Research & Industry October 30, 2026

GLP-1 Weight Management Brings New Questions to Skin Care

Consumer-reported changes and early product studies are shaping how skin-care companies approach people using weight-management medications.

GLP-1
skin care
clinical evidence

Weight management brings skin care into a new growth discussion

As use of GLP-1 medicines expands, weight management is changing the skin and hair concerns of some users. In its 2026 half-year results, L’Oréal highlighted a SkinCeuticals serum that had been clinically tested for the needs of people using GLP-1 medicines. ^[1]

For brands, a more specific set of needs is emerging. Some people are concerned about facial laxity; others focus on skin texture or hair appearance. Those concerns can arise at different points in weight management, creating opportunities for products and professional services to work together over time.

Understanding what users report

A US cross-sectional survey by L’Oréal Research & Innovation researchers collected responses from 504 adults using GLP-1 or dual GLP-1/GIP medicines. In this predominantly female group, 38.7% reported skin changes and 38.9% reported hair changes; 92.0% were satisfied with their treatment. Reported skin changes included facial volume, laxity and jawline appearance, while hair reports included shedding and thinning. ^[2]

For a brand, the survey helps turn distinct concerns into clear product questions: which aspects of appearance might be addressed through daily care, which call for professional assessment, and what can be measured over continued use?

From a single product to ongoing care

Weight management can extend over a long period. The US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases notes that a clinician may recommend continuing a weight-management medicine when it remains effective and does not cause serious side effects. ^[3]

That creates a time dimension for care. During weight change, a person may focus on skin texture and comfort; as needs evolve, they may also discuss facial contours, laxity or other concerns with a professional. Daily products can be connected with follow-up and professional services, creating a longer relationship around care.

For companies, the opportunity is to meet defined needs over time: develop formats people can use consistently, help professionals understand where products fit, and evaluate results with appropriate measures.

L’Oréal: connecting daily care with a professional procedure

L’Oréal’s 2026 half-year CEO presentation showed GLP-1-related launches from SkinCeuticals, Redken and Kiehl’s across skincare and haircare. Its brands and channels offer different ways to address the needs of a shared population. ^{[1, 4]}

A SkinCeuticals-funded study enrolled 25 GLP-1 medicine users in a randomized, double-blind, split-face and split-neck comparison. Participants applied a topical regimen to one side and a control formulation to the other. At four weeks, blinded image assessment reported a 16% reduction from baseline in facial laxity on the regimen side, compared with 1% on the control side. ^[5]

Participants then received one focused ultrasound procedure and continued their assigned topical regimens for eight more weeks. At week 12, facial laxity scores were 44% and 24% below baseline on the regimen and control sides respectively, reflecting a sequence that combined ultrasound with continued topical care. ^[5]

The study illustrates a product-development pathway: daily care begins before a professional procedure and continues afterward. Brands can design a regimen around those stages, while professionals can connect a single visit with subsequent care.

Allergan and Galderma: different ways to serve the same population

Allergan Aesthetics reported two single-center studies in people using medical weight-loss medicines. Nine participants completed one 12-week skincare regimen; 11 received at least one post-treatment assessment in a separate six-week study combining dermabrasion with skincare. Assessments covered the face, neck and selected body areas, including measures of dryness, tone evenness and texture. ^[6]

Galderma approached facial volume and contours through a US study of people experiencing facial volume loss after medication-driven weight loss. In an open-label study, the company evaluated a combination of Sculptra and products from its Restylane range, with follow-up through nine months. ^[7]

At-home care, professional dermabrasion and injectable treatments serve different needs. Together, these initiatives show how one population can connect brand products, professional expertise and ongoing care.

The next competition is in products and evidence

Growth in the GLP-1 user population creates opportunities for skin-health companies to connect research, product design and channels. To understand how this opportunity develops, companies can track the needs people report, the options they choose and how long they continue care.

For formulation and delivery teams, the next step is to select actives and formats for a defined need, establish how the product will be used, and evaluate performance with suitable skin measures. Connecting those steps can help turn a new population need into products and services built for continued use.

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Sources

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