Nicolas Hieronimus

Actions involving hair relaxers were consolidated before the Northern District of Illinois. Claimants allege links between use of certain products and cancers or other illnesses, with several L'Oréal entities among the defendants.

State of the evidence

Documented

In 2024, press investigations identified PFAS in cosmetics sold in France, including certain products from L'Oréal brands. The group stated that it had begun phasing them out in 2018 and would end production of formulations containing PFAS ingredients by the end of 2025.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

In 2026, the British Advertising Standards Authority upheld a complaint against a Garnier advertisement claiming reduced hyperpigmentation within two weeks, finding that the advertising wording was insufficiently substantiated as presented.

State of the evidence

Documented

In June 2026, Linda Anderson-West's complaint concerning hair relaxer products named L'Oréal USA, SoftSheen-Carson and Nicolas Hieronimus among the defendants. The case was transferred to the Northern District of Illinois as part of the multidistrict litigation.

Attribution

Accused

After the invasion of Ukraine, L'Oréal closed its own shops, suspended investment and withdrew most of its brands from Russia, but retained residual activity involving products it described as essential. Shareholders and NGOs questioned the group about tax revenues generated by this presence.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Consumers brought class actions against L'Oréal USA alleging that several waterproof mascaras contained undisclosed PFAS. In September 2024, a federal court allowed several causes of action for certain claimants to proceed while dismissing others.

State of the evidence

Documented

In 2017, L'Oréal Paris removed model and activist Munroe Bergdorf from its True Match campaign following statements published after the Charlottesville events. In 2020, after L'Oréal expressed support for Black Lives Matter, Bergdorf accused the group of hypocrisy, recalling her dismissal.

State of the evidence

Documented

In June 2020, L'Oréal announced that it would remove wording referring to skin whitening or lightening from product descriptions amid growing criticism of cosmetics associated with colourism. Hieronimus was then the group's deputy chief executive.

State of the evidence

Documented

In 2016, Lancôme cancelled a promotional concert by Hong Kong singer Denise Ho following a campaign of criticism linked to her pro-democracy positions. Nicolas Hieronimus was then head of L'Oréal Luxe. The cancellation prompted demonstrations, boycott calls and temporary closures of Lancôme shops in Hong Kong.

State of the evidence

Documented