Key Stats
Founded: 1935 in France
Parent Company: L’Oréal (acquired 1964)
Brand Value: $7.1 billion
Product Categories: Skincare, makeup, fragrances
Global Presence: 140+ countries
Lancôme is a French luxury cosmetics house that produces skincare, makeup, and fragrance products. The brand operates as part of L’Oréal’s Luxe division, which generates over €15 billion in annual revenue.
Armand Petitjean founded Lancôme in 1935 after working with legendary perfumer François Coty. The brand name comes from the forest of Lancosme in central France. Wild roses surrounding the nearby castle inspired the company’s golden rose emblem.
Lancôme launched five fragrances at the 1935 World’s Fair in Brussels. The brand expanded into skincare in 1936 with Nutrix repair cream. Today, Lancôme remains one of the top luxury beauty brands worldwide, with products sold in over 140 countries.
Lancôme History
1935
Armand Petitjean and Guillaume d’Ornano founded Lancôme in France. They launched five fragrances at the World’s Fair in Brussels: Tendre Nuit, Bocages, Conquête, Kypre, and Tropiques.
1936
Lancôme entered the skincare market with Nutrix, an all-purpose repair cream developed with Dr. Medynski and chemist Pierre Velon. The product remains in the Lancôme lineup today.
1938
Lancôme launched Rose de France lipstick and the Conquête face powder line. The makeup collection expanded across 18 shades and became a bestseller through the 1950s.
1952
Petitjean unveiled Magie and Trésor fragrances. These launches established him among France’s great perfumers and expanded Lancôme’s international reputation.
1964
L’Oréal acquired Lancôme and added it to the luxury products division. The rose became more than a symbol and was established as the brand’s signature ingredient.
2004
Lancôme introduced the Hypnôse mascara collection, which expanded to include multiple brush styles. The product became a cult favorite among beauty consumers.
2009
Lancôme released Advanced Génifique serum, pioneering microbiome skincare technology. The product won multiple beauty awards and remains the brand’s top-selling serum.
2020
Lancôme acquired Domaine de la Rose in Grasse, France. The estate preserves fragrance heritage and biodiversity as part of the brand’s sustainability program.
Lancôme Co-founders
Armand Petitjean
French perfumer who founded Lancôme at age 50 after working with François Coty. Petitjean created the brand’s first fragrances and built the “Versailles of perfumery” production plant at Chevilly-Larue.
Guillaume d’Ornano
Business partner who co-founded Lancôme with Petitjean in 1935. His wife Elisabeth chose the Lancôme name, inspired by the forest of Lancosme in central France.
Lancôme Competitors
Lancôme competes in the luxury beauty segment against major cosmetics brands from Estée Lauder Companies, LVMH, and Shiseido. The brand faces competition across skincare, makeup, and fragrance categories.
| Brand | Parent Company | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Estée Lauder | Estée Lauder Companies | Anti-aging skincare, makeup |
| Clinique | Estée Lauder Companies | Dermatologist-tested skincare |
| Chanel Beauty | Chanel | Luxury makeup, fragrances |
| Dior Beauty | LVMH | Prestige makeup, skincare |
| Yves Saint Laurent | L’Oréal | Luxury makeup, fragrances |
| Guerlain | LVMH | Heritage fragrances, skincare |
| Shiseido | Shiseido Company | Japanese skincare technology |
| La Mer | Estée Lauder Companies | Ultra-luxury skincare |
| Giorgio Armani Beauty | L’Oréal | Designer makeup, fragrances |
| Helena Rubinstein | L’Oréal | Premium anti-aging skincare |
Lancôme Brand Value
Lancôme holds an estimated brand value of $7.1 billion. The brand contributes significantly to L’Oréal’s Luxe division, which generated over €15 billion in revenue during 2023.
Lancôme Revenue (L’Oréal Luxe Division)
Lancôme operates within L’Oréal’s Luxe division alongside brands like Giorgio Armani and Yves Saint Laurent. The division grew from €10.18 billion in 2015 to over €15 billion in 2023, driven by strong fragrance and skincare sales.
Lancôme Acquisitions
Lancôme has grown primarily through product innovation rather than company acquisitions. The brand itself became an acquisition target in 1964 when L’Oréal purchased it to strengthen the luxury cosmetics portfolio.
Armand Petitjean initially sold Lancôme to his son in 1961. Three years later, the younger Petitjean sold the company to L’Oréal. This acquisition gave L’Oréal a flagship luxury brand that complemented its mass-market offerings through L’Oréal Paris.
Under L’Oréal ownership, Lancôme expanded its distribution network and product range. The brand acquired service networks and developed partnerships with retailers globally. In 2008, L’Oréal purchased Jet Aviation services, which enhanced distribution for luxury brands including Lancôme.
Lancôme made a significant property acquisition in 2020 when it purchased Domaine de la Rose in Grasse, France. The estate serves as the brand’s center for fragrance heritage and biodiversity preservation. Grasse remains the birthplace of modern perfumery, and this purchase connected Lancôme directly to French fragrance traditions.
The brand has also expanded through licensing agreements and celebrity partnerships. Lancôme works with actresses including Julia Roberts, Penélope Cruz, and Zendaya as brand ambassadors. These relationships help drive awareness in key markets across North America, Europe, and Asia.
L’Oréal continues to invest in Lancôme’s research capabilities. The parent company operates six worldwide research centers that support product development. Recent innovations include the HAPTA motion-stabilizing makeup applicator launched in 2025 and ongoing microbiome skincare research.
FAQs
Who founded Lancôme?
Armand Petitjean and Guillaume d’Ornano founded Lancôme in France in 1935. Petitjean was a perfumer who previously worked with François Coty before creating his own luxury beauty brand.
What does Lancôme sell?
Lancôme sells luxury skincare, makeup, and fragrance products. Popular items include Advanced Génifique serum, Teint Idole foundation, Hypnôse mascara, and La Vie Est Belle perfume.
Who owns Lancôme?
L’Oréal owns Lancôme. The French beauty conglomerate acquired the brand in 1964 and operates it within the L’Oréal Luxe division alongside Giorgio Armani Beauty and Yves Saint Laurent.
Where is Lancôme from?
Lancôme is from France. The brand was founded in 1935 and named after the forest of Lancosme in the Indre valley. Lancôme maintains headquarters in Paris.
Is Lancôme a luxury brand?
Yes, Lancôme is a luxury beauty brand. It operates in the prestige cosmetics segment with premium pricing and sells products through department stores, specialty retailers, and upscale beauty counters.