L’Oréal has cut the ribbon on a new Research & Innovation Center in South Africa. The center will be dedicated to studying African hair and skin specificities as well as the beauty needs of sub-Saharan consumers.

The French beauty giant’s seventh R&D hub worldwide, the new South African center will employ scientists from a wide range of fields, including chemistry, physiology and cosmetology.

“Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the fastest growing regions for L’Oréal. Our new research arm in South Africa will solidly enable us to continually create the beauty products of the future for our African consumers, while drawing inspiration from the diverse beauty rituals and the various needs of our consumers on the continent,” said Alexandre Popoff, Executive Vice-President Eastern Europe and Africa, Middle East.

Laurent Attal, Executive Vice-President of Research and Innovation, added, “By opening this new Research & Innovation Center, we are spearheading L’Oréal Research for the African continent. We are showing our determination to go further in innovations for the African beauty market. Our consumer surveys conducted since 2010 and our in-depth studies of skin and hair since early 2000, represent the knowledge base for the development of tailored products for African consumers. We are starting with hair and our ambitions are much broader and cover the body, hygiene, skin care and make-up categories.”