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Beauty firms chase 'Ozempic face' market as weight-loss drugs boom. By Reuters Last Updated: Oct 21, 2026, 11:32:00 AM IST Galderma, Natura, and L'Oreal are developing treatments for consumers experiencing facial sagging due to rapid weight loss. These companies are responding to increased demand linked to the popularity of GLP-1 obesity drugs. Experts indicate that rapid weight loss may lead to skin laxity and diminished facial volume. While existing treatments show promise, some limitations remain in addressing deeper facial structure issues. Swiss skincare firm Galderma, Brazilian cosmetics group Natura and beauty giant L'Oreal are testing treatments for consumers worried about facial sagging and volume loss, looking to capitalise on a growing market tied to the boom in obesity drugs. The companies are targeting concerns known as" Ozempic face ," a term that emerged as the diabetes drug became widely associated with weight loss. Experts say the loss of facial volume is linked to rapid weight loss rather than GLP-1 drugs themselves. You May Like GLP-1 drugs, such as Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound, help people to lose weight by mimicking a hormone that keeps the stomach feeling full. Along with gastrointestinal side effects, the resulting rapid weight loss can also lead to loose skin on the face and body. Pfizer estimates the obesity drug market could reach $150 billion in annual sales by 2030, helping create a potentially lucrative opportunity for skincare and medical aesthetics companies as more patients seek treatments for skin laxity and facial volume loss after rapid weight loss. Revenue from these clinical treatments is projected to grow from about $700 million to $2 billion over the next five years, according to 2025 estimates by Boston Consulting Group. Michael Somenek, a Washington, DC-based facial plastic surgeon and clinical associate professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine, said he had seen a surge of requests for treatment by GLP-1 patients in the past year. "When you're looking at a large amount of weight loss over four to six months, that can really have impact on the volume within your face," he said. Companies chase the opportunity. Galderma, 20%-owned by L'Oreal, ran a study last year evaluating how some of its existing treatments perform on skin changes associated with GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. "Sagginess is a concern, loss of firmness is a concern, some hollowness can be of concern and dullness can be a concern," said Anne-Cecile Chevrier, global head of injectable aesthetics at Galderma. The Swiss company makes Sculptra, a treatment that stimulates natural collagen, and Restylane, a dermal filler made with hyaluronic acid. Chevrier said that although the treatments were not approved specifically for GLP-1 users, Galderma is working with tens of thousands of plastic surgeons and other aestheticians globally who market them to patients on weight-loss drugs. In the United States, 53% of aesthetics clinics anticipate an influx of new patients due to prescription weight-loss medications, according to a 2024 report by research firm Medical Insight, and 43% believe the increased use of these medications will drive demand for treatments addressing weight-loss-medication-induced facial changes. L'Oreal is also exploring this market. "We are now testing products on GLP-1 users in separate studies, as this group of consumers is becoming increasingly important and represents a significant number of people worldwide," said Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, L'Oreal's chief innovation and prospective officer. Manuel Krauss, Natura's chief innovation and R&D officer, said the company is testing existing products directly with GLP-1 users and developing a new generation of treatments. "GLP-1 is creating new beauty needs at unprecedented speed, but it is also showing us that the future of beauty cannot be defined by creams alone," Krauss said, noting that future innovation may combine different formats such as supplements and ingestibles. A more complicated picture. Other factors can be at play in patients experiencing skin or facial volume issues. According to analysts at the US health policy organisation KFF, GLP-1 drugs are used most widely by adults aged 50 to 64, an age group already experiencing declines in collagen and, particularly among menopausal women, estrogen production. "We don't have the research and it is probably going to be a challenging study to do because most of the female patients (on GLP-1 drugs) are perimenopausal or postmenopausal," said Heidi Young, a Northern California-based physician associate and co-owner of R+H Aesthetic Medicine. She added that some people taking GLP-1 drugs do not eat nutritious food often, which could also affect their skin: "I think it's definitely multifactorial and I don't think there is a direct answer." Do the products work? Beibei Du-Harpur, a consultant dermatologist and clinical lecturer at King's College London, said the term "Ozempic face" is misleading. "The drug doesn't melt your collagen - simply losing weight in a more sustainable, less rapid way would reduce some of the more severe changes people see." Experts said some skincare products may improve the appearance and quality of skin affected but cannot fully address the underlying loss of facial volume. "To a certain extent some of these creams can be helpful," said Dr Graeme Glass, plastic and craniofacial surgeon and aesthetic director at British beauty brand LYMA. Creams can work on the epidermis and contain molecules small enough to reach the dermis. "What they can't really do is they can't alter the ligamental structure of your face," he said. "They can't reposition the deep fat pads of the face... there is a limit to what these things can do." Du-Harpur said beauty companies were "all desperately trying to develop a GLP-1-targeting product." She said treatments such as fillers that use injections worked better than creams as they could reach the dermis, the middle and thickest layer of human skin. "What's actually losing volume is the layer below that - the fat layer - and there has never been any evidence that topical skincare products can reach that fat layer."

