From a humble upbringing in Nibe, Denmark, to achieving international fame as the “world’s first celebrity facialist” in Los Angeles, Ole Henriksen’s journey is as luminous and transformative as the famous “Ole Glow” his skincare promises.
Having overcome cystic acne in his youth and later fighting for his right to live and work in the U.S. as a gay man, Ole built an empire rooted in self-love and radical authenticity.
Now, as his eponymous brand, known for its beloved Banana Bright Eye Crème, game-changing Truth Serum, and viral Pout Preserve Lip Treatment, continues to empower millions, Ole is more than just a beauty mogul. He’s a force of nature, a tireless advocate, and an eternal optimist with a zest for life that’s utterly contagious.
Join us as we talk with the legendary Ole Henriksen about everything from Hollywood stars and global charities to the secret to a lasting love and how he keeps that irrepressible sparkle alive.
From rubbing shoulders with royalty to revolutionizing the beauty industry, Ole shares the story of his extraordinary path—proof that true radiance begins within.
DH: Ole, it’s hard to believe you’ve been building your empire for decades, yet you radiate such youthful energy. What’s your secret?
Ole: [Laughs, a twinkle in his eye] My mother must’ve implanted a Duracell battery in me at birth! Seriously though, it’s about never closing doors and always staying curious. I’ll grow old shaking my booty! I started as a milk boy in Denmark at age 10, delivering heavy crates just to buy books about the world. When doors slammed in my face—and trust me, they did—I just kicked others open. That spirit is still with me. At 74, I still ride rollercoasters!
I exercise every day to Spotify here in the apartment in LA. I have rings from the ceiling and all my equipment. Music relaxes you, helps you express yourself, and keeps you youthful and energized. I even stepped into a singing studio many years ago in LA, and they said I have a soprano voice, which is interesting for a little man like me!
DH: You’ve had some truly remarkable clients, including actual royalty. How did you first meet Queen Mary of Denmark, and what’s it like treating royals compared to Hollywood’s elite?
Ole: There is a formality when you enter the palace. I’ve been to several of the palaces. You’re greeted by the secretary, then by the personal assistant to now Queen Mary. The first time, I remember she said, “Do you want a cup of coffee? I’m so eager to look beautiful for you.” She was pregnant with the Crown Prince at the time. We spent about an hour together, just she and I.
Later, when I was back, I was playing with the Crown Prince, who was lying on the carpet in the dining room, rolling around like a little boy. Now he’s a grown man! Now that she is Queen, there are more bodyguards and more protection, as there has to be.
I remember once hosting Copenhagen Fashion Week at City Hall, and she was the guest of honor. As she walked across a mirrored stage, her heel slipped, and the floor cracked! I caught her mid-fall, and she landed right in my arms. Terrifying, but she just laughed, stood up, and carried on. That’s her spirit.
With celebrities, it’s more relaxed. Sly Stallone would arrive in his big Mercedes limo, while Michael Landon took taxis. Another favorite is “Mr. Muscles,” Michael Swedish. I met him around 1989-1990 and noticed that he didn’t have perfect skin, including scar tissue. That was our job—to do the peeling treatments and medical-grade level peels.
But here’s the thing: everyone—royals, stars, nurses, bankers—received the exact same treatment. I’m fundamentally egalitarian; everyone deserves the best. Everyone always got the star treatment, whether they were a nurse, a secretary, or a banker. I never differentiated, because everyone in my book deserves the best.
DH: Speaking of celebrities, you’ve treated everyone from Naomi Campbell to David Bowie. Any standout stories that really capture the essence of working with them?
Ole: Oh, so many! Sly Stallone made me do push-ups during treatments! He’d say, “Strong hands make better facials!” I still do 300 push-ups daily—that’s his legacy!
Naomi Campbell sent Lawrence and me front-row tickets to her Milan shows after I balanced her sensitive skin. David Bowie? He’d sing during his treatments and even gave me this heavy silver bracelet. He was so humble, so brilliant—just chatting casually with my receptionist.
But one moment that truly stuck with me was when Laura Dern looked in the mirror right before the Oscars and exclaimed, “I’ve got the Ole Glow!” That “glow” isn’t just skin-deep—it’s about radiating joy and self-love. My philosophy is all about that: greet yourself in the mirror each morning with a smile, celebrate your life. I’ve seen clients with cystic acne transform not just their skin, but their entire outlook, when they started valuing themselves. My biopic’s working title, The Glowing Man, really captures that essence.
