GLP-1 agonist drugs, such as the famous Ozempic, have several side effects like any drug. However, there is one visible one that greatly worries their users: sagging skin. Actually, it makes sense. When we lose weight too quickly, skin sags on both the body and face. For this reason, some brands, such as L’Oreal, have taken the opportunity to launch products on the market that promise to solve this problem. It didn’t take long for this cosmetic company to turn a profit, with 7.7% sales growth in the third quarter of 2026. It exceeded all analysts’ expectations and looks like it’s just getting started.
Two brands within L’Oreal. L’Oreal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus explained in a conference call with investors that the use of GLP-1 drugs is becoming a “very important event” for the company. Two of its brands, SkinCeuticals and Kiehl’s, have products specifically designed to be used in conjunction with these medications. Because of this, the cosmetic industry has greatly benefited from the rise of Ozympic.
Galderma participates more. Last year, the L’Oréal company increased its stake from 10% to 20% in Galderma, which has products specifically tested in clinical trials with patients taking GLP-1 agonist drugs. These are Sculptra and Restylane. The first is a polylactic acid injectable, which triggers a foreign body reaction in the skin and forces fibroblasts to produce more collagen. As for the second, it is a hyaluronic acid filler, which attracts water under the skin and restores some of the support that disappears with fat loss.
According to a Galderma survey of users of these products in combination with GLP-1 agonists, most noticed a change in their appearance. Arguably, there is a major conflict of interest if Golderma published the results themselves, but this does not necessarily invalidate the results.
This is not a direct effect of Ozempic. It should be noted that Ozempic or other GLP-1 agonists do not damage the skin. Sagging is only due to weight loss. And, broadly speaking, what these drugs do is mimic the effects of a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels through various mechanisms. One of them is the stimulation of insulin, another hormone responsible for helping cells to incorporate glucose circulating in the blood. The other consists of loss of appetite. It acts directly on the brain, reducing hunger signals, but also achieves this by slowing gastric emptying. If the stomach empties more slowly, patients feel more satiated.
Naturally, the GLP-1 hormone is very short-lived. However, its agonists stay in the body longer, so they perform their effects for longer. It increases satiety and reduces hunger. That is why you lose weight very quickly. It is true that these are drugs designed to treat diabetes or obesity, but it has been found that people who do not find a way to lose weight without obesity, can benefit from these injections.
Causes for uncomfortable sagging. Facial fat contributes to structural support. When we lose it little by little, for example through exercise, skin cells called fibroblasts continue to produce collagen and elastin, which helps the skin adapt to the loss of this support. The problem is, when the weight loss is too rapid, as happens with Ozempic, the fibroblasts cannot cope. This effect can occur in anyone, but especially in those over the age of 25-30, since from this age we begin to produce less collagen.
Although the ideal is to use GLP-1 agonists for health, it is undeniable that many people do so for aesthetics. What makes it even more uncomfortable is that one of its side effects is aesthetically unpleasing. However, no one likes a droopy face, regardless of the reason for the drug use. For this reason, L’Oreal has found a great vein to grab onto.
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