L'Oréal

Kiehl's, a skincare brand, has been in operation since 1851.

Helena Rubinstein, a pioneer in the cosmetics industry, founded her brand in 1902.

Eugène Paul Louis Schueller, a French chemist, registered his company, the Société Française de Teintures Inoffensives pour Cheveux (Safe Hair Dye Company of France), which eventually became L'Oréal. The company focused on research and innovation in the beauty field.

Liliane, the only child of L'Oréal founder Eugene Schueller and his wife, Louise, was born in Paris in 1922. She later became a key figure in the L'Oréal empire.

In 1925, L’Oréal introduced the d’Or hair brightener, a product aimed at enhancing the brightness of hair.

Imédia, the first fast-acting oxidation dye, was introduced in 1929, revolutionizing hair coloring methods.

Lancôme, a renowned cosmetics brand, was founded in 1935.

In 1939, La Société Française des Teintures Inoffensives pour Cheveux was officially named L'Oréal, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.

L'Oréal was founded after World War II and grew to become the largest cosmetics company in the world.

Biotherm, a skincare brand, was established in 1952.

In 1954, L'Oréal introduced the level system, which is now the common language used for hair color. This system revolutionized the way hair color is understood and communicated in the beauty industry.

In 1957, at the age of 35, Liliane inherited the entire L'Oréal empire after her father's passing. This marked a significant turning point in her career.

In 1960, L’Oréal launched Belle Color, the first at-home hair color shampoo, providing a convenient solution for coloring hair at home.

Yves Saint Laurent, a prominent fashion designer, founded his brand in 1961.

In 1963, L’Oréal went public and started trading on the Paris Bourse, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.

In 1964, L’Oréal acquired the renowned beauty brand Lancôme, expanding its portfolio and market presence in the beauty industry.

In 1965, L’Oréal acquired Garnier, a popular brand known for its hair care and skincare products, further strengthening its position in the beauty market.

In 1966, Récital at-home hair dye kits were introduced.

Shu Uemura, a renowned makeup artist, launched his brand in 1967.

In 1970, L'Oréal acquired Biotherm.

The iconic slogan 'Because I'm Worth It' was introduced in 1973, becoming a powerful statement of self-worth and empowerment in L'Oréal's marketing campaigns.

Armani, a well-known fashion house, was established in 1975.

In 1988, Lindsay Owen-Jones was appointed as the chairman and CEO of L’Oréal, leading the company through a significant period of growth and success.

In 1990, Lancôme introduced the fragrance Trésor to the market. Trésor is a popular perfume known for its elegant and romantic scent.

L'Oréal had its German headquarters on land confiscated from a Jewish family during World War II. The family, including Holocaust survivors, has been battling for restitution. The company claims it is not responsible for the actions before 1961.

25 years ago, the L'Oréal Groupe initiated a partnership with INSEAD to establish a scholarship program aimed at supporting youth.

In 1999, Synthélabo merged with Sanofi to create Sanofi-Synthélabo. L’Oréal and Elf-Aquitaine collectively held a controlling interest in the new entity.

In the year 2000, L'Oréal accelerated its expansion to new markets, segments, and distribution channels. The company also embraced sustainability challenges and introduced L'Oréal Men Expert, the first mass-market anti-aging line for men. Additionally, L'Oréal embraced digital opportunities early on, staying innovative to meet consumers' evolving lifestyles and needs.

In 2002, L'Oréal and Nestlé collaborated to establish Laboratoires Innéov, a joint venture focusing on nutritional supplements for skin and hair health.

In 2003, L'Oréal inaugurated the Institute for Ethnic Hair and Skin Research in Chicago, dedicated to studying and developing products for diverse hair and skin types.

On March 17, 2006, L'Oréal acquired cosmetics company The Body Shop for £562 million.

In May 2008, L'Oréal bought YSL Beauté for $1.8 billion.

In November 2012, L'Oréal opened its largest factory in Jababeka Industrial Park, Cikarang, Indonesia, with a $100 million investment. The factory aimed to produce for both domestic and export markets.

In 2013, L'Oréal was part of a consortium urging the EU to invest in research on alternatives to animal testing.

In May 2015, L'Oréal partnered with Organovo to explore 3D printing of living human skin for testing product toxicity and efficacy, marking a significant advancement in beauty technology.

Liliane Bettencourt, the sole heir to L'Oréal and one of the richest women in the world, passed away at the age of 94.

On September 22, 2020, a feature was published discussing the history of L'Oréal, a cosmetics company with controversial far-right origins. The article delves into the background of the company and its historical ties.

L'Oréal announced a €1 million donation for relief support of Ukrainians affected by the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Kiehl's showcases the importance of refills as an alternative to single-use plastics through the 'Single-Use Reflections' sculpture by Benjamin Von Wong on the High Line in New York City.

In April 2023, L'Oréal bought Australian luxury cosmetics brand Aesop for US$2.53 billion.

Kiehl's pledges to eliminate single-use plastic by 2030 by ensuring all products are designed to be re-used, refilled, or made of recycled materials.