PARIS and NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2025 — IBM and L’Oréal have announced an innovative collaboration to develop the first-ever AI model focused on cosmetic formulations, aiming to advance the use of sustainable raw materials and reduce energy and material waste in the beauty industry. The partnership seeks to combine L’Oréal’s vast expertise in cosmetic science with IBM’s cutting-edge generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technology, creating an AI foundation model that will significantly enhance the ability of L’Oréal’s Research & Innovation (R&I) teams to create environmentally-conscious and high-performance products.
This ground-breaking initiative is set to revolutionise the cosmetic industry by marrying beauty, chemistry, and technology. The AI model will leverage a vast repository of formulation data, enabling L’Oréal’s researchers to accelerate tasks such as developing new products, reformulating existing ones, and scaling production. According to L’Oréal, this AI model will not only enhance product performance but also contribute to its ambitious sustainability goals, such as sourcing the majority of its formulas from bio-sourced materials and embracing circular economy practices by 2030.
Stéphane Ortiz, Head of Innovation Métiers & Product Development at L’Oréal Research & Innovation, highlighted the significance of this partnership in the company’s broader digital transformation programme: “This collaboration will extend the speed and scale of our innovation pipeline, ensuring that our products always meet higher standards of inclusivity, sustainability, and personalisation.”
By harnessing IBM’s advanced AI capabilities, L’Oréal aims to deepen its commitment to creating products that are both eco-friendly and tailored to the unique needs of consumers worldwide. The partnership’s focus on sustainability aligns with global trends pushing for cleaner, greener beauty products that do not compromise on quality or performance.
The custom-built AI model will process an extensive range of data points on cosmetic ingredients, which will allow L’Oréal’s researchers to gain deeper insights into the behaviours of renewable ingredients within cosmetic formulations. This knowledge will be pivotal in enhancing the company’s ability to create sustainable product lines with greater inclusivity and adaptability to consumer preferences.
Matthieu Cassier, Chief Transformation & Digital Officer at L’Oréal Research & Innovation, stated: “Building on years of unique beauty science expertise and data structuring, this major alliance with IBM is opening an exciting new era for our innovation and development processes.”
A key element of this collaboration is the use of “foundation models,” which are AI systems trained on large datasets that can perform a variety of tasks across different domains. While foundation models have already revolutionised natural language processing, IBM is now pioneering their application in areas like chemistry and time-series data, expanding their potential to industries beyond traditional text-based AI.
Alessandro Curioni, IBM Fellow and Vice President of Europe and Africa, emphasized the role of AI in driving positive change: “This collaboration is a truly impactful application of generative AI, leveraging the power of technology and expertise for the good of the planet. At IBM, we believe in the power of purpose-built, customised AI to help transform businesses and achieve operational goals.”
The partnership is poised to not only reshape how cosmetic products are formulated but also demonstrate the immense potential for AI to aid in the development of products that are both sustainable and innovative. This partnership between IBM and L’Oréal may serve as a model for other industries seeking to integrate AI into their sustainability strategies.
Guilhaume Leroy-Méline, IBM Distinguished Engineer and CTO of IBM Consulting France, concluded: “This alliance between highly specialised expertise in artificial intelligence and cosmetics seeks to revolutionise cosmetic formulation. It embodies the spirit of AI-augmented research, emphasising sustainability and diversity.”
This partnership is more than a step toward sustainable beauty; it represents the future of the cosmetics industry—where cutting-edge technology and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. If successful, it could not only propel L’Oréal’s leadership in beauty innovation but also set a powerful example for other industries looking to harness AI for sustainability and innovation.
For over 115 years, L’Oréal has been at the forefront of beauty innovation, with a commitment to creating products that inspire consumers worldwide. With a portfolio of 37 international brands and a global team of over 90,000 employees, L’Oréal continues to lead the way in blending beauty, technology, and sustainability.
IBM, a leader in AI research and innovation, is dedicated to bringing transformative technologies to a range of industries. This collaboration with L’Oréal marks a new chapter in their strategy to use AI for creating solutions that benefit both businesses and the planet.
