L’Oreal reported that the increased popularity of GLP-1 weight loss medications is affecting consumer demand in the beauty and skincare sectors. The company’s chief executive noted on an investor call that this trend represents a significant factor for the beauty industry’s outlook.
The surge in GLP-1 usage stems from medications originally developed for diabetes treatment, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, which have gained widespread adoption due to their appetite-suppressing properties leading to substantial weight loss. While not a direct effect of the drugs themselves, rapid weight loss can result in loose skin as a side effect, particularly affecting the facial area for some users.
In response to these market developments, L’Oreal’s brands SkinCeuticals and Kiehl’s have created targeted products designed to address skin sagging and other changes associated with rapid weight loss and GLP-1 use. The company has also strengthened its position in the aesthetic medicine sector by increasing its ownership stake in dermatology firm Galderma last December to 20 percent.
Both L’Oreal and Galderma have conducted clinical trials involving GLP-1 users concerned about loose skin following weight loss. Galderma, which markets products including Sculptra and Restylane injectables designed to stimulate collagen production and fill facial areas, previously released research examining the prevalence of GLP-1 use and associated facial appearance changes. A survey by the aesthetic company found that most weight loss medication users reported noticeable changes to their facial appearance.
Despite the market shifts, L’Oreal demonstrated resilience in the broader beauty sector, reporting sales growth of 7.7 percent in the three-month period ending September, surpassing analyst projections. The company operates multiple major brands including Maybelline and La Roche-Posay alongside its luxury lines.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI