification demonstrated Estée Lauder's exceptional ability to serve multiple consumer segments while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership in the cosmetics industry.
Estée Lauder became known for its luxury positioning, scientific approach to skincare, and emphasis on anti-aging products. This continued evolution demonstrated Estée Lauder's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing beauty requirements and technological advancements. The brand's Advanced Night Repair serum, launched in 1982, became one of the most iconic skincare products globally. This continued excellence demonstrates Estée Lauder's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing beauty dynamics and consumer preferences.
The brand has maintained its prestige positioning while expanding globally, becoming one of the world's most recognized luxury beauty brands with a presence in department stores and specialty retailers worldwide. This continued excellence demonstrated Estée Lauder's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing beauty dynamics and regulatory requirements. The brand's continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of cosmetics and consumer-focused beauty solutions.
About The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
Who owns The Estée Lauder Companies?
The Estée Lauder Companies is publicly traded on the NYSE under EL, but the Lauder family retains majority voting control through Class B shares, which carry ten votes per share. William P. Lauder, grandson of founders Estee and Joseph Lauder, serves as Executive Chairman.
Is Estee Lauder publicly traded?
Yes. The Estée Lauder Companies trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol EL. The company went public in 1995 while the Lauder family retained majority voting control.
What brands does Estee Lauder own?
The Estée Lauder Companies owns Estee Lauder, Clinique, MAC, La Mer, Jo Malone London, Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Origins, Tom Ford Beauty, Bumble and bumble, Le Labo, Too Faced, Smashbox, and other prestige beauty brands.
What is the "Beauty Reimagined" strategy?
"Beauty Reimagined" is the strategic plan launched by CEO Stéphane de La Faverie in fiscal 2025 to return The Estée Lauder Companies to positive sales growth and improved operating profitability in fiscal 2026, following two years of revenue declines driven primarily by China travel retail weakness.
Why did Estee Lauder's sales decline?
The primary driver of Estee Lauder's sales decline from 2023 onward was weakness in China travel retail, where Chinese consumers significantly reduced duty-free beauty purchases. The company also faced broader prestige beauty market headwinds in key markets.
Who is Estee Lauder's CEO?
Stéphane de La Faverie became CEO of The Estée Lauder Companies in January 2025, succeeding Fabrizio Freda who had served as CEO since 2009.
- Founded: 1946
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: EL
Where Is Estée Lauder Made / Based?
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Belgium, Various international locations
Brands Owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
- Clinique - American dermatologist-developed skincare and cosmetics brand known for its alle...
- MAC Cosmetics - Professional makeup artistry brand known for its extensive color range, bold pig...
Estée Lauder Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Strong brand heritage and luxury positioning
- +Backed by The Estée Lauder Companies' global resources
- +Significant research and development capabilities
- +Strong distribution network in prestige retail channels
- +Iconic products with loyal customer base
Considerations
- -Competition from other luxury beauty brands and conglomerates
- -Premium pricing sensitivity in economic downturns
- -Dependency on department store retail channels
- -Need for continuous innovation in anti-aging technology
- -Changing consumer preferences toward clean beauty
Frequently Asked Questions About Estée Lauder
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Estée Lauder
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procter Gamble | USA | 1952 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Lvmh | France | 1969 | Mass Market | Europe | All Genders | |
| Ulta Beauty Inc | USA | 1990 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Kenvue | USA | 1945 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Lvmh | United States | 1976 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Johnson Johnson | USA | 1993 | Mass Market | North America | Male |
Learn More About Competitors

Olay
Owned by Procter & Gamble
American skincare brand known for its moisturizers, anti-aging products, and innovative beauty formulations.

Sephora
Owned by LVMH
Prestige beauty retailer and cosmetics brand owned by LVMH.

Ultra Beauty
Owned by Ulta Beauty, Inc.
American beauty and cosmetics retailer offering a wide selection of makeup, skincare, and beauty products.

Aveeno
Owned by Kenvue
American brand of skincare and hair care products specializing in natural ingredients and colloidal oatmeal formulations.

Benefit Cosmetics
Owned by LVMH
American beauty brand known for playful makeup products and eyebrow expertise, owned by LVMH.

Clean & Clear
Owned by Johnson & Johnson
American brand of acne treatment and skincare products specializing in oil-control and blemish-fighting formulations for teenagers and young adults.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Estée Lauder competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Stock Information
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