Core Insights - The global beauty market is facing a "value return" challenge, with the Chinese market undergoing significant structural adjustments, moving from rapid growth to a more competitive landscape [1][2][6] - L'Oréal has demonstrated strong resilience and growth in this challenging environment, achieving "mid-single-digit growth" in the Chinese market, which is a notable performance amidst overall market stagnation [2][6][7] Financial Performance - L'Oréal's Q3 financial report shows a 3.7% year-on-year growth, with total sales reaching €32.8 billion, outperforming the sluggish market [5][6] - The online sales channel has seen double-digit growth, indicating L'Oréal's strong digital presence and market dominance [5] Market Strategy - L'Oréal's growth is driven by a robust recovery in the high-end cosmetics sector, capitalizing on the premium market segment [7] - The "Beauty Stimulus Plan" focuses on innovation and product line mobilization, enhancing the proportion of new products in the market [7][11] Innovation and R&D - L'Oréal is committed to long-term investment in China, marking the 20th anniversary of its R&D center, which has evolved from "in China" to "with China" and now "for China" [4][11] - The company showcased 26 new product launches at the recent expo, including three Asian debuts and four global launches, highlighting its innovation capabilities [11][12] Strategic Partnerships - L'Oréal has formed a strategic partnership with Kering, acquiring high-end fragrance brands and enhancing its position as a global leader in luxury beauty [10][15] - The "BIG BANG Beauty Tech Co-Creation Program" has successfully connected with numerous startups, fostering innovation in the beauty tech sector [13][21] Societal Impact and ESG - L'Oréal's commitment to ESG principles is evident, with a focus on creating jobs and driving economic growth, claiming to generate over 334,000 jobs in China [23][25] - The company has launched initiatives like the "New Age Beauty" concept, addressing societal issues related to aging and promoting a holistic view of beauty [24][25] Thought Leadership - L'Oréal aims to redefine beauty as a core economic driver, launching a book on the economics of beauty, which quantifies its impact on job creation and economic growth [20][23] - The company is positioning itself as a thought leader in the beauty industry, moving beyond product sales to influence industry standards and societal perceptions of beauty [17][18]

Core Insights - L'Oréal China released a white paper on PDRN skincare applications during the 8th China International Import Expo, outlining the scientific and application landscape of PDRN in the beauty sector [1][2] - The white paper serves as a guide for the future development of PDRN, showcasing L'Oréal's 20 years of expertise in skin science and consumer insights [1][2] Group 1: PDRN Research and Development - L'Oréal has established a comprehensive innovation system in China since 2005, focusing on consumer insights, scientific research, and product development [2] - The white paper consolidates L'Oréal's latest research on PDRN, detailing its scientific mechanisms, clinical evidence, and application prospects while identifying knowledge gaps and potential risks [2][3] Group 2: Expert Discussions and Applications - Experts discussed PDRN's applications and future prospects at the release event, highlighting L'Oréal's advantages in R&D, including a rich pipeline of biological materials and collaborations with leading companies in fermentation [3] - Lancôme, as the first brand to apply PDRN within the group, shared strategic considerations and consumer insights regarding its application in beauty products [3] Group 3: Product Launches and Future Plans - L'Oréal has already integrated PDRN into its brands, with Lancôme's "Rejuvenating" cream inspired by advanced PDRN skin technology from South Korea [4] - The company plans to continue exploring PDRN's potential in the beauty sector, launching more products and promoting industry collaboration to advance skin science [4]

Core Viewpoint - The 2025 China International Import Expo (CIIE) saw a lower participation rate from leading beauty companies, reflecting a trend of market growth slowing down and companies opting for cost-saving measures while still seeking innovative product development and localized strategies [1][2]. Group 1: Product Innovation and Localization - New products are taking center stage, with a focus on localized customization being a key theme among multinational companies [2][4]. - Shiseido's medical beauty brand RQ PYOLOGY showcased a new project developed in collaboration with local institutions, emphasizing the importance of local partnerships in innovation [2][4]. - The introduction of a unique "skin rhythm" evaluation system by RQ PYOLOGY aims to provide precise skin condition analysis, highlighting a shift towards research-driven, localized product strategies [4][20]. Group 2: Mature Brand Strategy - Multinational companies are increasingly favoring the introduction of mature brands into the Chinese market as a pragmatic response to slowing growth, leveraging established supply chains and faster market entry [9][11]. - Shiseido's fragrance and beauty brand Serge Lutens made its debut at the expo, with plans for formal entry into the Chinese market next year [11][13]. - The professional skincare sector is also witnessing a wave of established brands entering the market, such as Amorepacific's Aestheline and L'Oréal's Dr.G, indicating a trend towards stability and reliability in brand offerings [11][13]. Group 3: Technological Innovation - Technology is redefining competitive boundaries, with brands like Kosé utilizing quantum computing to enhance product formulation efficiency [17][20]. - L'Oréal released a white paper on PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotide) applications in skincare, showcasing its potential in anti-aging and skin longevity [20][22]. - Chinese companies like Huaxi Bio are also responding to global anti-aging trends with systematic research on ECM (extracellular matrix) solutions, indicating a robust focus on scientific innovation [22][24]. Group 4: Market Trends and Consumer Focus - Beauty brands are shifting from aggressive marketing tactics to enhancing user experience, focusing on product efficacy and consumer needs [9][20]. - The emphasis on practical innovation reflects a broader industry consensus that growth is returning to a more rational and realistic trajectory, prioritizing verifiable product effectiveness over mere concepts [24].

Core Insights - The company has experienced growth across all divisions and regions, with North America and mainland China showing strong recovery momentum [1][4] - The hair care and fragrance categories continue to demonstrate robust growth, while the makeup category is showing improvement [1] - Online channels have achieved double-digit growth [1] By Division - Professional Products reported €1,233.0 million in sales, with a like-for-like growth of +9.3% and a reported growth of +6.1% [2] - Consumer Products achieved €3,763.4 million, with a like-for-like growth of +3.8% and a reported growth of +0.4% [2] - Luxe division saw €3,719.7 million in sales, with a like-for-like growth of +2.5% but a reported decline of -1.5% [2] - Dermatological Beauty reached €1,617.6 million, with a like-for-like growth of +5.1% and a reported growth of +1.1% [2] - Group total sales amounted to €10,333.7 million, with a like-for-like growth of +4.2% and a reported growth of +0.5% [2] By Region - Europe generated €3,572.9 million, with a like-for-like growth of +4.1% and a reported growth of +4.6% [2] - North America reported €2,972.4 million, with a like-for-like growth of +1.4% but a reported decline of -4.3% [2] - North Asia achieved €1,953.2 million, with a like-for-like growth of +4.7% and a reported decline of -0.1% [2] - SAPMENA-SSA® region saw €1,010.2 million, with a like-for-like growth of +12.2% and a reported growth of +5.7% [2] - Latin America reached €825.0 million, with a like-for-like growth of +4.4% but a reported decline of -3.0% [2] Market Trends - North Asia has recorded its first positive growth in two years, with mainland China showing low single-digit growth, surpassing the market's slight growth [4] - The recovery in the high-end cosmetics sector is attributed to innovative product lines and the "Beauty Leap Plan" [4] - The professional hair products division experienced mid-single-digit growth, driven by the Kérastase brand and e-commerce channel growth [4] Strategic Developments - The company announced a strategic alliance with Kering Group, acquiring Creed to lead in the niche fragrance market, while also capitalizing on the growth potential of beauty and fragrance licensing for high-end brands like Gucci and Balenciaga [5]