Luxe

In the global luxury market, beauty confirmed its resilience and buoyancy in 2023. The year proved a major milestone for L’Oréal Luxe, which, for the first time in its history, became beauty world leader, a position underpinned by the uniqueness of this Division.

Unparalleled expertise in luxury brands

The success of L’Oréal Luxe is rooted in its unrivalled expertise in developing luxury brands. Over the years, the Division has continuously expanded its portfolio of complementary brands with prestigious and iconic names and successful new acquisitions, allowing it to meet all beauty aspirations. L’Oréal Luxe cultivates the aspirational power of these companies to create billionaire brands, like Helena Rubinstein, which exceeded a billion euros in sales for the first time this year, and propel recently acquired brands, like Takami, to new heights.

Expertise anchored in science and innovation

L’Oréal Luxe beauty teams create exceptional products that boast measurable efficacy and responsible design, driven by research, Green Sciences and Beauty Tech. Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream by Lancôme, which launched this year, is a revolution in itself, featuring high concentrations of active ingredients – hyaluronic acid, pure niacinamide and over 300 types of peptides – which are extracted and combined using Green Science technology to create a skin-renewal formula with recognised efficacy.

Spectacular growth among couture brands

L’Oréal Luxe owes much of its momentum to its couture brands, which continued their remarkable ascent in 2023. For example, Yves Saint Laurent is growing rapidly in the fragrance and makeup categories. Its avant-garde identity continues to draw younger consumers, as the success of its latest fragrance for men, MYSLF, has clearly demonstrated. More recently acquired couture brands also continued to expand. Prada Beauty’s spectacular global launch was particularly impressive in London, where the prestigious department store Harrods was swathed in pastel green, the brand’s signature colour. The event put the brand among Harrods’ top five beauty launches in 2023. Valentino’s beauty range has also continued to grow in the wake of its remarkable launch. Sales have increased tenfold since L’Oréal acquired the brand in 2018.

The outstanding success of the ultra-premium category

Consumers continue to aspire to ultra-premium beauty. Re-Plasty by Helena Rubinstein, an anti-ageing range enriched with clinical ingredients, spearheaded Group growth in the skincare category and is the number one L’Oréal skincare product in China.

A balanced geographical footprint

Furthermore, the Division’s strengths are evenly balanced around the world. L’Oréal Luxe tops the rankings in multiple regions and countries: number one in Europe, China and number two in the United States and SAPMENA, not including Travel Retail. Capitalising on a value chain located as close as possible to its markets, the Division continues to be agile and resilient in the face of economic volatility and global geopolitical disruptions. This ensures the stability and balance which underpin profitable, sustainable growth.

In 2023, L’Oréal acquired Aēsop: an invitation to explore the new frontiers of holistic, sensorial and sustainable luxury.

Founded in 1987, Aēsop is a holistic luxury beauty brand with a singular combination of design, hedonism and lifestyle. The brand takes inspiration from literature, philosophy and the arts to disrupt the conception of beauty. With its complex, inimitable fragrances, Aēsop creates skincare, haircare and body care products, all meticulously designed down to the last detail to deliver on their promise and delight the senses.

Distributed for the most part through 400 high-end boutiques across the globe, the brand sits at the intersection of design, sensory experiences and urban modernity. Created by some of the biggest names in architecture, these signature stores provide exceptional beauty experiences led by specialist advisors who welcome customers with the utmost hospitality, personalised service and an attentive ear. The products, which are formulated with supreme care and attention to detail, come in minimalist amber-hued bottles. The now-iconic packaging is the epitome of avant-garde luxury, which appeals to contemporary urban consumers worldwide.

With its 3,500 employees, Aēsop is the largest acquisition L’Oréal has ever made. The Division aims to develop this valuable addition to its portfolio to its full growth potential, particularly in China, in Travel Retail and e-commerce. Continuing to nurture its unique identity and values, the Division’s medium to long-term goal is for Aēsop to join L’Oréal’s billionaire brands club.