Research and philanthropy have been prominent throughout the company’s history. The International Center for Dermatological Research was created in 1979, where scientists developed reconstructed skin in order to stop testing finished products on animals. UNESCO paired with L’Oréal to create the For Women in Science program in 1998. In 2003, the company opened the L’Oréal Institute for Ethnic Hair & Skin Research in Chicago to respond to the needs of a large consumer demographic.