Sephora

Sephora is a multinational beauty retailer owned by LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), a French luxury conglomerate. It offers a wide range of cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, and beauty tools. Sephora is currently newsworthy due to an investigation launched by the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM). The AGCM is investigating Sephora and Benefit Cosmetics (also owned by LVMH) over concerns about potentially deceptive marketing practices targeting children and adolescents. Specifically, the investigation focuses on the promotion of adult cosmetic products, including anti-aging creams, to young people, potentially fueling an unhealthy obsession with skincare known as "cosmeticorexia." The AGCM is examining whether these marketing strategies exploit vulnerabilities and promote premature use of cosmetics. This investigation highlights growing concerns about the impact of beauty marketing on young people's mental health and self-esteem.