Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Minnesota files lawsuit against L’Oréal over hair relaxer marketing
Lawsuit filed
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against L’Oréal and related companies, alleging that they marketed chemical hair relaxers while concealing research linking their use to increased cancer risk. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Company response
Denial — L’Oréal USA
Source excerpt
This story is based on a civil complaint, which contains allegations that have not been proven in court
The lawsuit, filed this week in Hennepin County District Court, names L’Oréal USA, Inc., L’Oréal USA Products, Inc., L’Oréal S.A., L’Oréal USA S/D, Inc., and SoftSheen-Carson LLC as defendants.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit against L’Oréal and several related companies, alleging the cosmetics giant marketed chemical hair relaxer products to Minnesota consumers for decades while concealing their link to increased cancer risk.
2022
Nykaa and L’Oréal settle packaging copyright litigation
Settlement
Nykaa and L’Oréal settled litigation in which L’Oréal had alleged that certain Nykaa packaging resembled its Maybelline trademark. The settlement, including L’Oréal’s approval of modified artwork adopted by Nykaa, was approved by the Delhi High Court and District Court.
Source excerpt
Sensing a long drawn court battle, both firms decided to go for settlement which has been approved by the Delhi High Court as well as the District Court.
Under the new settlement terms, L’Oréal has approved the modified artwork adopted by Nykaa.
L’Oréal had cited similarity of Nykaa’s certain packaging items with its trademark ‘Maybelline’ brand, prompting an alleged infringement of intellectual property rights lawsuit.
2021
L’Oréal responds to complaints over promotions
Company response
L’Oréal apologized for confusion caused by its complicated promotion mechanisms. The company said some lower prices may have resulted from customers using multiple platform coupons, and said it was investigating and would seek fair solutions for affected customers.
Company response
Apology — L’Oréal
the company apologized for “bringing about puzzlements to buyers because of the perplexed and complicated promotion mechanisms.”
Investigation — L’Oréal
“We are working with relevant departments to conduct a sound and thorough investigation and we will do our best to provide customers affected with fair and proper solutions as soon as possible,” the statement read.
Source excerpt
Many Chinese customers who pre-ordered L’Oréal’s facial masks co-promoted by the company and livestreamers such as Li Jiaqi and Viya had found that they could buy the same masks three weeks later at only 60 percent of the price.
On Nov. 18, L’Oréal issued a statement in response to the latest episode, in which the company apologized for “bringing about puzzlements to buyers because of the perplexed and complicated promotion mechanisms.”
“We are working with relevant departments to conduct a sound and thorough investigation and we will do our best to provide customers affected with fair and proper solutions as soon as possible,” the statement read.
2019
L’Oréal fined over false advertising in Shanghai
Fine or penalty
Shanghai's Jing'an District market regulator fined L’Oréal 205,970 yuan and ordered it to stop publishing an advertisement that it identified as false; the article does not identify the product brand involved.
Source excerpt
今年8月，上海市静安区市场监管局发布沪监管静处字（2019）第062018000653号，指出欧莱雅方面违反《广告法》第二十八条第二款第（二）项规定发布虚假广告，处以罚款20.5970万元，并责令停止发布的行政处罚。
2019年6月，重庆市江北区市场监督管理局作出行政处罚，责令当事人停止违法行为，并处罚款20万元。
欧莱雅方面被认定虚构使用商品的效果，违反了《中华人民共和国广告法》第二十八条第二款第（四）项之规定。