DH: Let’s talk about your skincare philosophy and the brand. You were a pioneer with Vitamin C, weren’t you?
Ole: I’m proud to say that our products were a pioneer, incorporating my message into skincare many decades ago. I learned about Vitamin C from Linus Pauling, who won the Nobel Prize twice for his research into a strong immune system. The benefit for the skin was really an offshoot.
A good client of mine at the spa said her father, who is also a chemist, knew Linus. She asked if I wanted to learn about Vitamin C, and she arranged for me to meet Linus Pauling. Can you imagine that day?
We became the first with the Truth Collection. The franchise is about living a truthful life, always aiming to be the best version of yourself. Truth is, of course, based on the powers of Vitamin C, where we incorporate all the stable forms that are clinically proven to improve elasticity and strength. We also have our Balance franchise and our Transform franchise, which is about age-defense at night, based on the powers of oxy acids, retinol, and many other actives.
We do all the clinicals. We go to outside labs with a wish list, and then you hope you get great results, but you can’t fake it. Banana Bright, our number one seller in the entire world, has been clinically proven to show a 40% improvement on deep lines under the eyes. I have lots of smiling lines, but considering I’m all natural, I like them.
DH: Your Pout Preserve Lip Treatment has become a viral sensation, especially with Gen Z. What’s that experience been like?
Ole: [Laughing joyfully] Surreal! Right now, one of the biggest global phenomena is the Pout Preserve Cyclical Treatment that we launched last year. It’s a lip treatment for dry, chapped lips that also adds plumpness and fullness. It became a phenomenon among young teenage girls around the globe.
Just last night at dinner, a young girl stood in front of me and said, “Excuse me, are you the guy with Pout Preserve?” I said my name is Ole, and I told her she was a beautiful girl. Teenage girls write me letters saying, “It’s the first time I love my lips!” Sometimes, I even write back!
We launched 16 Glimmer shades because they wanted more. The brand is now huge in the lip category, available in 40 countries around the world. It’s an honor—even if they don’t realize I could be their granddad! Product development takes three years, but I’m as passionate as ever. We unwind with vodka-tonics at Jon & Vinny’s, where teens sometimes spot me and react like I’m Bieber—all over the lip balm!
DH: The company has been part of LVMH for over a decade now. How has that partnership been?
Ole: The company has been part of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) for the last 14 years. To be part of the world’s biggest luxury group—when they knocked on the door and wanted to buy me, I was elated. They own 78 of the world’s biggest brands. They don’t interfere; they leave the brands to operate on their own. It’s all about elevating every brand and making the DNA of each brand bigger and better.
DH: Your “Truth” philosophy extends beyond skincare to living authentically. You famously faced deportation early in your career for being gay. Can you share that incredible story?
Ole: Oh, that was quite the ordeal! When I was 23 and applied for a green card as an aesthetician, the officer asked about my sexuality. I said, “I’m gay”—truth matters, hence my Truth Collection. He triumphantly read from a law book: “You’re a sexual deviant, a danger to society. The American Psychiatric Association backs this.” Then he said, “Pack your bags; you’re being deported.”
I stood up, looked him in the eye, and said, “You’ll never get rid of me. I’m a fighter.” With the help of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), I challenged that outrageous law. Psychiatrists questioned me for hours, then reversed their stance. That case actually helped change U.S. immigration policy!
When I grew up in Denmark, especially in the countryside among blue-collar workers, there was a saying that still hangs in the air a bit: Janteloven (Jante’s Law), which is basically, “Don’t think you are anything.” I said to myself, “We are all something; we all have something.”
When I grew up, we didn’t talk about feelings or emotions—none of that. You didn’t ever complain. Even the issues I dealt with as a teenager, where the boys loved to poke fun because I was gay—I never complained. I didn’t want to be a burden to my parents. Now, the world has changed for the better, and it’s so important to talk openly.
DH: You’ve been with your partner, Lawrence, for over 40 years. What’s the secret to making a relationship thrive in Hollywood’s chaotic environment?
Ole: There are so many aspects to my love affair with Lawrence. He and I have so much fun together; we are like two little playful kids. He’s eight years younger than me, and we laugh like kids every day. We joke around and laugh a lot. Lawrence is very funny; he’s the stand-up comedian here.
