L'Oréal posts first-half growth as it heads for 'another year of strong sales'

L'Oréal reported a 1.6% increase in sales, reaching €22.47 billion (£19.3 billion) in the first half of 2025, with fragrances and haircare remaining the fastest-growing categories.

By region, emerging markets recorded double-digit growth, while mainland China returned to growth despite declines in other parts of North Asia.

Sales in Europe rose 3.4%, slowing as anticipated but remaining above pre-COVID levels. Meanwhile, North America showed clear signs of improvement in the second quarter of 2025.

Professional products posted growth of 4.9%, driven by both its omnichannel strategy with accelerating performances in e-commerce and selective distribution, and its focus on reanimating the salon market through tailored salon services.

Momentum remained strong across all major brands, with Kérastase leading the way. The division expects to be further strengthened by the recent acquisition of Color Wow, enhancing its position in the premium haircare and styling segments.

The consumer products segment also posted growth, with sales up 1.1% in the first half, reflecting the success of the division’s strategy to "democratise and premiumise the best of beauty".

Consumer products continued to deliver double-digit growth in haircare, while skincare was boosted by Garnier and L'Oréal Paris. In a "temporarily less dynamic makeup market", L'Oréal Paris’ and NYX Professional Makeup boosted growth in makeup.

L’Oréal Luxe saw sales rise 1% during the six months, helped by scents from Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Prada, and Armani Beauty. In makeup, momentum was also driven by the Couture brands.

Aesop maintained its double-digit growth, while the newly acquired skincare brand Medik8 adds "strong" global potential to the division’s portfolio.

Growth across dermatological beauty was 1.7%. La Roche-Posay remained the division’s biggest growth contributor. SkinCeuticals also maintained double-digit growth, CeraVe continued to gain share in emerging markets, and Vichy was driven by the success of its Dercos collection.

Looking ahead, L'Oréal remains "confident" in its ability to outperform the global beauty market - which is expected to continue growing despite ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges.

It therefore expects to deliver another year of "strong" sales growth and improved profitability.

Contributing to this strategy, Delphine Viguier-Hovasse has been appointed as L’Oréal’s first-ever Chief Innovation & Prospective Officer. She assumed her new role on 1 July 2025, and has joined the group’s Executive Committee.

Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L'Oréal, said: "As anticipated, L’Oréal’s like-for-like growth accelerated between first and second quarter. The ongoing strength in emerging markets, the slight rebound in mainland China and the gradual recovery in North America more than offset the expected slowdown in Europe, once again validating our multi-polar model.

"The acceleration was supported by a gradual improvement in global beauty market growth, which we expect to continue in the next two quarters. It was also boosted by the early success of our Beauty Stimulus Plan – which will become ever more impactful as we continue to roll-out many exciting launches in the second half of the year."