L'Oreal

L'Oreal is a French cosmetics company headquartered in Clichy, near Paris. The chemist Eugene Schueller founded it in 1909 after developing one of the first safe synthetic hair dyes. The group is one of the biggest beauty companies in the world by sales. Its shares trade on Euronext Paris, and it has long run a research program in skin and hair science.

The group sells makeup, skincare, hair care, hair color and fragrance. Its brands include L'Oreal Paris, Maybelline New York, Garnier, Lancome, Kiehl's, Kerastase and La Roche-Posay. It also holds licenses for fragrances from fashion houses.

L'Oreal runs its own research centers and employs scientists, chemists and dermatologists. Products are sold through mass retailers, department stores, salons, pharmacies and online shops. The Bettencourt Meyers family and Nestle are its main shareholders. It spends a notable share of sales on research and holds many patents. The company has also bought brands such as Urban Decay, NYX and Aesop. Estee Lauder, Unilever and Procter & Gamble are among its main competitors.