Beauty is a Life story
Chapter I
Many people think beauty is superficial, but in doing so they are not looking deeply enough. Beauty has been an essential human need from time immemorial.
Our day begins with beauty rituals, and it ends with them, allowing us to pause and connect with the self we see on the other side of the mirror. Beauty is about self-identity and self-expression. It helps us feel good about ourselves. To have confidence in ourselves. And this is especially so when we are facing hardship. When we are recovering from an illness, or reintegrating into society; inclusive beauty is a balm that helps us build confidence and maintain our dignity.
But beauty is much more than an individual need. It is also about social belonging. We can follow beauty standards to show we belong to a group. We can also disrupt them to show our other affiliations. In any event, beauty is deeply social. Of course, we know that, when we face the mirror of society, beauty can be an ambivalent force, both alienating and liberating. It is by understanding both the light and the dark sides of beauty that we can construct a human, responsible, inclusive and sustainable beauty.
For us at L’Oréal, Ethics in beauty is an important commitment - and what we call Cosm’ethics is something that we’ve deeply engrained in our culture. And indeed, the beauty industry has a major socio-economic impact, employing millions of people worldwide and making a significant contribution to the Global World Product (GWP).
Hieronimus
L’Oréal Groupe
Juti
L’Oréal Groupe
Welcome to the Era
of
Cosm'Ethics
More than mere adornment, beauty shapes our identity, nurtures our self-esteem, and reflects our deepest aspirations. Far from being superficial, cosmetics are a true mirror of society, a lever for diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility. They also offer a way to restore social connections and self-affirmation, helping individuals find their place in the world.
The age of Cosm'Ethics
Gender fluidity, diverse beauty standards, and environmental sustainability: Cosm'Ethics places ethics at the heart of its concerns.
Today, the industry of beauty is reinventing itself and embracing the values of a more conscious and responsible society. By understanding traditional beauty standards and driven by ethical and aesthetic values, the sector promotes diversity, inclusion and body positivity. This is evident in the special attention paid to different body types, skin tones, and hair textures.
Inclusive Beauty, a pillar of human dignity
By breaking codes and stereotypes, beauty celebrates the uniqueness of each individual. It also plays a fundamental role in maintaining human dignity, especially for vulnerable individuals. Taking care of oneself also means reclaiming one's body, regaining self-confidence, and opening up to others. Studies prove it: 67% of vulnerable women who benefited from socio-aesthetic care found their way back to employment and training. And 75% gained access to healthcare. A gesture of beauty, a step towards resilience.
67%
of vulnerable women found their way back to employment and training
Holistic beauty:
an inner quest
Beyond fleeting trends, beauty is now experienced as a holistic experience, a journey to the heart of oneself. The acceptance of imperfection, sublimated by the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, invites us to embrace our uniqueness and cultivate harmony between body and mind. Beyond appearances, the quest for beauty is a quest for meaning, an art of living, and a way to connect with oneself and the world. This vital force accompanies us in our quest for personal fulfillment and well-being.
Perakis-Valat
Alexis
Perakis-Valat
President - L'Oréal Consumer Products
Democratizing the best of beauty is a thrilling, essential adventure. Because we are committed to make an impact. On our more than one billion consumers in changing their lives with beauty. On the planet by striving every day to create a more sustainable beauty industry, for example, targeting the use of recycled plastic packaging on all our hair care bottles. And on the society as well, with our brands that support meaningful social causes like L’Oréal Paris fighting against street harassment.
This is not a beauty podcast
A new podcast from L’Oréal Groupe and New York Times explores the essential role beauty plays in the human experience. Across six episodes, hear about the hidden role beauty plays in sports, technology, business, science, health and politics, interviewing individuals from around the world.
