Companies combine K-beauty insights, global research capabilities to develop new ingredients, formulations

From left: Nicolas Forissier, France’s minister delegate for foreign trade and economic attractiveness, Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L’Oreal Group, Choi Kyung, CEO of Cosmax, and Kim Jung-kwan, South Korea’s minister of trade, industry and resources, pose for a photo at a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding between Cosmax and L’Oreal Group in Paris on Tuesday. (Cosmax)
From left: Nicolas Forissier, France’s minister delegate for foreign trade and economic attractiveness, Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L’Oreal Group, Choi Kyung, CEO of Cosmax, and Kim Jung-kwan, South Korea’s minister of trade, industry and resources, pose for a photo at a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding between Cosmax and L’Oreal Group in Paris on Tuesday. (Cosmax)

Korean cosmetics-maker Cosmax and French beauty firm L'Oreal have joined forces to develop next-generation products, ingredients and formulations as Korean beauty products continues to shape global beauty trends, officials said Wednesday.

According to the two companies, they signed a memorandum of understanding on the previous day in Paris on the sidelines of the Korea-France summit marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"It's a great honor to open a new chapter of cooperation with L'Oreal as a Korean cosmetics company representing Korea on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France," said Cosmax CEO Choi Kyung.

"Building on the trust and cooperation accumulated over more than 20 years, we will work together to create the next generation of innovation led by K-beauty."

Cosmax and L'Oreal first began their partnership in 2004 when the former started supplying products to the latter. The two have since moved beyond a conventional manufacturing relationship to collaborate in research and development. In 2023, they signed an agreement to jointly research skin microbiome ingredients and develop sustainable, environmentally friendly formulations.

Under the latest agreement, the companies aim to combine L'Oreal's expertise in beauty science, consumer insights and global brand portfolio with Cosmax's science-driven product development capabilities and research and development infrastructure.

They will explore and develop innovative cosmetic ingredients and active substances while working on new formulations and product formats inspired by Korean beauty trends and consumer preferences.

"Beauty is a living bridge connecting the cultures of the two countries and a strategic key industry," said Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L'Oreal Group.

"As we celebrate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France this year, we are very proud to deepen our partnership with Cosmax. By combining our respective strengths, we will deliver a new level of beauty experiences to consumers around the world."


hwkan@heraldcorp.com