Who Owns Olaplex?

Olaplex was founded in 2014 in Santa Barbara, California, by entrepreneur Dean Christal and research chemists Dr. Eric Pressly and Dr. Craig Hawker. The team developed a patented compound called bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate (BAPDDM), which claims to repair broken disulfide bonds in hair caused by chemical treatments including bleaching, coloring, and perming. The technology was a genuine innovation in hair chemistry, as previous products could only coat or condition hair rather than reconnect broken molecular bonds.

The brand launched through professional salon channels. Celebrity colorist Guy Tang was among the first prominent adopters, and his social media coverage helped drive awareness among professional colorists. The product gained a reputation as a real technical advance in chemical service protection, building credibility within the professional community before any retail expansion.

Olaplex's professional system consists of No. 1 Bond Multiplier (used during chemical services) and No. 2 Bond Perfector (applied after rinsing). These products are sold exclusively to licensed professionals and salons. The brand later expanded into consumer retail with No. 3 Hair Perfector, an at-home treatment that became the brand's best-known product.

In 2017, Advent International acquired a majority stake in Olaplex, accelerating the brand's retail expansion. The company developed a full at-home product line numbered No. 3 through No. 9, covering treatments, shampoos, conditioners, and styling products. This retail expansion brought Olaplex into Sephora, Ulta Beauty, and other specialty beauty retailers globally.

Olaplex went public on NASDAQ in September 2021 at $21 per share. The IPO valued the company at approximately $14.6 billion, making it one of the most successful beauty brand listings in history. The stock traded above $30 in the months following the IPO.

In 2022 and 2023, the brand faced a significant legal and reputational challenge. A class action lawsuit alleged that Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector caused hair loss and scalp damage. Olaplex denied the allegations. The controversy spread on social media, with viral posts claiming the product caused breakage and shedding. The brand's revenue declined, and the stock fell from its IPO-era highs to under $2 per share. Olaplex initiated marketing campaigns to rebuild consumer trust and refocused on professional channel relationships.

By 2024 and 2025, Olaplex had stabilized revenues. Net sales for fiscal year 2025 were $423.0 million, up 0.1% from $422.7 million in 2024. The company reported a net loss of $9.3 million for 2025, compared to net income of $19.5 million in 2024. Adjusted EBITDA was $93.9 million with a margin of 22.2%. The company guided 2026 net sales to a range of $414 million to $435 million.

On March 26, 2026, Henkel AG announced the acquisition agreement at $2.06 per share. The deal closed on July 7, 2026, and Olaplex was delisted from NASDAQ. The acquisition price represented a fraction of the IPO valuation but a premium to the prevailing share price in the months before the announcement.