Dermocosmetics brands gather momentum

A portfolio of complementary brands that is more relevant than ever

The Covid-19 public health crisis confirmed a major trend in the skincare category: consumers are increasingly interested in health as well as in safe, effective, high-performance products that come highly recommended by experts. Underpinned by concrete scientific results, the brands commanded even higher levels of trust and perceived legitimacy during a pandemic that really put skin to the test. Irritation due to constant hand washing and sanitiser use, mask wearing, increased acne, stress, pollution, and illness all pushed consumers to protect and take care of their skin.

The reputation of L’Oréal Research and the scientific endorsements the brands have garnered accelerated growth in the skincare category. The Active Cosmetics Division led the charge, thanks to its portfolio of complementary brands recommended by dermatologists, aesthetic medicine specialists, general practitioners and paediatricians, with a wide range of price points, from CeraVe to SkinCeuticals by way of Vichy and La Roche-Posay.

Strong scientific and medical roots guarantee responsibility and efficacy

The Division strengthened its position as the “medical beauty” leader growing 2.5 times faster than the dermocosmetics market in 2021. The strength of the Division’s products stems largely from their scientific and medical roots. Scientific, first and foremost, because they are developed by L’Oréal Research & Innovation using safe, innovative, high-performance formulas. Their credibility and reliability are systematically confirmed by clinical trials, and the findings are relayed via scientific publications and conferences. In 2021, the Division almost doubled the number of clinical tests performed and articles published in scientific journals.

Boosted by their reputation for efficacy, the products in this category continued to win over new markets and a new generation of consumers, in particular via social media. Cleanser and moisturiser brand CeraVe, which is widely recommended by healthcare professionals, is especially present on social networks, where its videos featuring influencer doctors have garnered more than a billion views.

This dynamic growth is also underpinned by the brands’ medical roots, which spoke to consumer expectations more than ever during the public health crisis—a context that underscored the importance of healthcare professionals and, as a result, enhanced the impact of the Active Cosmetics Division’s business model, which relies on close, trust-based partnerships with healthcare professionals. These close ties strengthened the leading position of brands in terms of endorsements: La Roche-Posay is the brand most frequently recommended by dermatologists worldwide, while Vichy comes in third. CeraVe is the brand most often recommended by dermatologists in the United States.

Scientific innovations: key to product success

Scientific advances made by L’Oréal Research & Innovation enable the Division’s brands to develop innovative formulas that address a wide range of specific needs. 

Acne-prone complexions can count on Effaclar Duo+ by La Roche-Posay or the new Silymarin CF antioxidant serum by SkinCeuticals, which combines vitamin C, ferulic acid and silymarin—ingredients that help to neutralise the oxidation of lipids in sebum to combat both imperfections and signs of ageing. In the anti-ageing category, serums offer concentrated doses of star ingredients: Effaclar Daily Peeling serum by La Roche-Posay features an ultra-concentrated dose of salicylic acid, and the brand’s Retinol B3 serum combines the regenerating power of retinol with the reparative qualities of vitamin B3. The Neovadiol range by Vichy visibly activates the skin’s own anti-ageing mechanisms during menopause by including star ingredients such as proXylane and hyaluronic acid. In the sun care category, innovations in daily protection help to prevent skin cancer—a growing public health problem which affects nearly three million people each year. La Roche-Posay Age Correct and Vichy Capital Soleil UV Age, which feature Netlock technology, help to protect the skin from UV rays year round. And in haircare, Dercos by Vichy developed innovations based on the exposome—the external and internal factors to which hair is continuously exposed—which allowed the brand to create products suited to a wide range of issues including hair fall and scalp irritation.