PARIS – L’Oréal is digging deeper into luxury skin care, taking a majority stake in Medik8.

The news, announced Monday morning, confirms a WWD report on May 9 that L’Oréal had emerged as the front-runner to acquire the U.K.-based skin care brand. 

As part of the deal, Inflexion, a European mid-market private equity firm, is to remain a minority shareholder. Medik8’s founder Eliot Isaacs will continue serving on its board, and the management committee will remain as well.

L’Oréal also has the rights to buy out the minority shareholders in full. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“This acquisition further strengthens L’Oréal’s Luxe portfolio, adding a premium, science-backed skincare brand with a proven track record of success, with strong potential for global growth,” the group said in a statement released Monday.

Cyril Chapuy, president of L’Oréal Luxe, said that “as a premium skincare range, with high levels of proven efficacy at an accessible price point, Medik8 perfectly complements our existing skincare portfolio.”

He added: “We share a strong belief in Medik8’s global potential, and are excited to embark on this journey together, to build a powerful and impactful brand presence worldwide.”

Simon Coble, chief executive officer of Medik8, said the brand was “joining forces with a company which shares our vision for future growth and whose core values align with our deep commitment to science, innovation and, above all, results without compromise. I look forward to the next stage in Medik8’s journey, as we work together to bring our innovative products to a wider audience.”

WWD had been told there were numerous suitors wooing Medik8, which is in luxury skin care, a hot beauty category.

At the beginning of the year, WWD reported that Medik8 was exploring deal options.

In a WWD article published on Jan. 27, Coble said: “It’s natural that we are starting to think about our future and also about future growth investments. We have no specific plans or timeline in place. The business is very well invested in today, is extremely profitable and there is no urgency on our part.”

In 2025, the brand’s global revenues are expected to hit around $115 million, while its sales in 2024 were up 50 percent.

Medik8’s hero product is its Crystal Retinal serum, and the brand is also know for its proprietary CSA Philosophy, a system using Vitamin C and sunscreen in the day, followed by Vitamin A by night.

In January, Medik8 unveiled its new Liquid Peptides Advanced MP serum. Medik8’s peptide products have become a growth engine for it in the U.S. market, which the brand entered in 2023. The brand’s Crystal Retinal Serum was included in WWD Beauty Inc’s 100 Greatest Skin Care Products of All Time.

Medik8 was founded in 2009 by Isaacs. Today, the company has more than 300 employees and sells its products in over 7,000 clinics.

“Still true to its professional origins, the brand has also evolved towards a diversified omnichannel sales mix across the most prominent online and offline retailersin Europe, with a growing presence in the US.,” L’Oréal said in the statement.