Milestones in non-animal safety testing

1979

1^st RECONSTRUCTED HUMAN EPIDERMIS MODEL

For the 1^st time worldwide, L’OREAL biologists were able to reconstruct a living epidermis, from human skin cell

1986

1^st RECONSTRUCTED HUMAN FULL SKIN MODEL

For the 1^st time worldwide, L’OREAL biologists were able to reconstruct living skin with a living epidermis and a living dermis, from human skin cells

1989

L’OREAL STOPS TESTING ITS PRODUCTS ON ANIMALS

The European Regulation will not require this for another 14 years (2003)

1994

1^st RECONSTRUCTED HUMAN PIGMENTED EPIDERMIS MODEL

For the 1^st time worldwide, L’OREAL biologists were able to reconstruct a living epidermis, from human skin cells, that is able to tan.

1995

L’ORÉAL BIOLOGISTS RECEIVE THE PRIX AMALTHÉE FROM OPAL IN FRANCE

For the development and use of reconstructed skin.

1997

1^st RECONSTRUCTED HUMAN EPIDERMIS MODEL WITH LANGERHANS CELLS

For the 1^st time worldwide, L’OREAL biologists were able to reconstruct a living epidermis, from human skin cells, that shows the key role played by these specialist cells

CREATION OF THE EPISKIN SUBSIDIARY IN LYON (FRANCE) EPISKIN,

the world leader in tissue engineering, offers human reconstructed tissues to the global scientific community (academic and industry) to support research and development activities in safety and efficacy.

1998

ECVAM VALIDATION OF THE EPISKIN MODEL TO ASSESS SKIN CORROSION

Official recognition of our Episkin model to assess skin corrosion.

1999

L’ORÉAL DECIDES TO ABANDON ALL INGREDIENTS FROM BOVINE ORIGIN

ECVAM VALIDATION OF THE EPISKIN MODEL TO ASSESS PERCUTANEOUS ADSORPTION

Official recognition of our Episkin model to assess whether ingredients can pass through the skin into the blood stream

2000

CONSTRUCTION OF THE EPISKIN CENTER IN LYON (GERLAND)

2001

ECVAM VALIDATION OF THE EPISKIN MODEL TO ASSESS CHEMICAL CORROSION

Official recognition of our Episkin model to assess the impact of chemicals on the skin

2002

OECD VALIDATION OF THE EPISKIN MODEL TO ASSESS PHOTOTOXICITY

Official recognition of our Episkin model to assess the impact of light (including UV) on skin.

2003

EUROPEAN TESTING BAN ON ANIMALS FOR COSMETIC PRODUCTS

Ban of marketing of finished cosmetic products tested on animals

2006

EPISKIN ACQUIRES SKINETHIC COMPANY

Episkin, our subsidiary dedicated to the development of reconstructed skin models, acquires SkinEthic an expert in the field of tissue engineering to widen our expertise.

2007

ECVAM VALIDATION OF THE EPISKIN MODEL TO ASSESS SKIN IRRITATION

Official recognition of our Episkin model to assess skin irritation

2008

1^st RECONSTRUCTED HUMAN PIGMENTED FULL SKIN MODEL

For the 1^st time worldwide, L’OREAL biologists are able to reconstruct a living skin (epidermis + dermis), with human skin cells, that is able to tan.

2009

EUROPEAN MARKETING BAN ON ANIMAL TESTING

This ban prohibits to marketing finished cosmetic products and ingredients in the EU, which were tested on animals. But testing is still allowed for some complex health effects (cancer, allergens…).

2010

FIRST RECONSTRUCTED SKIN MODELS PRODUCED IN OUR CHINESE LABS IN SHANGHAI

OECD VALIDATION OF THE EPISKIN AND SKINETHIC MODELS TO ASSESS SKIN IRRITATION

Official recognition of our Episkin model to assess skin irritation.

2011

INAUGURATION IN LYON OF EPISKIN, THE 1^st PREDICTIVE EVALUATION CENTER OF THE COSMETIC INDUSTRY

This center houses more than 75 biologists over a surface area of 3670 m² of laboratories -including 1000 m² of cleanrooms, where the reconstructed tissues are produced. Each year, the center produces approximately 100,000 units of reconstructed tissues, and its platforms evaluate thousands of formulas and a hundred-some ingredients.

2013

FULL EUROPEAN MARKETING BAN ON ANIMAL TESTING

Full ban enters into force. This is the end of animal suffering for cosmetic reasons.

2014

L’ORÉAL OBTAINS A BUSINESS LICENCE FOR RECONSTRUCTED SKIN MODELS EPISKIN IN CHINA

L'Oréal has been granted a Chinese business licence for Shanghai Episkin Biotechnology Ltd. The Chinese Episkin model is a human epidermis model reconstructed from Asian keratinocytes, produced by the L’Oréal laboratories in China according to the same strict production standard and quality control criteria as at L’Oréal’s Predictive Evaluation Center in Lyon, France

ANIMAL TESTING EVOLUTION IN CHINA

Some products manufactured and sold in China, such as shampoos, shower gels and some make-up products are no longer tested on animals.

2017

OECD VALIDATION OF 2 ALTERNATIVES TO ANIMAL TESTING, DEVELOPED BY L’ORÉAL, TO ASSESS SKIN ALLERGY AND EYE IRRITATION.

Official recognition of our alternative methods to assess skin allergy and eye irritation.

2019

OPENING OF THE EPISKIN CENTER IN RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL)

With the launch of EPISKIN in Brazil, the reconstructed human skin models and all associated safety methods are available to the Brazilian and Latin American scientific community for product testing purposes.

2020

PARTNERSHIP WITH AFSA, SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION PROGRAM OF HSI

L'Oréal becomes an active member of the AFSA executive committee after having been collaborating from a scientific point of view for several years.

Through scientific collaboration with the AFSA/HSI, we can work together to promote animal-free methods through training and education and share best practices widely.

2021

FURTHER ANIMAL TESTING POSITIVE EVOLUTION IN CHINA

Since 2014, some products manufactured and sold in China, such as shampoos, shower gels and some make-up products, are no longer tested on animals. In May 2021, these same products imported into China will no longer be tested on animals provided that they can show a certification of compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices from the country in which they are manufactured and a safety assessment.