Charles Sternberg, Associate Editor01.04.23
Despite challenges ranging from the lingering pandemic to soaring inflation and supply chain woes, the beauty industry experienced some recovery in 2022 as brick-and-mortar and travel retail stores reopened, mask mandates were lifted, salons were back in business and pent-up demand for items including makeup and lipstick, triggered an uptick in consumers’ cosmetic spending.
This year, companies adopted new strategies and initiatives to meet the challenges of a constantly evolving world. As a result, 2022 was marked by a number of beauty deals and acquisitions—big and small. From major global beauty companies like Unilever and L’Oréal to indies and suppliers, companies snatched up haircare, skincare, fragrance and makeup brands with plans for global expansion and further penetration of new and exciting markets.
Related: Revisit last year’s biggest beauty industry deals & acquisitions.
Beauty Packaging has compiled a list of the most important sales and purchases from the past year to keep you informed and up-to-date.
Here are the biggest beauty deals and acquisitions of 2022:
Beiersdorf Agrees to Acquire Prestige Beauty Company Chantecaille
(January 3) Beiersdorf AG entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Chantecaille Beaute Inc., USA, a prestige beauty company.
Depending on the future development of the Chantecaille business, the enterprise value is between $590 million and $690 million. The company will continue to be managed separately as a complementary selective brand in the Beiersdorf Group next to La Prairie.
Founded by Sylvie Chantecaille in 1997, Chantecaille offers innovative skin care, fragrance and cosmetics products based on botanical ingredients combining efficacious formulas with a strong focus on sustainability and philanthropy. The company is headquartered in New York with global presence and a particular strength in North America and Asia.
Henkel Merges Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care Segments into One Business Unit
(February 1) Henkel is merging its Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care business units into one business unit: Henkel Consumer Brands.
With the new business unit, Henkel will build one multi-category platform for growth, combining its consumer brands and businesses under one roof, including brands such as Persil and Schwarzkopf, also comprising the hair professional business.
The merger is designed to drive growth and profitability for the consumer business and the company.
Ilia Beauty Acquired by Famille C Venture
(February 2) Famille C Venture, a French investment firm founded by Prisca Courtin-Clarins under the umbrella of Famille C, the Courtin-Clarins family holding company, agreed to acquire clean makeup brand Ilia Beauty.
The idea is that the deal will give the holding company a leader in the burgeoning clean beauty category, which is expected to register significant growth in coming years.
Entrepreneur Lisa Barlow Sells Beauty Brand N+B to Channel Op.
(February 4) Entrepreneur Lisa Barlow, co-founder of body and beauty line N+B, sold N+B for an undisclosed amount to Channel Op.
The sale of the company includes over 20 products, including luxury shampoos, frizz fighting and styling products and more.
Revolution Beauty Group Acquires Assets and Inventory from BH Cosmetics
(February 25) Revolution Beauty Group plc, a multi-brand, multi-category, and multi-channel mass beauty innovator, acquired intellectual property assets and inventory from BH Cosmetics Holdings LLC for a consideration of $3.9 million.
Revolution Beauty will consolidate BH Cosmetics into the wider group's operations, leveraging synergies across existing product development, supply and distribution. Revolution intends to re-energize the BH brand with new products and utilize both Revolution Beauty and BH's relationships in the U.S., UK and internationally.
LG H&H Acquires Majority Stake in The Crème Shop
(March 21) LG H&H, an affiliate of LG Group, acquired a majority stake in Los Angeles-based beauty brand The Crème Shop.
The Crème Shop is known for its whimsical and vibrant skincare, makeup and beauty accessories that appeal to a diverse group of consumers and possess a strong following among Gen Z and Millennials.
By claiming a majority stake in The Crème Shop, LG H&H plans to further expand in the beauty and personal care industry and solidify its presence in the North American market while growing The Crème Shop into a global brand.
ShawKwei & Partners Acquires Rauxel
(March 27) ShawKwei & Partners acquired Rauxel Pty Ltd, an Australian beauty and healthcare company.
Rauxel will be merged into ShawKwei’s existing portfolio company Icons Beauty Group.
Puig Acquires a Majority Stake in Byredo
(May 31) Puig acquired a majority stake in Byredo—a niche luxury fragrance brand known for its minimalist look and gender-neutral scents.
Puig stated that the acquisition will strengthen its premium fragrance portfolio and reinforce its high-end positioning as Byredo joins its "House of Love" brands. The company also said that Byredo is redefining luxury with its direct-to-consumer approach.
