L’Oréal partnered with Zuvi, a start up established by renowned scientists and engineers, to develop and manufacture a next generation hair dryer that breaks new ground by caring for the planet as well as hair. AirLight Pro uses a combination of infrared light technology and wind. This makes hair visibly smoother and more hydrated, while also drying more quickly thanks to optimised heat flow, saving a considerable amount of energy. L’Oréal Professionnel will launch AirLight Pro in 2024 on select markets, including the United States and Europe, targeting beauty professionals and consumers alike. This technology received a CES 2024 Innovation Award(1)Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, as announced by L’Oréal on 9 January 2024. At CES 2023, L’Oréal also received six awards for its inclusive and personalised beauty innovations. This specifically included HAPTA, the first smart make-up applicator designed for people with reduced mobility in their arms and hands, which was also named one of the best inventions of 2023 by TIME magazine, in the accessibility category..
Pigmentation disorders affect a large proportion of the world’s population, whatever their natural skin colour. L’Oréal has been studying pigmentation for over 35 years: numerous studies have been carried out in vitro and then in vivo in humans to assess the effectiveness of different active ingredients: more than 120 clinical trials have been carried out over 35 years in 13 countries/five continents, involving more than 12,000 participants. In addition, in a recent AI-powered study, our researchers characterised skin ageing in more than 600,000 women of European and Asian origin, showing differences in the appearance of localised hyperpigmentation with age.
This extensive expertise in skin pigmentation in all its diversity has enabled L’Oréal to develop Melasyl, a new patented cosmetic active ingredient capable of regulating hyperpigmentation disorders and dyschromia and promoting a more even complexion. It is the first molecule to act on localised excesses of melanin by capturing its precursors, molecules with little colour, before they are transformed into eumelanin or pheomelanin, highly coloured pigments liable to accumulate excessively in the skin.
The acquisition of Copenhagen-based Lactobio, a company at the forefront of probiotics and microbiome research, builds on 20 years of advanced research into the microbiome and will give L’Oréal an even greater understanding of these microorganisms that live on the surface of the skin. L’Oréal’s microbiome expertise, together with Lactobio’s significant IP portfolio, will enable the development of a new generation of safe, effective, market-leading cosmetics using live bacteria.
L’Oréal aims to offer the best in beauty for all skin and hair types, all genders, all identities, cultures, age groups, beauty regimes and all lifestyles. Research places learning about skin and hair from around the world at the heart of its innovation strategy, so as to better understand consumers in their infinite diversity.
In this way, we can identify the technical and emotional drivers connected with the expectations and specific needs of each consumer, better anticipate the technological and digital issues of the beauty of the future and evaluate the effectiveness of beauty routines in the most appropriate and inclusive way possible.
The largest ever study of women’s hair and skin
“My Skin & Hair Journey”(2)“My Skin & Hair Journey”. 100,000 surveys, 148,000 pictures, including 100,000 selfies. is the name of the multi-year study launched by L’Oréal and Verily, a worldwide leader in precision healthcare technology. Researchers will get a better understanding of the biological, clinical and environmental factors that contribute to skin and hair health over time. This unprecedented study is part of the Group’s research into longevity and the exposome. It is being carried out on several thousand American women (aged 18 to 70) from a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds, and with different skin and hair types. By collecting the first ever data on skincare and haircare perceptions and experiences, the study will shine a light on how lifestyle, the environment, well-being and routines can affect everyone’s beauty.
The information gleaned from this survey will give L’Oréal the chance to create and provide ultra-personalised skincare and healthcare products and services.
