OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
L’Oréal is continually trying to cater more efficiently for
people of diverse racial backgrounds. As part of the
process of developing new products, we therefore
study various skin and hair types from different parts
of the world.
L’Oréal R&D is also opening up to a better understanding
of the emerging issues and processes
surrounding the relationship to the body through a
series of researches in social sciences.
ALTERNATIVE TESTING METHODS
In 1989 we ended all animal testing of finished products
prior to their release on to the market. However,
new chemical ingredients must be tested on animals
by law where there is no other approved method.
L’Oréal supports the 3R Rule –Refine, Reduce,
Replace. We are committed to:
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■ avoiding animal suffering and improve the comfort
levels of these tests;
■ reducing the number of animal tests;
■ replacing animal tests with new testing methods so
as to meet the 2009 and 2013 deadlines of the
European Cosmetic Directive.
For the past 15 years we have invested heavily in finding
alternatives to animal testing. In particular, we
invested in Episkin and in SkinEthic –companies which
produce reconstructed human skin, thus eliminating
the need for many of the tests.
The L'Oréal Research Institute for Ethnic Hair and Skin in Chicago analyses how hair and skin change with ethnicity.