Unilever Acquires Majority Stake in Nutrafol
(May 31) Unilever signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Nutrafol, a provider of hair wellness products.
Unlike traditional hair growth products that focus on a singular cause, Nutrafol takes an individualized whole-body approach that leverages its patented Synergen Complex—a blend of medical-grade nutraceutical ingredients that target multiple root causes affecting hair health including hormones, stress, lifestyle, metabolism, nutrition and aging.
Nutrafol, backed by consumer-focused private equity firm L Catterton, will continue to be based in New York and led by CEO Giorgos Tsetis. Nutrafol will operate as part of Unilever’s Health & Wellbeing unit, which includes brands like OLLY, Liquid I.V. and Onnit.
Luxury Brands Acquires Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics and Skin Care
(June 3) Michael Dodo of Luxury Brands LLC acquired Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics and Youngblood Skin Care.
The partnership will maintain the integrity, high standards, and core values which Youngblood is known for by continuing to utilize high-grade natural ingredients and the brand's established proprietary milling process.
Merging with Luxury Brands LLC. will provide Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics the resources to accelerate new product development, digital marketing strategies, advertising and both B2B and Direct-to-consumer sales support.
Amorepacific Acquires Luxury Skincare Brand Tata Harper
(September 1) Amorepacific entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Tata's Natural Alchemy, LLC (Tata Harper), a natural luxury skincare brand, in a move that further signals the company's intention to continue its penetration of global markets.
By diversifying its distribution channels, Amorepacific will expand its business to the Americas and Europe, while realigning strategies to further broaden its presence in Asian markets. Amorepacific will continue to promote flagship product categories through intensive marketing activities, while simultaneously boosting product competitiveness through joint research and expanding new categories. Amorepacific will also enhance the profitability of Tata Harper by leveraging its scale and streamlining a variety of internal processes.
L’Oréal Acquires Physician-Dispensed Brand Skinbetter Science
(September 23) L’Oréal signed an agreement to acquire Skinbetter Science, a physician-dispensed American skincare brand backed by dermatological science.
Headquartered in Arizona, the brand’s leadership team will continue to run the business following the acquisition and will be integrated under the leadership of Christina Fair, president of the Active Cosmetics Division within L’Oréal USA.
Shiseido Acquires Skin Microbiome-Focused Brand Gallinée
(September 28) Shiseido Europe S.A., a subsidiary of Shiseido Company, Limited, agreed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Gallinée Ltd, a London-based beauty brand dedicated to caring for the skin’s microbiome from head-to-toe.
Gallinée will deliver a complementary yet unique addition to Shiseido’s existing portfolio given its focus on beauty and wellness as well as its differentiated positioning within the emerging field of skin microbiome. As part of Shiseido group, Gallinée will be able to leverage resources across Shiseido’s commercial infrastructure, extensive R&D capabilities especially from its European Innovation Center to lead the development of the skin microbiome within the EMEA territory, and cross-functional expertise to continue to drive brand growth.
Following the transaction, Marie Drago, PharmD will join Shiseido’s EMEA team and continue to deliver product innovation and support Gallinée as the chief creative officer of the brand, reporting directly to Franck Marilly, president ＆ CEO, Shiseido EMEA ＆ Global Fragrance.
The Estée Lauder Companies Reaches Agreement to Acquire Tom Ford
(November 16) After many weeks of speculation and talks, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. signed an agreement to acquire the Tom Ford brand. The deal establishes ELC, which was already a longstanding partner of the brand, as the sole owner of the Tom Ford brand and all its intellectual property.
The deal values the total enterprise at $2.8 billion. Under the agreement, Tom Ford, founder and CEO of Tom Ford International, will continue to serve as the brand’s creative visionary after closing and through the end of calendar 2023. Domenico De Sole, chairman of Tom Ford International, will stay on as a consultant until that same time.
Lush Cosmetics Sells 19.8% Stake to New Investor
(December 15) Silverwood Brands plc, an enterprise company, acquired a 19.8% stake in UK cosmetics retailer Lush, which operates retail outlets in 48 countries and has manufacturing facilities in six nations.
The deal covers both Lush’s operating company LCL and CWL, which owns the rights to the brand and controls research and development.
