The company was founded as Laboratoires Garnier in 1904 by Frenchman Alfred Amour Garnier, with the launch of his first patented plant-based hair lotion, La Lotion Garnier. In the 1930s, Garnier was an early manufacturer of sun protection products and the first company to make a permanent, at-home hair dye in 1960. However, the company was acquired by L'Oréal in the 1970s.

Over the decades, Garnier has progressed from hair coloring and hair care to skin care since its acquisition in 1970. The company's image began to grow as a true beauty esthetician, providing natural-based solutions to combat pollution, acne, UV and fatigue. By using natural ingredients such as fruits, seeds, buds and flowers, Garnier considers these ingredients to have "highly beneficial" skin care and hair care properties.

Today, Garnier products are sold in many countries around the world, with specific product lines targeted to different cultures and skin types.