“Our innovations are born of science”
Throughout this tumultuous year, L’Oréal’s top priority has been and continues to be protecting its employees. The Research & Innovation teams and their organisational structure, which includes scientists working in laboratories and test rooms, were presented with unique challenges. But the teams adapted quickly, modifying their ways of working to keep the business running and secure all launch plans.
This reorganisation was only possible thanks to unprecedented employee mobilisation. Research & Innovation coordinated with major brands and at Group level to outline the absolute priorities for each project. Research & Innovation also made significant contributions to L’Oréal’s solidarity efforts, in particular by providing formulas for hand sanitiser and hand creams compliant with local public health protocols for distribution to healthcare workers.
In terms of long-term innovation, this remarkable mobilisation also enabled L’Oréal to continue to develop its extremely promising portfolio of innovations, placing the group in an excellent position from which to build the future of beauty. The digital turn the Group took a few years ago continued to accelerate this year. New ways of working remotely adopted by Research & Innovation have helped support Division and Zone activation plans. Assessments and demonstrations of effectiveness reinforced the strength of our product offer, particularly on e-commerce sites, contributing to an outstanding year in terms of innovation.
L'Oréal Research & Innovation confirmed its move towards Green Sciences this year, meeting consumer expectations heightened by the Covid-19 crisis: safe products that respect human health and the environment while delivering ever higher levels of performance. Green Sciences, underpinned by accelerated digitalisation, lie at the heart of the Research & Innovation strategy. They hold remarkable innovative potential for making beauty products created by science more accessible. Major advances in environmental science, agronomy and biotechnologies make it possible to begin thinking about producing ingredients and environmentally friendly materials from renewable raw materials by harnessing the power of life.
At L’Oréal, innovation starts with science.
After 34 years at L’Oréal, including 10 as the head of Research & Innovation, I expressed my desire to retire at the end of January 2021. L’Oréal Chairman & CEO Jean-Paul Agon has named Barbara Lavernos to replace me. Having served as Chief Technologies & Operations Officer until January 2021, she now leads the new Research, Innovation & Technology department. I am quite certain that Barbara will lead this new department to further conquests by expanding its territories and innovations.