French beauty giant L’Oréal has announced an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Indian personal care startup Innovist, deepening its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing beauty and personal care markets. According to media reports, the transaction is expected to close in the coming months, subject to regulatory approvals. Financial details were not disclosed.
The acquisition brings Innovist’s portfolio of science-led, digital-first brands into L’Oréal’s fold, including Bare Anatomy, Chemist at Play, Sunscoop and Vinci Botanicals.
Founded in 2018 by Rohit Chawla, Sifat Khurana and Vimal Bhola, Innovist has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing beauty startups, building a strong consumer following through ingredient-focused formulations, digital distribution and direct-to-consumer engagement.
Welcoming Innovist to the group, Jacques Lebel, Managing Director, L’Oreal India said, “I am thrilled to share that L’Oréal has announced an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Innovist, one of India’s most exciting science-led and digital-first personal care companies. They share our belief that great beauty starts with science. They share our drive to do things differently, and to do things first. And in a remarkably short period of time, they have built something genuinely impressive. What excites me most about this partnership is the combination of Innovist’s entrepreneurial energy, agility and consumer understanding with L’Oréal’s science, Research & Innovation expertise and scale. Put simply: the best of India meets the best of L’Oréal.”
Innovist has built its reputation around specialised personal care categories. Bare Anatomy focuses on customised and targeted haircare solutions, while Chemist at Play has gained traction with active-ingredient-based skincare and body care products. Sunscoop caters to the growing sun-care segment with sunscreen-focused offerings, and Vinci Botanicals operates in botanical and wellness-oriented personal care.
The deal underscores L’Oréal’s increasing focus on India, where beauty consumption is being driven by a young, digitally engaged consumer base with rising disposable incomes.