Beiersdorf Acquires Majority Stake in S-Biomedic
(December 16) Beiersdorf AG acquired a majority stake in S-Biomedic NV, Belgium, a life-science company and frontrunner in the field of skin microbiome research.
Beiersdorf already invested in S-Biomedic in 2018 as part of its corporate venture capital activities. Following years of successful cooperation, the collaboration will now become even closer. S-Biomedic will continue to be managed as a standalone entity under Beiersdorf’s existing microbiome program and will complement the company’s own research activities in this field.
Interparfums and Lacoste Sign Worldwide Exclusive 15-Year Fragrance License Agreement
(December 22) Interparfums SA, a subsidiary of Inter Parfums Inc., and Lacoste signed a worldwide exclusive 15-year fragrance license agreement effective January 1, 2024.
Under this agreement, including an entrance fee of $95.5 million, Interparfums will be responsible for the creation, development, production and marketing of all perfume and cosmetics lines under the Lacoste brand, in selective distribution as well as in the Lacoste boutique network.
The launch of the first new perfume line is scheduled for 2024.
Carlyle Acquires HCP Packaging
(May 26) Carlyle, a global investment firm, agreed to acquire a 100% stake in HCP Packaging—from Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA).
HCP is a global leader in the design, development, and manufacture of cosmetic packaging—and Carlyle said it plans to help support the company as it scales its operations and grows.
Matteo Moretti Purchases the Entire Interest in Lumson Held by FSI SGR S.p.A.
(November 30) Through a family holding company, Matteo Moretti has purchased the entire interest in Lumson S.p.A. held by FSI SGR S.p.A. on behalf of the fund "FSI I."
Lumson is a leading company in Europe in the design, development, production and decoration of primary packaging systems for the cosmetic and makeup market.
The Moretti family's goal is to further accelerate Lumson's growth and consolidate its leadership position in the skincare segment of the primary packaging sector, continuing under the guidance of its chairman Matteo Moretti, the chief executive officer Antonio Recinella, and the current management team.
Berlin Packaging Acquires Milan-Based Premi S.p.A.
(December 12) Berlin Packaging acquired Premi S.p.A., a global packaging supplier that specializes in dynamic and innovative solutions for the beauty and cosmetic industries.
Headquartered in Milan, Italy, with over 150 employees throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia, Premi supplies a wide range of packaging products and services to leading cosmetic companies. With research and development centers on three continents, Premi helps its customers from initial conception to product launch and is a recognized leader in the beauty packaging industry.
This year, companies adopted new strategies and initiatives to meet the challenges of a constantly evolving world. As a result, 2022 was marked by a number of beauty deals and acquisitions—big and small. From major global beauty companies like Unilever and L’Oréal to indies and suppliers, companies snatched up haircare, skincare, fragrance and makeup brands with plans for global expansion and further penetration of new and exciting markets.
Related: Revisit last year’s biggest beauty industry deals & acquisitions.
Beauty Packaging has compiled a list of the most important sales and purchases from the past year to keep you informed and up-to-date.
Here are the biggest beauty deals and acquisitions of 2022:
Beiersdorf Agrees to Acquire Prestige Beauty Company Chantecaille
(January 3) Beiersdorf AG entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Chantecaille Beaute Inc., USA, a prestige beauty company.
Depending on the future development of the Chantecaille business, the enterprise value is between $590 million and $690 million. The company will continue to be managed separately as a complementary selective brand in the Beiersdorf Group next to La Prairie.
Founded by Sylvie Chantecaille in 1997, Chantecaille offers innovative skin care, fragrance and cosmetics products based on botanical ingredients combining efficacious formulas with a strong focus on sustainability and philanthropy. The company is headquartered in New York with global presence and a particular strength in North America and Asia.
Henkel Merges Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care Segments into One Business Unit
(February 1) Henkel is merging its Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care business units into one business unit: Henkel Consumer Brands.
With the new business unit, Henkel will build one multi-category platform for growth, combining its consumer brands and businesses under one roof, including brands such as Persil and Schwarzkopf, also comprising the hair professional business.
The merger is designed to drive growth and profitability for the consumer business and the company.
Ilia Beauty Acquired by Famille C Venture
(February 2) Famille C Venture, a French investment firm founded by Prisca Courtin-Clarins under the umbrella of Famille C, the Courtin-Clarins family holding company, agreed to acquire clean makeup brand Ilia Beauty.
The idea is that the deal will give the holding company a leader in the burgeoning clean beauty category, which is expected to register significant growth in coming years.
