The story of "reconstructed skin" has been a great scientific saga, since its beginnings in 1975, when American researchers successfully cultivated keratinocytes, the main cells of the epidermis, in vitro. This discovery, which will be exploited for the treatment of major burns, aroused the interest of L'Oréal Research, which saw in it an alternative method for testing the efficacy and safety of cosmetic products. 1979: The first epidermis model reconstructed. 1986: The first dermis and epidermis model, enabling the effects of UV and aging skin to be tested. 1994: The development of a pigmented epidermis, enabling the study of the processes involved in tanning. 1997: rgw development of an immunoresponsive epidermis, able to react to irritants or allergenic products. That same year the Group also acquired Episkin kit technology - standardized and reproducible reconstructed skin kits, made available to the scientific and private worlds. 2001: L'Oréal opened a new skin bioengineering center in Lyon (France), enabling the use of this amazing technology on an industrial scale.

L'Oréal has joined the "World Business Council for Sustainable Development," an independent international association of over 150 companies from all major industries. Its mission is to encourage the exchange of expertise in environmental, economic and social matters.

L'Oréal has acquired Biomedical, an American brand of professional corrective cosmetic products, used and sold by dermatologists. Predominantly based on non-invasive acts (peeling, post-cosmetic procedure care), combining safety and efficiency, Biomedical has joined the Group brand with the highest dermatological valence, La Roche-Posay.

A significant advance in understanding the cutaneous consequences of the menopause through the objective measurement of skin density loss. Boosted by the launch of Novadiol, this new expertise has led to an unprecedented breakthrough in pharmacy: the first Phyto-Flavone-based treatment to regenerate skin material, with positive results that have won over thousands of women. The treatment both plumps the skin and remodels the oval of the face

On the acquisition in 1998 of SoftSheen, the American company producing hair products for ethnic hair, L'Oréal also acquired one of its subsidiaries, Mizani (Swahili for "balance"), its professional product brand. In 2001, Mizani was overhauled, repositioned as a premium brand and relaunched by the USA Professional Products Division. The objective: to prepare for growth and internationalization.

Inauguration of the exhibition "Decoding the Hair" at the Cité des Sciences. For the first time, the Paris-based Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie and L'Oréal together explored the world of hair: its nature, properties, language and symbolism... Developed by L'Oréal Research and designed with the museum teams, this educational exhibit answered the questions we have all asked about our hair on occasion. From Brazil to Russia, the exhibition then traveled to over a dozen countries. In 8 years, it was presented in 14 science museums on three continents and visited by over 2 million people.

The principle? Via a dedicated website, business school students from around the world were invited to step into the shoes of a virtual cosmetics company director. They were asked to make strategic decisions in marketing, research, production, finance, etc. in comparison with the performance of other students. The goal for L'Oréal? Making contact with the young talents of the future and developing the Group's reputation and image as an employer. The result? A "business game" which has now become a standard-setter, included on the educational programs at the world's largest universities, involving over 50,000 participants from 120 countries, and now also a key Group recruitment tool.

In association with Nestlé, L'Oréal has entered the market for nutritional supplements for cosmetic purposes with the creation of Innéov. The result of synergy between L'Oréal Research (knowledge of skin, evaluation methodologies) and Nestlé Research (bio-assimilation, nutritional ingredient stability), the brand is counting on scientific breakthroughs in order to develop this booming market.

Along with 2,000 other businesses, L'Oréal subscribes to the ten principles of the Global Compact, a sustainable development initiative launched by the UN in 2000.

The Luxury Products Division has signed a license agreement with Dutch designers Viktor & Rolf. Their rich, avant-garde and extravagant esthetic universe proved attractive to the Group, which is looking to bring in new talent and expand its designer fragrance division.

High-gloss texture on the lips, luscious and transparent colors, playful image, toothsome fruit flavors: delicious and addictive, Juicy Tubes lip gloss has proved a phenomenal success worldwide

1998 saw the European launch of Garnier's Natéa, which nourishes hair while coloring it. However, a problem soon emerged: the term "Natéa", which conjures up the idea of nutrition for speakers of Romance languages, was not well understood in the U.S. - a crucial market for the internationalization of Garnier. The brand was thus renamed Nutrisse, a more immediately accessible name, then re-launched internationally. This time the bet paid off: the concepts of color and care are universally accessible and Garnier Nutrisse has thus now become the world No. 1 in terms of hair coloring sales