FAQ - L'Oréal Paris

Do you test your products on animals?

L'Oréal Paris has not used an animal laboratory to test our cosmetics products since 1989.

European and national level regulations mean that manufacturers must conduct tests on animals to guarantee the safety and tolerance of the chemical ingredients they use.

For 20 years, L'Oréal Paris has taken significant steps to research, develop and validate alternative methods to laboratory animal testing.

Beyond the progress already accomplished, industry and university researchers must embrace a new challenge in years to come: to develop new, regulatory approved, alternative ways to evaluate chemical ingredients in the domains of toxicology where such methods no longer exist.

L'Oréal Paris aspires to a total elimination of laboratory animal testing. Our group is an active member of the European Partnership for the Development of Alternative Methods, put in place by the European Commission in November 2005. We aim to do everything reasonably possible to promote this programme through our actions.

The recent acquisition of the Skin Ethic tissue engineering organisation is testament to this ongoing concern and confirms the leading position of our group - L'Oréal - in the domain of alternative research methods.

For more information, please see www.invitroskin.com

How can I obtain a list of ingredients for a product?

The European Community has required the cosmetics industry to write all ingredients on each product for greater transparency. The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) aims to harmonize labelling on a European level. Ingredients are listed on product packaging by their INCI name so they appear standardised across European countries. If you want any extra information, please contact a Consumer Advisor for L'Oréal Paris Cosmetics on UK: 0800 0304 033 or EIRE: 1800 818 673.

Is your packaging recyclable?

L'Oréal Paris tries to simplify the packaging of our cosmetics and toiletry products, whilst placing the safety of our consumers above all other concerns.

Product packaging has an important function in protecting the product. Our products are destined to come into contact with the outer parts of the body, their packaging must give them protection and innocuousness on a micro-biological and allergic level. Because eliminating PVC was problematic, in recent years we have taken initiatives such as replacing it with other materials that conserve our formulas in satisfactory conditions.

Collectively, initiatives such as these reduce our products' impact on the environment.

It is important to remember our concern for customers' safety. Our products are ultimately used in bathrooms and sometimes on children. If a glass product were to fall or break, it could cause injury; plastic packaging does not present this type of risk.

Additionally, plastic packaging can be incinerated. With filters in place to treat emissions, the incineration of plastic packaging does not pose an atmospheric problem. It is also worth noting that transporting plastic packaging is both more economically and environmentally efficient than transporting glass; there is less impact on the environment due to a lighter transport requirement, resulting in lower energy use.

What is the shelf life of your products?

Unopened and protected from excess heat and humidity, L'Oréal Paris skincare products have a shelf life of 3 years. To find out the date of manufacture and use by date, simply tell us with the production number (2 letters followed by 3 numbers) printed on the pack.

After opening, your product will last for several months as long as it is protected from ambient temperature, and used in a clean environment, never mixed with other products and carefully closed after each use.

If you want any extra information, please contact a Consumer Advisor for L'Oréal Paris Skin Care on UK: 0800 0304 032 or EIRE: 1800 818 672.

What is the shelf life of L'Oréal Paris skincare products?

Unopened and protected from excess heat and humidity, L'Oréal Paris skincare products have a shelf life of 3 years. To find out the date of manufacture and use by date, simply tell us with the production number (2 letters followed by 3 numbers) printed on the pack. The maximum number of months for which you can use a product after opening it is shown by a symbol with a number followed by the letter M on the pack.

After opening, your product will last for several months as long as it is protected from ambient temperature, and used in a clean environment, never mixed with other products and carefully closed after each use.

If you want any extra information, please contact a Consumer Advisor for L'Oréal Paris Skin Care on UK: 0800 0304 032 or EIRE: 1800 818 672.

Self-tanning tips

• Choose a light- or medium-toned product, which tends to look more natural.

• Before using the product, wash and exfoliate your skin with a wash cloth or sponge to remove excess dead skin cells to avoid a streaky or patchy result.

• Women should shave their legs 12 hours prior application for an even result.

• Apply the tanning product evenly and lightly. Use less product on dry skin or thickened skin, such as over your ankles, knees and elbows. These areas tend to absorb more product.

• Five to ten minutes after applying a sunless tanner, rub areas such as elbows and knees with a little lotion to lighten the effect.

• Rub lotion around wrists and backs of hands to blend with arms.

• Rub lotion around ankles and tops of feet to blend with legs.

• After you apply the product to your face and body, wash your hands with soap and water to avoid colouring your palms & wet wipe for the soles of your feet. Be sure to remove any product from under your fingernails. Then use a cotton ball to apply the tanner to the top of each hand.

• To prevent staining your clothes, wait until the tanner dries completely, about 20 to 30 minutes.

• Most tanning products don't contain a sunscreen and, therefore, don't protect your skin from sun damage. If you spend time outdoors, be sure to apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 before going outside.