Entrepreneur Lisa Barlow Sells Beauty Brand N+B to Channel Op.
(February 4) Entrepreneur Lisa Barlow, co-founder of body and beauty line N+B, sold N+B for an undisclosed amount to Channel Op.
The sale of the company includes over 20 products, including luxury shampoos, frizz fighting and styling products and more.
Revolution Beauty Group Acquires Assets and Inventory from BH Cosmetics
(February 25) Revolution Beauty Group plc, a multi-brand, multi-category, and multi-channel mass beauty innovator, acquired intellectual property assets and inventory from BH Cosmetics Holdings LLC for a consideration of $3.9 million.
Revolution Beauty will consolidate BH Cosmetics into the wider group's operations, leveraging synergies across existing product development, supply and distribution. Revolution intends to re-energize the BH brand with new products and utilize both Revolution Beauty and BH's relationships in the U.S., UK and internationally.
LG H&H Acquires Majority Stake in The Crème Shop
(March 21) LG H&H, an affiliate of LG Group, acquired a majority stake in Los Angeles-based beauty brand The Crème Shop.
The Crème Shop is known for its whimsical and vibrant skincare, makeup and beauty accessories that appeal to a diverse group of consumers and possess a strong following among Gen Z and Millennials.
By claiming a majority stake in The Crème Shop, LG H&H plans to further expand in the beauty and personal care industry and solidify its presence in the North American market while growing The Crème Shop into a global brand.
ShawKwei & Partners Acquires Rauxel
(March 27) ShawKwei & Partners acquired Rauxel Pty Ltd, an Australian beauty and healthcare company.
Rauxel will be merged into ShawKwei’s existing portfolio company Icons Beauty Group.
Puig Acquires a Majority Stake in Byredo
(May 31) Puig acquired a majority stake in Byredo—a niche luxury fragrance brand known for its minimalist look and gender-neutral scents.
Puig stated that the acquisition will strengthen its premium fragrance portfolio and reinforce its high-end positioning as Byredo joins its "House of Love" brands. The company also said that Byredo is redefining luxury with its direct-to-consumer approach.
Unilever Acquires Majority Stake in Nutrafol
(May 31) Unilever signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Nutrafol, a provider of hair wellness products.
Unlike traditional hair growth products that focus on a singular cause, Nutrafol takes an individualized whole-body approach that leverages its patented Synergen Complex—a blend of medical-grade nutraceutical ingredients that target multiple root causes affecting hair health including hormones, stress, lifestyle, metabolism, nutrition and aging.
Nutrafol, backed by consumer-focused private equity firm L Catterton, will continue to be based in New York and led by CEO Giorgos Tsetis. Nutrafol will operate as part of Unilever’s Health & Wellbeing unit, which includes brands like OLLY, Liquid I.V. and Onnit.
Luxury Brands Acquires Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics and Skin Care
(June 3) Michael Dodo of Luxury Brands LLC acquired Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics and Youngblood Skin Care.
The partnership will maintain the integrity, high standards, and core values which Youngblood is known for by continuing to utilize high-grade natural ingredients and the brand's established proprietary milling process.
Merging with Luxury Brands LLC. will provide Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics the resources to accelerate new product development, digital marketing strategies, advertising and both B2B and Direct-to-consumer sales support.
Amorepacific Acquires Luxury Skincare Brand Tata Harper
(September 1) Amorepacific entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Tata's Natural Alchemy, LLC (Tata Harper), a natural luxury skincare brand, in a move that further signals the company's intention to continue its penetration of global markets.
By diversifying its distribution channels, Amorepacific will expand its business to the Americas and Europe, while realigning strategies to further broaden its presence in Asian markets. Amorepacific will continue to promote flagship product categories through intensive marketing activities, while simultaneously boosting product competitiveness through joint research and expanding new categories. Amorepacific will also enhance the profitability of Tata Harper by leveraging its scale and streamlining a variety of internal processes.
L’Oréal Acquires Physician-Dispensed Brand Skinbetter Science
(September 23) L’Oréal signed an agreement to acquire Skinbetter Science, a physician-dispensed American skincare brand backed by dermatological science.
Headquartered in Arizona, the brand’s leadership team will continue to run the business following the acquisition and will be integrated under the leadership of Christina Fair, president of the Active Cosmetics Division within L’Oréal USA.
