L'Oréal has reported stellar trading for the first half of 2026, with its dermatological division, housing CeraVe and Vichy, driving bumper sales.
Sales at the French beauty giant reached €23.77bn, up 6.8% on a like-for-like basis and 5.8% reported, while net profit amounted to €3.9bn, up 4.7%.
The positive sales performance was reported across all four of L'Oréal’s key product divisions – Consumer, Professional, Luxe and Dermatological.
The bumper sales growth helped offset the impact on demand in the Gulf region due to the ongoing war in Iran, except Saudi Arabia.
It follows L'Oréal securing early access to a 50-year exclusive beauty licence with Kering for the Gucci brand, effective on 1 July 2027, which was part of a larger acquisition of Kering Beauté.
“At 6.5% adjusted like-for-like growth, L’Oréal maintained its strong momentum and expanded its outperformance of the global beauty market,” said Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L'Oréal.
“Growth – broad-based across all categories, divisions, and regions – was fuelled by two main engines: the seamless execution of our innovation strategy and our market-beating growth in e-commerce, the industry’s most dynamic channel.”
Here is how L'Oréal’s key trading categories performed in H1.
How Dermatological Beauty stole the show in H1
L'Oréal’s Dermatological Beauty division’s adjusted like-for-like growth amounted to €2bn, a like-for-like increase of 11.6% and the category’s third consecutive quarter of growth.
Sun care was among the standout performers, driven by the launch of CeraVe Sun in May 2026 – a new ceramide-based sun care line which includes the Invisible Dry Touch Fluid Sunscreen 50+ SPF.
La Roche-Posay benefited from continued sales of Cicaplast, coupled with successful launches like Hyalu B5 Suractivated and UV Air Fluid.
SkinCeuticals, meanwhile, continued to advance in double digits, boosted by the strong performance in North Asia and the success of the A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum.
Vichy’s growth was driven by Dercos hair care ranges across all geographies.
How L'Oréal’s Professional division secured near double-digit growth
Gucci
Professional Products continued to deliver strong growth for the French beauty goliath, rising with like-for-like sales growth of 9.8%, reaching €1.45bn.
The division grew in volume and value, driven by a mix of ongoing premiumisation of hair care.
Launches, including Kérastase’s Gloss Absolu Crème, Redken’s Acidic Grow Full and L’Oréal Professionnel’s Keratin Alpha Sleek, supported the category growth.
L'Oréal claimed the hair colour market remains challenging, but attempted to offset the citation by encouraging salon visits with innovations such as Redken’s Shades ALK.
In hair styling, the integration of Color Wow, which L'Oréal acquired on 30 June 2026, is said to be underway.
North Asia was driven by continued strength in mainland China.
Consumer Products division sees single-digit but consistent sales
Color Wow
L'Oréal’s Consumer Products reported a like-for-like sales increase of 2.4%, to €4.27bn.
Demand was driven by own-brand L’Oréal Paris in the first and second quarter, with a particularly robust performance in North America.
Hair care remained the standout category with demand for L’Oréal Paris Elvive Collagen Lifter and Garnier Fructis Diamond Sleek.
In make-up, growth was driven by innovations including L’Oréal Paris Extensionist Mascara and Maybelline New York’s Serum Lipstick, as well as strong performances from 3CE and NYX Professional Makeup.
Skin care benefited from new launches such as L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Glass Skin Liquid Cream, and the continued rollout of Garnier Dry Touch Cream and strong double-digit growth from local champions Mixa and Thayers.
L'Oréal Luxe benefits from strong China demand
Vichy
L'Oréal’s Luxe division sales hit €3.8bn in H1, a 5.7% increase on a like-for-like basis.
The single biggest growth contributor was North Asia, boosted by double-digit growth in China – a market which L'Oréal claims remains challenging.
Momentum was also robust in Europe and North America, where L’Oréal Luxe consolidated its market leadership.
Fragrances continued to advance in double digits thanks to the success of Tom Holland-fronted fragrance Prada Paradigme.
L'Oréal Luxe remains committed to the longevity science trend, and has seen demand for Lancôme Absolue Longevity M.D.
Forward-looking statements from L'Oréal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus
Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L'Oréal
Looking ahead to the second half of 2026, Hieronimus stated that the “demand for beauty remains strong”.
The L'Oréal executive, who has held the role for more than five years, said the business is “well equipped to continue outperforming the market”.
Hieronimus added: “Our historical brands are growing strongly, and our portfolio keeps getting stronger thanks to recent additions, including Kering Beauté.
“Our innovation engine is firing on all cylinders and artificial intelligence (AI) will help it maintain its pace.
“Our teams on the ground keep leveraging fast-shifting distribution patterns – conquering online with digital excellence while creating exceptional brand experiences offline.
“This makes us better positioned than ever to keep winning in beauty.
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