• Apply moisturiser to your "tan" every day to avoid the result fading in patches.

Are there factors that encourage the appearance of dandruff?

Many factors can have an influence: a hormonal imbalance, stress, excessive sweating, inappropriate or overly-aggressive shampoo, over energetic scalp massaging, changes in temperature (particularly in winter where you often move from the cold outside into the warm).

Does dandruff affect men and women equally?

Yes. Dandruff affects around 45% of the population, regardless of gender or ethnicity.

Does the appearance of dandruff depend on age or other factors?

No, it is not affected by age. On the other hand, external factors such as stress, pollution… or internal factors such as seborrhoea can upset the microbial balance and accelerate the cycle of scalp renewal causing the appearance of flakes.

How do you tell whether you have dry or greasy dandruff?

Dry flakes are small, white or grey in colour and fall from the hair like snowflakes at the slightest touch. They are usually found in dry or normal scalps.

Greasy dandruff is more voluminous and appears clumped together by sebum that acts like glue on greasy scalps.

What can I do to get the best results from the products?

Follow this routine when using shampoo:

Wet your hair well. Place shampoo in the palms of your hands and spread it through the whole of your hair. Gently massage your scalp in circular movements with your fingertips (do not rub or scratch) then the length of your hair. Leave for 2 or 3 minutes before rinsing.

What causes dandruff?

Malassezia Ovalis is a micro-organism of the yeast family which represents around 45% of the micro-flora activity in a healthy scalp. In some people, this yeast proliferates and causes an immune reaction in the scalp. Skin flaking on the scalp accelerates causing the appearance of dandruff.

What is dandruff?

Dandruff is an abnormal activation of skin cells in the scalp which then flake off.

Why is itching linked to dandruff?

Dandruff causes scalp irritation. This in turn causes itching which exacerbates the problem. You need to stop the itching in order to break this vicious cycle.

If dandruff is not treated in its entirety, the spiral is not broken and flakes can return in time.

After application, how can I avoid colour from running down my face?

To avoid the colour running down your face, clean away any excess product from your skin with cotton wool or a sponge

Are allergic reactions preventable and if so how can they be avoided?

Skin allergies to hair colourants can be avoided. Potential reactions can be detected by carrying out the skin allergy test as directed, 48 hours before you wish to use the product. This test is proven to be 100% predictive (Krasteva et al., European Journal of Dermatology, 2002 & 2005). That is why we clearly display important safety instructions on all of our products.

SKIN ALLERGY TEST

IMPORTANT : HAIR COLOURANTS CAN CAUSE AN ALLERGIC REACTION, WHICH IN CERTAIN RARE CASES MAY BE SEVERE.

A SKIN ALLERGY TEST MUST BE DONE 48 HOURS BEFORE EACH TIME YOU WISH TO USE THIS PRODUCT.

DO NOT USE :

If you have already had a reaction to a hair colourant.

If you have an itchy or damaged scalp.

BLACK HENNA TATTOO: if you have ever had a black henna tattoo, even a long time ago, you are very likely to have become allergic without realising it. Take no risk. Never use this product unless you have done the skin allergy test 48 hours before use.

BUY THE PRODUCT IN ADVANCE TO ALLOW FOR THE 48 HOURS SKIN ALLERGY TEST.

Are hair colorant allergies common?

No, they are very rare. Many people can be allergic to a vast number of substances, including foods and natural products.

On the contrary, reactions to hair colorants remain extremely rare. These reactions can occur for a very small number of people especially if they have previously had a temporary tattoo, such as a “black henna” tattoo.

Are hair dyes safe?

Hair colourants have been extensively studied and their safety has been repeatedly confirmed by independent scientists and regulatory authorities alike. Consumers can continue to use our hair colourants with confidence when all instructions are followed correctly.

Hair colorants are one of the most thoroughly studied consumer products on the market today and their safety is supported by a wealth of scientific research. The European cosmetics industry takes its responsibility to consumers seriously and, together with the European Commission and EU member states, continues to confirm the safety of hair colorants on the EU market.

SKIN ALLERGY TEST

IMPORTANT : HAIR COLOURANTS CAN CAUSE AN ALLERGIC REACTION, WHICH IN CERTAIN RARE CASES MAY BE SEVERE.

A SKIN ALLERGY TEST MUST BE DONE 48 HOURS BEFORE EACH TIME YOU WISH TO USE THIS PRODUCT.

DO NOT USE :

If you have already had a reaction to a hair colourant.

If you have an itchy or damaged scalp.

BLACK HENNA TATTOO: if you have ever had a black henna tattoo, even a long time ago, you are very likely to have become allergic without realising it. Take no risk. Never use this product unless you have done the skin allergy test 48 hours before use.

