Olaplex No. 3 Has Been Discontinued: What No.3PLUS Changes
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector is no longer sold. Olaplex states plainly that “Nº.3PLUS is replacing the original Nº.3”, and the replacement differs in price, size options and how long you leave it on. If you are searching for the old bottle, this is what happened.
★ What changed
- Original No. 3 Hair Perfector: discontinued, 100 ml / 3.3 oz
- Replacement No.3PLUS: $34 (100 ml) or $68 (250 ml)
- Application time: was 3–10 minutes, now 3 minutes
- No.3PLUS is published as suitable for all hair types, not just coloured or bleached
- Formulation: SLS/SLES-free, protein-free, sulfate-free
Olaplex’s own wording
From the brand’s comparison page: “Yes, Nº.3PLUS is replacing the original Nº.3. Nº.3PLUS is the next-generation version of Nº.3, featuring an upgraded formula with enhanced performance.”
That is unusually direct for a discontinuation. There is no ambiguity about whether the old product is still available through official channels — it is not.
The practical differences
- Price and size. No.3PLUS is $34 for 100 ml or $68 for 250 ml. The original was a single 100 ml size.
- Time. The original asked for 3–10 minutes. No.3PLUS asks for 3.
- Scope. The original was aimed at coloured and bleached hair. No.3PLUS is published as for all hair types.
- Claims. Olaplex describes No.3PLUS as offering “360° cortex-to-cuticle repair” across all three hair bond types, where the original was described in terms of repairing broken disulfide bonds.
How to use the replacement
Olaplex’s instructions: in the shower, apply generously to wet hair from roots to ends, leave for 3 minutes, rinse, then follow with Olaplex shampoo and conditioner. Every one to three washes, or daily if you want.
Note the “follow with” — Olaplex’s published results were achieved using the full system, not the treatment alone. The brand says so itself.
What is not published
Olaplex does not name the active ingredient by its INCI name on these pages. The bond-building technology is described as patented and branded, but not chemically identified in the consumer-facing copy, so we cannot report it.
Its published clinical claims for No.3PLUS — 3× stronger hair after four uses, 3× softer versus bleached hair, 75% stronger internal structure over time — carry the brand’s own “results may vary” disclaimer.
If you still have a bottle of the original
Nothing about it has been recalled or withdrawn for safety; it has simply been superseded. Any third-party listing selling the original now is clearing old stock, and you have no way of knowing how long it has been sitting there. Check the batch and the seller before paying a premium for a discontinued bottle.
Sources: Olaplex: No.3 vs No.3PLUS · Olaplex: No.3 Hair Perfector
How this was checked: figures on this page were read from the sources linked above on 26 August 2026. We have not tested this product ourselves; where a figure is the maker’s claim rather than an independent measurement, we say so. Prices change — check the retailer before buying. See our Editorial Policy.