Galderma showcases its injectable aesthetic products in Dubai. 21 October 2026 10:17 Supporting partner. Zug/Dubai - Galderma is currently showcasing its portfolio of injectable aesthetic products at the AMWC in Dubai. The company is presenting the potential applications of Relfydess, Sculptra and Restylane, as well as data from various related studies. (CONNECT) Galderma, a dermatology company based in Zug, is presenting its portfolio of injectable aesthetic products at the Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress 2026 (AMWC) in Dubai. According to a statement, the focus is on highlighting the complementary benefits of Sculptra and Restylane as well as pooled phase III study data for Relfydess. The company is also hosting a symposium and six Meet-the-Expert sessions on the potential applications of Relfydess, Sculptra and the Restylane range. The AMWC is currently taking place in Dubai from 21 to 23 October 2026. Sculptra is a regenerative biostimulator from Galderma that is now also approved in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for use on other areas of the body beyond the face. According to Galderma, there are "complementary benefits of Sculptra and Restylane Skinboosters in the posterior thighs and gluteal area for comprehensive body rejuvenation". Restylane Skinboosters is an injectable product for the correction of moderate to severe wrinkles. The Restylane product line also includes Restylane Shaype, Restylane Lyft and Restylane Volyme. According to the studies, these products are reportedly suitable for treating the chin, jawline, temples and lower face. Among other treatments, Relfydess can be used for frown lines (glabellar lines) and crow's feet (lateral canthal lines), where the company reports its efficacy has been demonstrated by studies. "Data from the RELAX and EXPRESSION imaging trials confirmed early and sustained improvements in wrinkle morphology and dynamic skin strain" following treatment with Relfydess, as Galderma explains. ce/nta

Galderma showcases data from its Injectable Aesthetics portfolio at AMWC Dubai 2026. Published on 10/21/2026 at 06:20 am EDT S&P Capital IQ Galderma showcased data from its Injectable Aesthetics portfolio at the Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress (AMWC) taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from October 21-23, 2026. The company will present eight scientific abstracts, alongside a symposium and six Meet-the-Expert sessions, all highlighting the expanding benefits of Relfydess, Sculptra, and the Restylane range. Data on Sculptra, the first proven regenerative biostimulator, will be shared at AMWC Dubai, following its approval in the UAE expanding its current clinical application for the face to include key body areas: the gluteal area, posterior thighs and décolletage. Guidance from an international consensus panel of 11 experts will be presented, outlining evidence-based recommendations on appropriate combination strategies across approved body indications. The recommendations highlight the complementary benefits of Sculptra and Restylane SkinboostersTM in the posterior thighs, and gluteal area, for comprehensive body rejuvenation. Data from Restylane ShaypeTM? the first-and-only hyaluronic acid (HA) shaper developed with novel NASHA-HD? technology as well as expanded indications for Restylane LyftTM and Restylane VolymeTM* are being presented with clinical evidence in the chin, jawline, temples, and lower face. Across four studies, Restylane delivered well-tolerated, effective, and long-lasting aesthetic improvements in multiple facial regions, consistently achieving high responder rates and high subject satisfaction. Additionally, addressing the growing demand for body rejuvenation, data evaluating the effectiveness and safety of Restylane Skinboosters for correction of moderate-to-severe wrinkles in the décolletage will be shared at the congress, noting that the product was well tolerated and highly efficacious, with high patient satisfaction. In a dedicated symposium, international experts will discuss best practices for use of Galderma?s Injectable Aesthetics portfolio for the body through the AART? (Assessment, Anatomy, Range, and Treatment) of Body - a patient-centric technique to evaluate needs and create structured individualized treatment plans. Content will highlight the UAE expanded indications for Sculptra in the gluteal area, posterior thighs, and décolletage. Galderma will also share insights from a global survey of over 4,300 women across nine countries on menopause-related skin changes and aesthetic treatment considerations. Biostimulators and dermal fillers were the most frequently considered treatments for menopause-related facial and skin changes, with 80% of patients looking for information on Sculptra, and 75% for information on the Restylane range. Congress data also reinforces Sculptra?s ability to deliver long-term improvements in the mechanical properties of the skin, through volume restoration, improved elasticity and skin thickness. Seven experts evaluated the biostimulatory properties of Sculptra, with consensus on its key role in the regenerative aesthetic field. Data from the RELAX and EXPRESSION imaging trials confirmed early and sustained improvements in wrinkle morphology and dynamic skin strain in frown lines (glabellar lines) and crow?s feet (lateral canthal lines) following treatment with Relfydess. These findings reinforce that Relfydess delivers a rapid onset, durable efficacy, and measurable improvements in both patient-reported outcomes and skin dynamics. Pooled phase III study data for Relfydess to be presented shows improvement in moderate-to-severe frown lines and crow?s feet for both toxin-naïve and previously treated patients. Galderma will also present expert-led consensus recommendations that address key unmet needs in real-world clinical practice, offering clear, practical guidance for optimal dosing, injection patterns and treatment planning with Relfydess. Relfydess, Sculptra, and Restylane are approved in various countries around the world; approved indications vary by market. Restylane Volyme is approved as Restylane Contour in the United States. (C) S&P Capital IQ - 2026