From $15 Billion to $1.4 Billion: Olaplex Finds a Home at Henkel
Olaplex IPO’d near $15 billion in 2021 and sold for $1.4 billion. Henkel now owns it.
TL;DR — Henkel closed its $1.4 billion takeover of Olaplex, cashing out public shareholders at $2.06 a share and delisting the brand from Nasdaq — a deal that makes Henkel the global No. 2 in professional hair care, five years after Olaplex IPO’d above $15 billion.
On July 7, 2026, the salon disruptor that once flirted with a $15 billion valuation quietly became part of a German consumer giant.
The close
Henkel completed its takeover of Olaplex, valuing the premium hair-care brand at $1.4 billion and cashing out public shareholders at $2.06 per share. Olaplex (OLPX) ceased trading on the Nasdaq and is moving to deregistration. Olaplex posted roughly €370 million in FY2025 sales. The deal makes Henkel the global No. 2 in professional/salon hair care.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Deal value | $1.4B |
| Per share | $2.06 cash |
| Olaplex FY2025 sales | ~€370M |
| Result | Henkel = global No. 2 in salon hair |
For context: Olaplex went public in 2021 at a valuation above $15 billion.
What they said
"The successful closing of the OLAPLEX acquisition marks an important milestone in the execution of our purposeful growth agenda." — Carsten Knobel, CEO, Henkel
Consumer Brands EVP Wolfgang König added that it makes Henkel "the global number two in hair professional."
Why it matters
- A steep fall. From a 2021 IPO above $15 billion to a $1.4 billion sale in five years.
- Scale absorbs disruption. A mass-market giant (Schwarzkopf, Persil) takes over a premium salon challenger.
- Closing on L’Oréal. Henkel narrows the gap with the category leader in professional hair.
FAQ
How much did Henkel pay for Olaplex?
$1.4 billion, cashing out public shareholders at $2.06 per share. The acquisition closed July 7, 2026, and Olaplex (OLPX) ceased trading on the Nasdaq.
Why is the Olaplex sale notable?
Olaplex went public in 2021 at a valuation above $15 billion and sold five years later for $1.4 billion. The deal also makes Henkel the global No. 2 in professional/salon hair care.
Sources
- Henkel — successfully closes acquisition of Olaplex
- StockTitan — Olaplex Holdings 8-K material event
Image: Henkel site, Düsseldorf by Noebse — Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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