In a relationship, it’s about the respect we have for each other and knowing our strengths in the household. He does all the gorgeous flowers in our place, overlooking the Pacific Ocean from the 27th floor; I clean up after dinner parties. Yesterday, I did all the taxes for 2024 because that’s what I’m good at. Lawrence will host when we have people for dinner, creating the amazing food. I will do the cleaning of the dishes and stuff afterwards.
We are people that love life and our fellow human beings; we are kind and considerate to everyone. We travel adventurously and support family fiercely—like helping his sister in Phoenix after a health problem she had last year; we paid her rent without hesitation.
Never take your partner or your lover for granted. Look at them with fresh eyes every day. You can never take each other for granted—surprise with flowers or small gifts! Make room to spoil them; surprise them with flowers or a gift.
When I die, cremate me. Scatter my ashes with him somewhere beautiful. [Winks] Or make a body scrub out of them—a client’s husband once got vacuumed up by a maid who thought he was dust! It was morbidly hilarious.
DH: There’s going to be a movie about your life. Can you tell us about that?
Ole: The assistant to Niels, the producer who has produced the last three James Bond movies and the Ferrari movie with Adam Driver, is currently sending out press releases. There was an amazing amount of journalists present, and I thought it was so early for this to happen. The movie will go into movie theaters, and it will go into Netflix or Apple for screening.
My biopic’s working title is The Glowing Man, and it will be released in 2027. In the new movie about my life, a lot of music will be incorporated, and that’s really what’s going to be great. To see my life become bigger than life, of course, I’m honored.
There was also a musical based on my life that premiered in Denmark, titled “I LOVE IT,” featuring 21 songs and receiving a 20-minute standing ovation. My attitude now is: I’ve been there, done that. I’m not going to sit down and become an old man. Book number nine came out last year, and that’s it for the books.
DH: So, what’s next for Ole Henriksen? Retirement after the movie?
Ole: I will probably retire once the movie has come out. Likely after my biopic releases in 2027. But “retirement” won’t mean stagnation! We sold our LA house after some neighborhood safety issues; now it’s high-rise life. I feel like when I retire, the great thing is that we can spend a lot more time in Europe. We can rent a nice house in some parts of France or Italy and spend months there. We’ll split time between Europe and LA.
But I’ll still dance, campaign against regressive politics—[coughs, mutters “Trump”]—and support youth charities, especially Headspace. The founder, Paul, lost his daughter to suicide; it’s deeply personal. I work with the former Prime Minister in Denmark and just donated a huge amount of money to Headspace. This is for young people that lack self-esteem and need to get on the right track. Young people battling low self-esteem? That resonates with me.
I will grow old gracefully and still shake my booty, still be wild and crazy, because I think that’s important for all of us. I think in life, you must always have an open mindset because one of the great problems for people getting older when they retire is the attitude they often have of closing the door. You can never close the door. Never retire your curiosity. Celebrate the young; celebrate life. And that’s why I will be forever involved with charity, especially for the young people. They represent our future.
Ole Henriksen: Curious Case of the Glow
Circus Performer? Before his skincare career took off, Ole was a professional show dancer and male model in Southeast Asia, even performing with a circus! He later quipped he couldn’t “kick his legs in the air forever.”
Kitchen Chemist: In his early days in Los Angeles, Ole formulated his skincare products in his own kitchen, often transporting them to clients on his bicycle in Tupperware containers.
The “Ole Glow” Origin: The famous term was coined by actress Laura Dern, who exclaimed she had “the Ole Glow” before attending the Oscars.
Vitamin C Pioneer: He was one of the first in the beauty industry to widely incorporate Vitamin C into skincare, inspired by his meeting with Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling.
Singing Clientele: David Bowie would sing during his facials, while Sylvester Stallone would make Ole do push-ups, insisting “strong hands make better facials!”
No Retirement from Fun: At 74, he still rides rollercoasters, does gymnastics on rings hanging from his ceiling, and loves to dance, embodying his “energy begets energy” motto.
Musical Man: A musical based on his life, titled “I LOVE IT,” premiered in Denmark, featuring 21 songs and receiving a 20-minute standing ovation.
Ole’s story is a vibrant reminder that passion, authenticity, and a little bit of sparkle can transform not just your skin—but your entire life.