BUY THE PRODUCT IN ADVANCE TO ALLOW FOR THE 48 HOURS SKIN ALLERGY TEST.

Are L’Oreal’s hair colorants safe to use?

The safety of our consumers is extremely important to L’Oréal and all our products are safe when used correctly.

We prominently display important safety instructions on all of our products - both on the outer pack and the instruction leaflet contained inside. These instructions provide directions for carrying out a skin allergy test which will detect potential allergic reactions.

Can anyone colour their hair at home?

The possibilities for at-home colouring are numerous - you can colour grey hair, play with tints or colour nuances, or do highlights… the only difficulty arises if your hair is damaged. Start with a care programme to improve your hair’s condition, such as the Elvive Colour Protect Range.

How do you choose the right shade based on your natural hair colour?

A good guide is to remain two shades lighter or darker than your natural colour. When lightened, dark hair tends to turn red. Golden and caramel tones are generally very well suited to dark hair.

How does L’Oréal help consumers who may have experienced a reaction?

Our first priority is the well-being of our customers and we will assist them through our dedicated advisory service. This may involve the offer of medical assistance to help determine the cause of any allergic reaction and to help avoid such an experience in the future.

Our dedicated consumer advisory service number is clearly displayed on all of our packaging and on our website. The number for L’Oréal Paris hair colorants advisory line is: 0845 399 1939.

How long should I wait to colour my hair after relaxing it?

When you relax your hair you should wait a minimum of 2 weeks before colouring it. Always read the instructions for use.

How often would you recommend colouring your hair at home?

It all depends on the colour you are using and the condition of your hair. The colour of the roots is also crucial: are they grey, or very different from the colour of the ends? Every 3 to 6 weeks on average is normal.

I have a pale complexion. What colours would you suggest are most suitable?

If you have a pale complexion, warm tones are very flattering and will brighten your skin and appearance.

Is PPD safe to use in hair colorants?

PPD is the most widely used permanent hair dye ingredient on the market used by many manufacturers worldwide. PPD is approved by the European authorities for use in hair colorants everywhere in the European Union and is also widely used internationally.

What are the general criteria you would recommend that a woman follows when choosing a hair colour?

In general, a woman should stay close to her natural hair colour. A successful hair colour is one that enhances a woman’s eyes, skin and actual hair texture and most of all, a colour that cares about hair condition through nourishing care.

What are the most common mistakes to avoid?

The most common mistake is not wanting to work with what you have and going for a radical change. If you work with nature, emphasising your best features, you always get a successful result.

What do I do if my hair is very long?

You will need to use at least 2 boxes depending on the length and thickness of the hair.

What to remember when carrying out the skin allergy reaction test ?

Follow very carefully the safety instructions found in your product .

Carry out the allergy test before each and every time you wish to use a hair colorant.

Carry out the test a full 48 hours before you wish to use the product and check / ask someone to check the site of application for any redness, itchiness or swelling. Do not use the product if you experience any of these reactions or if you have ever previously had such a reaction to a hair colorant.

Contact our consumer advisory service if you are unsure or need further advice.

When applying a colorant – how can I avoid getting stains on the skin?

To avoid staining skin, you need to apply lots of intensive moisturising cream to the hairline – try to keep within this line.

Where else can I find further information about hair colorants?

You can obtain extensive information regarding the safety of hair colorants and ingredients through the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumery Association either by contacting them on tel: 020 7491 8891 or by visiting their website at www.ctpa.org.uk

Where else can I find further information about hair colorants?

You can obtain extensive information regarding the safety of hair colorants and ingredients through the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumery Association either by contacting them on tel: 020 7491 8891 or by visiting their website at www.ctpa.org.uk.

Why do henna tattoos increase the risk of an allergic reaction?

Temporary tattoos are increasingly popular but they are not always safe. A significant increase in the risk of allergic reaction has recently been noted in the media, resulting from the popularity of such tattoos.

This is because black henna tattoos illegally contain an ingredient called PPD which is strictly forbidden for such usage. For hair colourants, however, the use of PPD is formally authorised by regulatory bodies.

SKIN ALLERGY TEST

IMPORTANT : HAIR COLOURANTS CAN CAUSE AN ALLERGIC REACTION, WHICH IN CERTAIN RARE CASES MAY BE SEVERE.

A SKIN ALLERGY TEST MUST BE DONE 48 HOURS BEFORE EACH TIME YOU WISH TO USE THIS PRODUCT.

DO NOT USE :

If you have already had a reaction to a hair colourant.

If you have an itchy or damaged scalp.

BLACK HENNA TATTOO: if you have ever had a black henna tattoo, even a long time ago, you are very likely to have become allergic without realising it. Take no risk. Never use this product unless you have done the skin allergy test 48 hours before use.

BUY THE PRODUCT IN ADVANCE TO ALLOW FOR THE 48 HOURS ALLERGY TEST.