Discover the behind-the-scenes process of designing our dermo-cosmetic products

A consumer-centric approach

At the Pierre Fabre Group, we adopt an approach that places consumers at the heart of innovation. Our dermo-cosmetic products are developed for and with consumers in order to offer tailor-made solutions adapted to all skin and hair types, even the most sensitive. It all starts with a thorough understanding of unmet needs and scientific developments in dermatology. We identify specific expectations in terms of cosmetic care and the skin, hair and oral care issues that need to be addressed.

Careful selection of active ingredients

To develop dermo-cosmetic products that closely meet consumer needs, the search for innovative and effective active ingredients is a crucial step in Research and Development. Thanks to our dual expertise in pharmacology and toxicology, we develop, select, evaluate and qualify the most effective and safest ingredients to offer increasingly targeted and personalised cosmetic solutions.

Expertise in biotechnology and natural active ingredients

Biotechnology offers enormous potential for innovation. It enables large quantities of active ingredients to be produced from cultured cells, such as plant cells and microalgae. The Pierre Fabre Biotechnology unit has developed considerable expertise in plant cell culture, particularly in response to supply issues relating to rare or endangered plants. These cutting-edge techniques enable us to exploit the wealth of natural resources while ensuring their sustainability and minimising environmental impact. The plant-based active ingredients obtained in this way are not only effective in treating skin problems, but also respectful of the environment and biodiversity.

A perfect balance between efficacy, tolerance and sensoriality

Based on identified needs, our formulators carefully select each ingredient for its specific properties and combine them in different ways to optimise product stability and effectiveness. We take a minimalist approach with refined formulas that contain only what is necessary to promote the action of the active ingredients. Our goal is also to optimise the bioavailability of the active ingredients and ensure affinity with the skin and hair to respect their natural balance. Our experts are committed to using as many natural ingredients as possible and designing biodegradable formulas for rinse-off products. 

The texture and scent of our skin and hair products are carefully crafted and evaluated to offer users a pleasant sensory experience, in addition to skin benefits. In order to identify the best formulas, our Skin Research Centre conducts sensory analyses with a panel of trained consumers to test the cosmetic qualities of the products applied to the skin and hair.

Our regulatory affairs experts also ensure that our exclusive formulas comply with local and international cosmetic regulations. We impose strict rules on ourselves that go well beyond the required standards.

Safety is our priority. Every dermo-cosmetic product that comes onto the market is designed to guarantee maximum safety under normal conditions of use. This includes rigorous tolerance assessment, carried out at every stage of the development of all our products.

In-depth toxicological expertise

Our toxicology experts meticulously analyse the safety of each ingredient used in our exclusive formulas, as well as that of the finished products. Several key factors are taken into account during this assessment:

• The nature of the ingredient
• The concentration of the ingredient
• The length of contact with the skin and hair (rinse-off or leave-on product)
• The area of exposure (face, body or more sensitive areas)
• The end user of the product, particularly sensitive populations (babies, children, pregnant women, people with skin conditions)
• The packaging and method of application

Tests on healthy skin under medical supervision

The formula validated by our toxicologists is then subjected to dermatological sensitisation tests on healthy skin to assess the risk of allergies or irritation. In vivo skin and/or eye tolerance tests under normal conditions of use are then carried out under dermatological and/or ophthalmological supervision.

No animal testing

In accordance with regulations and our ethical commitment, no animal testing is carried out for the development of our dermo-cosmetic products, whether on raw materials or finished products. We use alternative methods such as in vitro studies on cell cultures.

We are committed to demonstrating the efficacy of all our dermo-cosmetic treatments through rigorous evaluations. Our goal is to ensure that our high-performance skincare products deliver visible results and meet the specific needs of each patient and consumer.

Clinically proven efficacy

Depending on the product's indication, we establish a specific clinical evaluation programme under medical supervision and on a variety of populations, ranging from infants to adults. Our dermo-cosmetic products are tested on all skin and hair types, as well as on patients with various dermatological conditions. Our most advanced studies are conducted in collaboration with international medical experts, ensuring rigorous scientific validation and optimal clinical relevance. We also rely on innovative imaging techniques and the latest skin technologies to objectively visualise the impact of our treatments on the structure and composition of the skin and hair.

Real-life usage tests

We conduct real-life usage tests, where our exclusive formulas are tested by a panel of consumers representative of regular users of each product category. These tests aim to assess user satisfaction based on several criteria, including perceived effectiveness, texture and product packaging. The results of these tests enable us to verify that our cosmetic products meet our consumers' expectations in terms of sensory experience, ease of use and, above all, effectiveness. té.

A research centre dedicated to skin and hair

Our Skin Research Centre in the south of France brings together a multidisciplinary team of 70 employees who design, conduct and supervise an average of more than 1,000 clinical studies per year.  The Clinical and Sensory Expertise department has a panel of more than 5,000 volunteers, both healthy and with dermatological conditions, to carry out in-house scientific research on humans.

Combining sustainable development

The Green Impact Index is a display tool that assesses the environmental and societal impacts of our products. With a view to transparency, ethics and sustainable development, it was developed in collaboration with the Green Impact Index Consortium, which brings together 21 founding members and associated brands. This rating system, ranging from A to E, takes into account more than 50 criteria to guide consumers towards informed choices.

The result of the collective work of 120 experts and scientists from 26 organisations, a precise methodology has been co-developed to measure and display the environmental and societal impacts of each cosmetic product. The objective is clear: to move towards more sustainable products by integrating various issues such as biodiversity, naturalness and social responsibility.

and local production

Made in France is at the heart of our commitment. Since the group was founded, we have been committed to controlling every stage of production, from growing the plants to manufacturing our products, in order to guarantee their quality. More than 90% of our production takes place in France, particularly in the Occitanie region, where all our research is carried out. This local commitment allows us to support the regional economy while enabling us to expand internationally.

Continuous monitoring of product safety

Consumer safety remains our priority, even after our cosmetic products have been placed on the market. That is why we have set up a cosmetovigilance service, inspired by our practices in pharmaceutical research and development. This service enables us to monitor, evaluate and improve the safety of all our dermo-cosmetic products.

Our network of cosmetovigilance experts continuously monitors the use of our dermo-cosmetic products. This specialised department collects, validates and analyses adverse events reported by users, applying rigorous and recognised methodologies. Each report is carefully examined to identify areas for improvement and ensure that our skin and hair products meet the highest safety standards.

Responses to consumers and quality monitoring

In addition to cosmetovigilance, a team of experts responsible for Medical Information responds to consumer questions and handles reports related to the use of cosmetic products, ensuring smooth and transparent communication with our customers. We also collect quality feedback from users in order to maintain and enhance the performance of our products and their packaging.

Post-marketing clinical studies

We conduct post-marketing clinical studies to continue evaluating the performance and safety of our dermo-cosmetic products once they are on the market. These studies allow us to observe the long-term impact of our skin and hair care products under real conditions of use and by a wide range of consumers. These evaluations, carried out in collaboration with medical experts, help us to adjust and optimise formulations where necessary, playing an essential role in the continuous improvement of our products and guaranteeing their quality throughout their life cycle.