L’Oréal has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Innovist, marking a significant step in its expansion strategy within India’s rapidly growing beauty and personal care market.
Founded in 2019 by Rohit Chawla, Sifat Khurana, and Vimal Bhola, Innovist has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing science-led, digital-first personal care companies.
The company is known for brands including Bare Anatomy and Chemist at Play, which focus on clean formulations, ingredient transparency, and science-backed product development. Innovist operates through direct-to-consumer channels, e-commerce platforms, quick commerce networks, and offline retail partnerships across India.
Following the transaction, Innovist’s founding team will continue to lead the business as minority shareholders, working alongside L’Oréal India to drive future growth. The company’s brands will become part of L’Oréal’s Consumer Products Division portfolio.
Commenting on the acquisition, Nicolas Hieronimus stated that the investment reflects L’Oréal’s long-term commitment to India and its ambition to combine global beauty expertise with Innovist’s understanding of local consumer needs and science-led product innovation.
Fabrice Megarbane described the partnership as an important milestone for the division, while Jacques Lebel highlighted the opportunity to engage more closely with digitally savvy Indian consumers.
Innovist’s founders emphasised the shared focus on scientific innovation, transparency, and high-quality product development, noting that the partnership provides access to L’Oréal’s global expertise and resources while supporting the continued growth of Indian beauty brands.
The transaction is expected to close in the coming months, subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions.