Shiseido Acquires Skin Microbiome-Focused Brand Gallinée
(September 28) Shiseido Europe S.A., a subsidiary of Shiseido Company, Limited, agreed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Gallinée Ltd, a London-based beauty brand dedicated to caring for the skin’s microbiome from head-to-toe.
Gallinée will deliver a complementary yet unique addition to Shiseido’s existing portfolio given its focus on beauty and wellness as well as its differentiated positioning within the emerging field of skin microbiome. As part of Shiseido group, Gallinée will be able to leverage resources across Shiseido’s commercial infrastructure, extensive R&D capabilities especially from its European Innovation Center to lead the development of the skin microbiome within the EMEA territory, and cross-functional expertise to continue to drive brand growth.
Following the transaction, Marie Drago, PharmD will join Shiseido’s EMEA team and continue to deliver product innovation and support Gallinée as the chief creative officer of the brand, reporting directly to Franck Marilly, president ＆ CEO, Shiseido EMEA ＆ Global Fragrance.
The Estée Lauder Companies Reaches Agreement to Acquire Tom Ford
(November 16) After many weeks of speculation and talks, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. signed an agreement to acquire the Tom Ford brand. The deal establishes ELC, which was already a longstanding partner of the brand, as the sole owner of the Tom Ford brand and all its intellectual property.
The deal values the total enterprise at $2.8 billion. Under the agreement, Tom Ford, founder and CEO of Tom Ford International, will continue to serve as the brand’s creative visionary after closing and through the end of calendar 2023. Domenico De Sole, chairman of Tom Ford International, will stay on as a consultant until that same time.
Lush Cosmetics Sells 19.8% Stake to New Investor
(December 15) Silverwood Brands plc, an enterprise company, acquired a 19.8% stake in UK cosmetics retailer Lush, which operates retail outlets in 48 countries and has manufacturing facilities in six nations.
The deal covers both Lush’s operating company LCL and CWL, which owns the rights to the brand and controls research and development.
Beiersdorf Acquires Majority Stake in S-Biomedic
(December 16) Beiersdorf AG acquired a majority stake in S-Biomedic NV, Belgium, a life-science company and frontrunner in the field of skin microbiome research.
Beiersdorf already invested in S-Biomedic in 2018 as part of its corporate venture capital activities. Following years of successful cooperation, the collaboration will now become even closer. S-Biomedic will continue to be managed as a standalone entity under Beiersdorf’s existing microbiome program and will complement the company’s own research activities in this field.
Interparfums and Lacoste Sign Worldwide Exclusive 15-Year Fragrance License Agreement
(December 22) Interparfums SA, a subsidiary of Inter Parfums Inc., and Lacoste signed a worldwide exclusive 15-year fragrance license agreement effective January 1, 2024.
Under this agreement, including an entrance fee of $95.5 million, Interparfums will be responsible for the creation, development, production and marketing of all perfume and cosmetics lines under the Lacoste brand, in selective distribution as well as in the Lacoste boutique network.
The launch of the first new perfume line is scheduled for 2024.
Carlyle Acquires HCP Packaging
(May 26) Carlyle, a global investment firm, agreed to acquire a 100% stake in HCP Packaging—from Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA).
HCP is a global leader in the design, development, and manufacture of cosmetic packaging—and Carlyle said it plans to help support the company as it scales its operations and grows.
Matteo Moretti Purchases the Entire Interest in Lumson Held by FSI SGR S.p.A.
(November 30) Through a family holding company, Matteo Moretti has purchased the entire interest in Lumson S.p.A. held by FSI SGR S.p.A. on behalf of the fund "FSI I."
Lumson is a leading company in Europe in the design, development, production and decoration of primary packaging systems for the cosmetic and makeup market.
The Moretti family's goal is to further accelerate Lumson's growth and consolidate its leadership position in the skincare segment of the primary packaging sector, continuing under the guidance of its chairman Matteo Moretti, the chief executive officer Antonio Recinella, and the current management team.
Berlin Packaging Acquires Milan-Based Premi S.p.A.
(December 12) Berlin Packaging acquired Premi S.p.A., a global packaging supplier that specializes in dynamic and innovative solutions for the beauty and cosmetic industries.
Headquartered in Milan, Italy, with over 150 employees throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia, Premi supplies a wide range of packaging products and services to leading cosmetic companies. With research and development centers on three continents, Premi helps its customers from initial conception to product launch and is a recognized leader in the beauty packaging industry.
