Weight-loss drugs are changing beauty habits, says L'Oreal chief
Nicolas Hieronimus called the rise of GLP-1 drugs "a very important phenomenon for us". L'Oreal has raised its stake in Galderma to 20% and is testing products for GLP-1 users.
The head of L'Oreal, the world's largest cosmetics group, says the rapid rise of GLP-1 weight-loss medicines is visibly changing what consumers buy. Speaking on an investor call, chief executive Nicolas Hieronimus said the trend "is having an impact on beauty consumption and skin care consumption in particular", and described it as "a very important phenomenon for us".
The company reported that sales in the three months to September rose by 7.7%, ahead of analyst expectations. But the shift in consumer habits is prompting the group to reposition parts of its portfolio: its dermatology-oriented brands SkinCeuticals and Kiehl's have products "designed to work alongside and complement GLP-1 and its side-effects on skin sagging", according to the BBC's report.
L'Oreal has also been building exposure to the medical side of the trend. The group increased its stake in dermatology firm Galderma to 20% in December, and both companies have been testing products in clinical trials on GLP-1 users who are worried about loose skin — one of the commonly reported side-effects of the medicines.
Why it matters
GLP-1 drugs were developed for diabetes and obesity treatment, but their mass adoption is now reshaping adjacent consumer industries — from fashion to food and skincare. For readers in Pakistan, where these imported medicines and international beauty brands are increasingly discussed, the L'Oreal comments are an early signal of how global retailers are adapting their product lines.
Source and attribution
This report is based on BBC News' coverage of L'Oreal's investor call. Sales figures and quotations come from the company as reported by the BBC; we have not independently reviewed the company's filings.