L’Oréal has kicked off 2025 on a strong note, with its first-quarter sales showcasing both resilience and growth in a challenging global landscape. The company reported €11.73 billion in sales, reflecting a robust 4.4% growth on a reported basis and a like-for-like growth of 3.5%. This blog dives into L’Oréal’s latest performance, exploring key insights, data points, and takeaways across divisions and regions, demonstrating why the world’s leading beauty player continues to outperform the global beauty market.
L’Oréal’s Q1 Standout Achievements
Here are some of the headline results from the first quarter of 2025:
- Sales Growth: Total sales reached €11.73 billion, a 4.4% increase reported and 3.5% growth like-for-like.
- Strongest Categories: Fragrances and premium hair care led the charge as the fastest-growing categories.
- Regional Highlights: Emerging markets showed the most substantial progress, led by the SAPMENA-SSA regions with an impressive +10.4% like-for-like growth. Europe continued as the top-performing geography overall.
- Ethical Leadership: L'Oréal achieved its ninth consecutive CDP triple ‘A’ rating, and for the 16th time was recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies.
CEO Nicolas Hieronimus highlighted the success of the Group’s innovative "Beauty Stimulus Plan," which debuted products like Kérastase Gloss Absolu and Yves Saint Laurent Make Me Blush. He concluded, “We are confident in our ability to outperform the global beauty market despite economic and geopolitical challenges, and we expect to see growth accelerate progressively in the upcoming quarters.”
Performance Breakdown by Divisions
1. Professional Products
Sales: €1.28 billion (+1.6% like-for-like, +2.7% reported)
Key Drivers: Premium haircare continued its strong momentum through franchises like Kérastase Genesis and new launches such as Gloss Absolu. Innovations in hair color like Matrix SuperSync also contributed to growth.
Regional Highs: Europe, China, and emerging markets like Brazil and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) saw double-digit growth.
2. Consumer Products
Sales: €4.28 billion (+2.3% like-for-like, +2.5% reported)
Highlights: The division thrived due to its "democratization and premiumization" strategy. Flagship products included L’Oréal Paris Growth Booster, Garnier Fructis Sleek and Stay, and NYX’s successful makeup innovations.
Regional Strengths: Strong contributions came from Brazil, India, Thailand, and Europe.
3. L’Oréal Luxe
Sales: €4.09 billion (+5.8% like-for-like, +7.3% reported)
Top Performers: Fragrance dominated with Libre, Born in Roma, and Paradoxe driving double-digit growth. The launch of Make Me Blush cemented momentum in makeup, while skincare innovations like Lancôme Absolue Longevity Cream had a strong start.
Regional Growth: North Asia, particularly in China, showed a resurgence, complemented by strong performances in Europe and emerging markets.
4. Dermatological Beauty
Sales: €2.09 billion (+2.7% like-for-like, +3.5% reported)
Growth Leaders: Competitively strong brands, including La Roche-Posay Cicaplast and CeraVe, fueled this division. SkinCeuticals' groundbreaking P-Tiox launch in China also played a pivotal role.
Regional Highlights: Double-digit growth in North Asia and SAPMENA-SSA, along with stable expansion in Europe.
Geographic Performance Analysis
Europe
- Sales: €3.91 billion (+4.3% like-for-like, +4.9% reported)
- Europe continues to be a key growth engine fueled by success in fragrances and makeup launches like YSL Make Me Blush and Lancôme Lash Idôle Flutter Mascara.
North America
- Sales: €2.97 billion (-3.8% like-for-like, -1.4% reported)
- The market faced challenges due to makeup softness, yet L’Oréal Luxe’s fragrance portfolio and Kérastase’s premium haircare line showed resilience.
North Asia
- Sales: €2.95 billion (+6.9% like-for-like, +8.4% reported)
- Despite market stagnation in China, L'Oréal managed to capitalize with strong performances in Luxe, Dermatological Beauty, and Professional Products.
SAPMENA-SSA
- Sales: €1.08 billion (+10.4% like-for-like, +12.2% reported)
- The fastest-growing region, driven by expansion of fragrances and haircare across Southeast Asia, India, and Africa.
Latin America
- Sales: €815.8 million (+7.9% like-for-like, +0.4% reported)
- Categories like makeup and fragrances soared, with Brazil leading the charge with double-digit growth.
Strategic and Sustainable Avenues of Growth
L’Oréal’s strategy for 2025 is underpinned by innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity:
- Product Innovations: New launches like Gloss Absolu and SkinCeuticals P-Tiox highlight L’Oréal’s investment in beauty technology.
- Sustainability Leadership: Continuing its nine-year streak of transparency with CDP triple ‘A’ scores and supporting global skin health through initiatives like L’Oréal Act for Dermatology.
- Ethics and Equality: Recognition by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 16th time cements L’Oréal’s ethical leadership.
What Lies Ahead for L’Oréal?
Despite economic uncertainty, 2025 is poised to be a monumental year for L’Oréal. With a strategic focus on innovation, sustainability, and strengthening its geographical presence, the Group is well-positioned to continue outperforming the global beauty market. Nicolas Hieronimus emphasized confidence in L’Oréal’s ability to accelerate growth in the coming months with continuous product launches and expanded market penetration.
With 37 international brands under its belt, L’Oréal’s commitment to its purpose, “creating the beauty that moves the world,” remains stronger than ever.
