At the 2025 WWD Beauty Inc Awards, L’Oréal’s CEO, Nicolas Hieronimus, emphasized the necessity of progress in the beauty industry, quipping, “You cannot stand still in beauty.” As the sixth chief executive in the company’s 116-year history, Hieronimus has been instrumental since taking over in 2021, driving L’Oréal to maintain its status as the largest beauty conglomerate globally. His tenure has seen significant strides, including a substantial €4 billion acquisition of Kering’s beauty brands. He has also launched innovative initiatives such as the L’Oréal Circular Innovation Fund and the L’Oréal Climate Emergency Fund, all aimed at aligning the company with the evolving landscape of beauty and sustainability.
In a conversation with Beauty Inc editor Jenny B. Fine, Hieronimus shared his forward-looking vision, distancing himself from the idea of leaving a “trace” and focusing instead on the ongoing movement in beauty that reflects societal changes. He explained that to truly move the world, L’Oréal must better understand and integrate into various cultures and emerging markets. This approach has led to strategic acquisitions and investments in brands like Omani fragrance line Amouage and the Chinese skincare company Lan, tapping into diverse consumer preferences and innovative beauty technologies.
L’Oréal’s acquisition of Kering’s beauty properties bolsters its already formidable Luxe division, which features renowned brand names such as Valentino and YSL Beauty. Hieronimus expressed pride in the company’s recent achievement of being the leading luxury beauty player and highlighted aspirations to extend that lead even further. His leadership comes amidst challenging global circumstances, yet he remains optimistic about beauty’s resilience and its ability to uplift individuals and foster self-esteem, asserting that the sector consistently outpaces global GDP growth.
Recognizing the broadening definition of beauty, Hieronimus noted that investments in health, wellness, and sustainable practices are becoming integral to the industry. He pointed to L’Oréal’s acquisition of Swiss start-up Gjosa, which focuses on innovative, water-saving beauty technologies as an example of how the company is aligning itself with current demands for sustainability. Hieronimus stressed that to remain relevant, beauty brands must innovate, whether through new formulations or sustainable practices, to create products that genuinely make a difference.
Despite L’Oréal’s massive scale, Hieronimus champions an entrepreneurial culture within the organization. Drawing from his 38 years at the company, he insists on maintaining the agility characteristic of smaller players while leveraging L’Oréal’s resources effectively. This balance fosters an environment ripe for innovation. Particularly in navigating the complex Chinese market, Hieronimus noted the importance of understanding local beauty preferences and cultural nuances. He remains confident that L’Oréal can thrive in China, evident from the company’s continued leading performance during crucial shopping periods.
Finally, Hieronimus highlighted the collaborative role of all employees in embracing and understanding the evolving beauty landscape. He believes that to connect with younger generations, it’s crucial for team members to resonate with current trends and cultural shifts. Paraphrasing the idea of leveraging modern tools and insights, he underlined that staying aware of youth culture is essential for continued relevance in a competitive industry. The message is clear: beauty is dynamic, shaped by the present, and L’Oréal is committed to evolving alongside it to meet the demands and expectations of an ever-changing consumer landscape.