Weekly Roundup: LVMH headquarters raided by French protestors, Pierre Fabre Group acquires pharma-cosmetic brand MÊME
14 Apr 2023 --- This week in personal care news, Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) opened a technology center in Romania, signaling the company’s investment and growth in digital technology and the Pierre Fabre Group acquired MÊME. Meanwhile, protesters against the French pension reforms broke into the headquarters of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) in Paris.
Business news
The ELC opened its Global Technology Center in Bucharest, Romania – enabling the company’s Information Technology function and strengthening its competitive edge through technology. The Bucharest office joins ELC’s other offices located in Long Island City, New York and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The new center points to ELC’s recent investments in digital technology centers worldwide.
Pharma and cosmetics company Pierre Fabre Group acquired the MÊME brand. MÊME has helped people affected by cancer by offering the “first” skin, scalp and nail care range. This was developed in collaboration with oncologists and dermatologists to improve the side effects of cancer treatments. The Group has been a shareholder for five years and acquired MÊME’s entire capital. 
ELC's new office.
Nutrikéo created a new division dedicated to cosmetics. Based in France, Nutrikéo is a consulting and marketing agency specializing in nutrition and life sciences. Creating this division allows it to develop nutricosmetic food supplements they have worked on for a long time.
Launches and releases
Active Concepts launched two new ingredients, showcased at In-Cosmetics Global, Barcelona, earlier this month. AC OleaShield helps reduce wrinkles and restore skin elasticity. It is made from a top supply of upcycled olive leftovers in Italy. The beneficial polyphenols are extracted from a bio-ferment with a Lactobacillus strain to boost the efficacy of the polyphenols and produce their newest active component. Studies have proven AC OleaShield to be effective in cell migration and antioxidant activity, among others. The second ingredient, AC AmaraSense is sourced from upcycled licorice root extract, white willow bark extract and artichoke extract. It improves skin health by treating fragile, tired, and irritated skin and promotes wound healing. Studies have shown that AC AmaraSense improved skin moisturization and increases cell migration and would healing and more.
A.P. Chem launched age-decelerating skincare for the Millennial and Gen X communities. The brand combines classic and unique skincare ingredients – an approach inspired by the founder’s autoimmune and inflammatory disease diagnosis, which led her to explore classic and alternative treatments such as Psychedelic Treatment. The brand targets inflammation as it impacts skin and overall health conditions. Anti-inflammatory ingredients are used for optimal skin renewal. Debuts include microDOSE Magical Moisturizer, DOPEamine Uplifting & Smoothing Serum and EYEahuasca Enlightening Eye Treatment.
A.P. Chem product launches.
Politics and regulation
Protesters against the French pension reforms broke into the headquarters of LVMH. President Emmanuel Macron has plans to increase the pension age to 64, causing many trade unionists to protest at LVMH’s headquarters as founder Bernard Arnault is recognized by the Forbes Billionaire Index as the wealthiest person in the world. This was to send a message to the government to source pension funding from the rich and not by increasing the retirement age. The French business recently reported 17% organic growth and 10% for its Perfumes & Cosmetics category, making the company the most valuable publicly traded business in Europe.
In new regulation concerning CLP (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/707) was published in the European Official Journal. This regulation introduced new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors for human health and environment, persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic or very persistent, very bioaccumulative (PBT/vPvB) properties. Including persistent, mobile and toxic or very persistent, very mobile (PMT/vPvM) properties. These criteria apply to substances from May 2025, with a transitional period until November 2026.
Baby Dove partnered with Sista Midwife Productions.
Social outreach
Global luxury skincare and makeup brand Clé de Peau Beauté and UNICEF extended their partnership by three years dedicated to addressing gender inequality, focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, employment and empowerment programs for girls. They aim to reach 5.7 million more girls worldwide and provide them with the resources to fulfill their potential. Also, Clé de Peau Beauté has pledged US$8.7 million to UNICEF’s Gender Equality Program.
L’Oréal Paris USA will be urging Americans to act against street harassment next week for International Anti-Street Harassment Week. The company is offering Stand Up Against Street Harassment training to learn how to intervene in instances of harassment safely. The initiative attempts to raise awareness and engage in communities involved in such situations.
Baby Dove partnered with Sista Midwife Productions, a birth advocacy, training and consulting agency. The company also launched a new Black Doula Directory – a national resource offering expectant moms access to Black doulas in the US and from around the world – Canada, Australia, England and Germany. Currently, over 1,000 Black doulas are featured on the directory, with a goal of doubling the list of qualified doulas by this month.
By Venya Patel
