January 10, 2017

L’Oreal Buys CeraVe and Two Other Skincare Brands

beauty news

It feels like L’Oreal is on a quest for beauty domination as they have purchased yet another three brands today including CeraVe for 1.3 Billion. L’Oreal has snapped up NYX, Urban Decay, It Cosmetics, and other makeup, beauty, and skincare brands in the last three years with CeraVe, Acnefree, and Ambi being their more recently purchases.

Between L’Oreal and Estee Lauder it appears we’ll only have two major players and parent companies in our future if things keep going the way they are going. Estee Lauder acquired Too Faced Cosmetics very recently which is a major player in the mid-range makeup world. I have no knowledge of these brand’s stance on animal testing but L’Oreal as a parent brand to my knowledge does test on animals so, this could potentially make or break your relationship with CeraVe, Acnefree, and Ambi if you avoid parent companies that do test on animals.

I happen to love CeraVe so I hope I won’t see a change in the formulas and performance of the products given this new ownership.

What are your thoughts on this beauty news?

33 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  • Sammy

    It breaks my heart that there are companies who perform cruelty testing on little critters in the name of beauty. I love beauty products as much as the next woman (maybe even more than some!), but there is really no reason whatsoever in my opinion to be testing beauty products on poor animals. I do not buy any beauty or cleaning products from companies who test on critters.

  • kimkats

    I really hope they don’t change anything either – I love me some cerave!! It seems to sell well just by itself so I’m hoping they leave it alone.

    I hate that there are, like you said, really only going to be 2 or 3 real players in this whole makeup/skincare game…. Any little indie company that does well is devoured in a few years by one of the conglomos, and I hate that….

    • Sarah Hubler

      I agree! I see the same thing in pretty much every market sadly be it makeup, pet products, household cleaners, technology. I think what you see happening is:
      1) Someone has a great idea and starts a company.
      2) They meet with some success, but need more money to really grow the company.
      3) Private Equity Firms step in and give them the $ for part ownership. But the PE groups always want to grow the company rapidly and sell in 5-6 years.
      4) The brand does grow quickly in 5-6 years and is either sold to another PE for a second round of quick growth. OR the PE finds one of the big companies to sell to.

      This is happening with just about every cool start up out there. Very few of them manage to grow without getting a PE involved – and the PE group’s goals have very little to do with building a company long-term. It has everything to do with how quickly can we get a huge return on our investment and sell off to a major company.

  • Emily

    CeraVe is one brand I buy again, and again, and again. From their face washes (both hydrating and foaming) to their face lotions (AM and PM) to their body lotions (their Renewing SA lotion works better on my keratosis pilaris than anything I have ever tried, and smells better too), they are reliable, readily available, and excellent value. Sometimes I think of abandoning all my higher-end skin care and just going all CeraVe, all the time. I hope very much that nothing changes.

  • An

    CeraVe does not test on animals. I love CeraVe products and I have been using some of them daily for years and I always get compliments on my skin. I hope they leave the existing products alone and don’t reformulate or discontinue them. I wouldn’t mind if they added new products though.

    • Kris

      Yes but the sad part is if you support them you are supporting their parent company that does test.

  • Sarah

    One good thing about this would be if CeraVe is finally available in the UK/Europe as a result. I’ve been wanting to use the PM lotion and cleanser for years!

  • Bonnie

    Somewhat dumb question–is CeraVe part of the Cetaphil family? I was always meh on Cetaphil and since the CeraVe packaging looks a lot like Cetaphil, I’ve never used an of it.

  • melanie

    Cerave is a holy grail item for me and Hope nothing changes. As far as testing on animals I could be totally off but Loreal no longer test on animals anywhere for any product. The only caveat is if they are requested to so for regulations.

    • Isabella Muse

      You could be right Melanie! I had read something about them changing their current stance on animal testing!

      • Bonnie

        Muse, unfortunately nothing has changed – L’Oreal has done a lot of lip service to abandoning animal testing but they haven’t done that yet. What I find odd is that their BEST products IMHO are their vegan (cruelty-free) shampoo and conditioner products. If they went cruelty-free everywhere maybe their makeup quality would finally catch up. ARE YOU LISTENING L’OREAL!

    • Mona

      Loreal itself does not test on animals. However, any products that are sold in China are required to be animal tested. So yes, loreal products are tested on animals if they sell product in China. The tests are just not performed by Loreal itself.

      • Judy Kelly

        That’s how they get around it, they out source the testing. How do you know who to believe???

  • Susan T.

    I use CeraVe partly because they have great products and partly because they don’t test on animals. If they start animal testing I will stop using their products.

