Mumbai: If a beauty product can survive an Indian summer, it can succeed anywhere, according to the world's biggest cosmetics company L'Oreal. "India is a fantastic laboratory for the rest of the world," Jacques Lebel, managing director at L'Oreal India, told ET, in his first media interaction since taking charge last year. "When we have products that work in India, we know they are going to be big global hits." Lebel said India's diverse weather including intense heat and humidity, and varied skin and hair types make the country a demanding testing ground for beauty innovation."It's hot, it's humid, and there are some skin concerns that are very unique," he said. "What you have in India is a fantastic laboratory and also a torture test to develop the most demanding formulas in the world."India resetThe India chief's comments come at a time when L'Oreal is attempting to revitalise the company's operations in a market that has become one of the most competitive beauty battlegrounds globally.After years of rapid expansion, the company's sales growth slowed sharply to about 5% in FY25 from 14% in FY24, and nearly 30% in the two years prior, as local digital-first brands and global rivals gained momentum.Under Lebel, who has been tasked with reigniting growth, the Indian business expanded 17% in the first six months of 2026. The 40-year old executive has overseen L'Oreal's investment in homegrown beauty startup Innovist, expanded dermatological skincare brands CeraVe and La Roche-Posay, besides accelerating the group's Global Beauty Tech Hub in Hyderabad. "The mandate everywhere in L'Oreal is to grow and grow faster than the market," said Lebel. "That's what drives the company, whether you manage France, the US, China or India." Lebel previously served as general manager of the consumer products division for L'Oreal in Mexico, where he significantly expanded business growth. Prior to L'Oreal, Lebel held senior marketing and general management roles at companies, including P&G and AB InBev across Europe, India, the Middle East, and Africa.Despite operating for more than three decades in India, the French beauty company's business in the country remains below $1 billion, contributing less than 2% of its annual sales globally."But India brings an additional flavour because the market is growing very fast," said Lebel. "Today, we estimate it is growing around 10%, and we expect it to continue growing double digits until 2030." Lebel highlighted Innovist's ability to connect with younger consumers through social networks, ecommerce, and digital communities. "They have their own platform where they sell their products," he said. "That's not something we are experts at, so it's good for us to learn how that's done." The Innovist deal underscores global beauty companies sharpening their focus on online-first brands for potential acquisitions to stay relevant with younger consumers. Hindustan Unilever acquired skincare brand Minimalist last year, in a deal estimated at around ₹3,000 crore, while Estee Lauder expanded its presence through luxury Ayurveda brand Forest Essentials.L'Oreal estimates its addressable consumer base in India at around 350 million people currently, with another 100 million expected to enter the segment over the next four years. According to Lebel, the rise of new brands is expanding the overall beauty market rather than only shifting market share. "These new brands bring a lot of excitement to the category and drive attention to beauty, which is in everyone's interest," said Lebel. "But fundamentally the game has not changed. It is about understanding consumer needs and coming up with products that satisfy, and ideally exceed, these expectations."Beauty labL'Oreal is also attempting to balance mass-market reach with premiumisation. While the company has traditionally been associated with aspirational beauty, Lebel said India requires a broader approach. "India is not a country of 'or'. It is a country of 'and'," he said."We have learned how to play the game at different parts of the pyramid. We have products from ₹45 hair colour sachets to ₹20,000 fragrances. We are not in a situation where we say it is one or the other. It is both."India is already one of L'Oreal's most digital markets, with ecommerce accounting for over 30% of sales-above the group's global average.Beyond selling its global brands, L'Oreal increasingly sees India as a source of global innovation. The company's research teams in the country have developed products and technologies that have since travelled to other markets, including hair care formulations and products such as Garnier Men and Maybelline Colossal Kajal.