Q&A with Laurent Duffier for Saudi Gazette

1. What is L’Oréal’s long-term vision for growth and expansion in the region, considering evolving market dynamics and consumer behaviours?

The region is a strategic growth market, driven by a young, digitally savvy population and evolving consumer preferences.[1] With approximately 140 million people under 25[2], the region presents vast opportunities due to its digitally savvy consumers and expanding middle class.

The Group aims to lead the market through innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. Consumer spending is expected to reach 62 trillion dollars[3], reflecting the continuously evolving consumer behavior. Investments in green sciences will enhance sustainability, while regional beauty rituals and natural ingredients will continue to shape product development.

Women’s empowerment, particularly in Saudi Arabia, is another focus, as female participation in the workforce grows. L’Oréal’s strategy is centred on leveraging these evolving dynamics to capture long-term growth and solidify its leadership in beauty.

L’Oréal’s participation in LEAP 2025 in Saudi Arabia showcases its dedication to innovation in Beauty Tech. With a strong focus on AI-driven personalization, next-gen skincare technologies, and sustainability-led initiatives, L’Oréal is poised to shape the future of beauty in the region, solidifying its position as the market leader.

2- With a strong commitment to beauty technology, what differentiates L’Oréal in this competitive market, and how does the company plan to sustain its leadership in innovation?

L’Oréal is at the forefront of Beauty Tech, sustainability, and scientific innovation, continuously evolving to meet consumer demands. As the world’s largest beauty tech company, L’Oréal invests €1 billion in R&D annually, with 4,000 scientists across 20 research centers worldwide, driving advancements in AI-powered personalization, green sciences, and next-generation cosmetics. Our leadership is further strengthened by a global network of 8,000 digital, tech, and data talents, ensuring we stay ahead in the rapidly evolving beauty landscape. We also foster a strong culture of innovation, filing more than 600 patents annually—half of which are by female inventors. L’Oréal contributes to scientific progress with over 100 scientific publications per year, reinforcing our commitment to research-driven breakthroughs.

The Group has pioneered AI-driven skin diagnostics, AR-powered virtual try-ons, and biotech-based skincare solutions, creating data-driven, hyper-personalized consumer experiences.

As Saudi Arabia advances its digital transformation under Vision 2030, e-commerce, AI, and data-driven industries are rapidly expanding, positioning the Kingdom as a key hub for tech-driven growth. L’Oréal is leveraging this shift by investing in Beauty Tech solutions tailored to the Saudi market, ensuring its products and services align with evolving consumer behaviours.

A prime example is the SAPMENA Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program, which fosters collaborations with local startups and tech innovators in AI, digital commerce, and consumer experience enhancements. This initiative underscores L’Oréal’s commitment to open innovation and industry-wide transformation in the region.

As MENA’s beauty and tech ecosystems continue to evolve, L’Oréal remains committed to driving progress, fostering innovation, and ensuring beauty is accessible, inclusive, and sustainable for all.

3- How does L’Oréal’s strategy contribute to the advancement of both beauty and technology sectors?

L’Oréal’s strategy is centered on pioneering innovation at the intersection of beauty and technology, ensuring continuous advancements in AI-driven personalization, digital transformation, and sustainable solutions. With €1 billion invested in R&D and 4,000 scientists across 20 global centers, the Group is redefining beauty through cutting-edge research, data-driven insights, and next-generation product development.

L’Oréal’s Beauty Tech innovations, such as Kerastase’s K-Scan and Lancôme’s Shade Finder, leverage AI and AR to deliver personalized skincare and beauty solutions. At the retail level, smart products, AI-powered virtual consultations, and digital commerce enhancements are transforming the consumer experience.

Sustainability remains a core pillar, with bio-engineered ingredients, water-efficient technologies, and eco-friendly packaging shaping the future of responsible beauty. Initiatives like the Water Saver showerhead (cutting water use by 69%) and refillable product designs (Prada Paradoxe reducing material use by 40%) reinforce L’Oréal’s commitment to environmental impact reduction. By merging science, technology, and sustainability, L’Oréal is shaping the future of beauty while driving progress across the technology and innovation landscapes.

4- How is L’Oréal utilizing beauty technology to drive hyper-personalized solutions across the region?

L’Oréal is redefining personalization through AI-powered diagnostics and advanced skincare technologies. Lancôme’s Foundation Shade Finder ensures precise foundation matches using E-Shade Finder technology, while L’Oréal Cell BioPrint analyzes and predicts skin responsiveness to active ingredients like retinol, helping users address potential concerns proactively.

In haircare, Kérastase’s K-Scan revolutionizes scalp health diagnostics, allowing AI-powered microscopic analysis for personalized treatments. Meanwhile, Scalpconsult Pro by Vichy enhances dermatological precision with a 4K camera and AI-driven scalp analysis, benefiting both dermatologists and consumers.

L’Oréal is also driving sustainability in beauty tech. Water Saver by L’Oréal Professionnel, reduces water consumption by 69%, while Colorsonic by L’Oréal Paris automates mess-free, at-home hair coloring, delivering salon-quality results with reduced waste.

At LEAP 2025, L’Oréal will showcase Cell BioPrint and over 20 innovations, reinforcing its commitment to personalized skincare diagnostics and sustainable beauty solutions.