In the global beauty giant’s recent financial results for the first half of 2017, active cosmetics came out as one of the key success stories, posting accelerated growth.
By the end of June, the company’s Active Cosmetics Division had accelerated at +11.1% based on reported figures, and +4.6% like for like. It also remains at a very high profitability level at 26.7%, compared with 27.7% in the first half of 2016.
L’Oréal notes active cosmetics is proving a particular success story in Latin America and North America.
What are active cosmetics?
L’Oréal’s active cosmetics division encompasses those brands which are sold in healthcare outlets, and have a more derma/pharmaceutical profile and image.
They include Vichy, La Roche-Posay, and SkinCeuticals. “Thanks to its highly complementary brands, developed and endorsed by health professionals - dermatologists, pediatricians, cosmetic doctors - the division is the world leader in dermocosmetics,” L’Oréal states.
Honing in
Taking a closer look at where and why L’Oréal’s brands and products are enjoying success illuminates some key areas of focus within the active cosmetics trend.
Sun care appears to be one of these. Growth at La Roche-Posay is still very dynamic, L’Oréal says, thanks to the success of its sun protection campaign and the good performances of its franchises Effaclar, Lipikar and Cicaplast.
Alongside this, the company notes that its SkinCeuticals brand is continuing to post double-digit growth, with outstanding performances in China, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and Brazil.
Skin care more broadly is seeing the impact of the trend: Vichy has launched Minéral 89, its new everyday fortifying repulp booster, with ‘highly promising’ results a few weeks after launch.
North America is the number one contributor to the Division's growth, says L’Oréal, reflecting the successful integration of CeraVe into the Division's portfolio, and the dynamism of the SkinCeuticals and La Roche-Posay brands