    • Evelyn

      They are testing on animals 🙁 and changed their formula too. I have an old bottle of the lotion with some lotion left a bottle usually lasted me 3 months and I just purchased a new bottle mid August 2017 and noticed the packaging was different from my old bottle I’m a very detailed person I was even upset the packaging was different.., yea it’s listing the same ingredients on both bottles but comparing the texture of both these lotions,,, they are not the same!!!!! Very upsetting it doesn’t take a genius to know they’ve changed something!! The new ones feel watery and weird versus the old formula was rich and creamy felt perfect and just right! I hope you all don’t let yourself be fooled! LOREAL has bought cerave I researched since Jan 2017 and now they changed my holy grail lotion,… you just lost a customer and hopefully many many more until they make them right with the same formula as the previous company !!!

      • Evelyn

        I purchased the old bottle probably May 2017, obviously they were selling the last bottles of it from the last company and within the last three months they have changed the formula after they ran out of the last company bottles I had gone to walgreens, walmart, and the packaging were both different and new this was mid august.

  • Dia

    I don’t think they’ll change the formula. If anything, they might expand the line, like what happened to Bare Minerals when Shiseido bought it or to Aveeno when J&J bought it. All of a sudden, the humble little powder foundation company was making lipsticks and mascaras and spawned the edgier Buxom line.

  • Dee

    Whether it’s cosmetics or anything else I don’t like that a few gigantic companies are snapping up smaller ones . The formulas change and not always for the better. CeraVe is one of the best over the counter skincare lines and it would be a shame if their products change.

  • CL

    Isn’t Coty still independent (and foreign)? I also think that many small “indie” brands exist only because the owner/founder WANTS to sell out and become an “instant billionaire” (like the guy who owned VitaminWater).

  • Carol G

    Yeah I think this stinks. Like you said two or three giant corporations are going to own everything. Then all creativity goes out the window. It just seems like they’ll just keep churning out similar products under the umbrella of the big corporation. Hopefully the indie brands will start to take over if they don’t end up caving in the long run and selling to L’Oreal. We shall see!

  • Jenn

    Whoa I had not heard that about CeraVe. I work as a registered nurse in a dermatology practice and we recommend CeraVe products over high end and other drugstore regularly. CeraVe contained ceramides which draws in moisture and helps repair the skins barrier. I own about ten different CeraVe products now and love all of them. I will be so upset if they change any of the formulations or prices.

  • Zovesta

    Wow. I dunno… it’s different if there’s a handful of brands that test on animals and a handful that don’t (even if they are owned by an animal testing company). I feel like you can still buy the ones that are cruelty free and make a point. When they’re ALL owned by the SAME company that tests on animals… =/ Feels kind of pointless. Glad I’ve stopped buying beauty products for the most part.

  • Mrs C M Dyson

    L’Oreal’s ownership of The Body Shop hasn’t to my knowledge led them to impose animal testing on these products. The Body Shop would go bankrupt overnight if it emerged this was happen happening as being crueltyfree is a huge part of its brand identity.

    I feel that Body Shop has lost its personality a bit, not as radical and original as it was in its Anita Roddick glory years.

    • Mona

      FYI, If a cosmetic company sells product in China, The Chinese regulations require that they be tested on animals . So while the company itself may not perform the testings, it is still being tested on animals.

  • Kris

    I hate it and find these companies to be nothing but sell outs. I am so upset that some of my favorite cruelty free brands only care about money. I will not support any company that has a parent company that tests on animals or is sold in china. When these companies sell in China, they send a message to me that profit is more important than the animal testing (torture). I also hate how brands like too faced claim they will stay cruelty free. You CAN’T be cruelty free if your parent company is not. I also notice that as soon as they companies sell out their products go down in quality really fast. So very disappointed.

  • Nicole

    Wow CereVe now. Just wow I guess. I am not in love with the idea of L’Oréal monopolizing the cosmetic industry. I am not saying they do, but it seems like slowly they are buying up big and small names in the cosmetic industry without rhyme or reason. There is no pattern I see in these purchases. :/
    Just seems odd to me. I’m sure there is a reason to what they are acquiring, other than hoping to make money and slowly gain control of the industry, my brain does not see what it is. 😐

  • Maria

    I would like to see the parent company give product development autonomy to these entities and that their only interest is a financial investment to stay competitive with other brands. I believe that it could cost them financially if it interfered with the creativity of the purchased brands, customers do hold the winning card with their purchasing power.

  • Silvia

    Wow L’Oréal how about keeping your nose out on brands we like? I hope they don’t mess with P.F. L’Oréal has never been a favorite at my drugstores and the prices are one of the highest. I have a few eyeshadows and lipgloss from them but always try them on sale or clearance and they are not the best. I sure hope they don’t mess with Cera Vé it is my favorite skin program right now. The moisteriser is awesome! The cleanser also, i just purchased the aha cream and best of all recommended by my dermatologist. I get samples of Cera Ve, Eucerin, Cetaphil and Vani Cream all decent products and don’t break your face or bank account.
    While I love Body Shop just stepped in to check out a new opening in Santa Mónica promenade and too many things are full of glitter now. There are some blushes without it but most is way too shiny. I think I’ll pass on the cosmetics until they reduce so much gold. And I like the sheen of highliters but these is heavy gold.