The creation of the Vichy brand was inspired by nature itself. The founders of the company were drawn to the healing properties of thermal springs in the French town of Vichy, which had long been renowned for their therapeutic effects. Eventually, it was decided to harness the power of this water for use in cosmetics.
Vichy is a renowned French cosmetics brand, a manufacturer of a wide range of therapeutic skincare products based on thermal water that slows down aging and offers rejuvenating effects.
Vichy products are crafted using a unique thermal water source located in the French town of Vichy, at a depth of 4,000 meters beneath the Earth’s surface.
At present, Vichy is one of the most prestigious luxury cosmetics brands worldwide and one of the largest brands in the European skincare market.
The birth of the brand (or a serendipitous encounter)
The company’s history traces back to 1931 when fate brought together Georges Guérin, the manager of the perfume company “Parfums Grenoville,” and Dr. Prosper Allera, the manager of the Vichy Thermal Community.
This fateful encounter occurred in the volcanic region of Auvergne in the town of Vichy. Guérin visited the region due to a long-uncured leg wound. While consulting the patient, Dr. Prosper recommended using thermal water from the Lucas spring to expedite wound healing. The results of the treatment exceeded all expectations—the wound healed quite rapidly. It was at this moment that the enterprising Guérin, an expert in the beauty industry, conceived the idea: why not incorporate this beneficial water into cosmetic products? This marked the beginning of the fruitful collaboration between these two brilliant individuals.
In the 1930s, they founded the Vichy Dermatological Hygiene Society and immersed themselves in their work.
Dr. Prosper Allera eventually developed unique formulas for skincare. For the first time in the history of cosmetology, he proposed classifying skin by type. This led to the creation of the revolutionary “Secret de VICHY” creams, which became a true revelation for consumers at that time.
They introduced eight unique products designed for caring for oily, dry, and excessively dry facial skin, all based on the therapeutic thermal water sourced from the most mineral-rich spring in France.
Simultaneously, they developed the first facial serum, establishing Vichy as a pioneer in the field of dermatocosmetology.
In 1955, the company came under the ownership of the cosmetic giant L’Oréal.
In 1961, just 4 kilometers away from the Vichy thermal springs, they established a production facility for beauty products. Today, these products are still developed at the same location, known for its dormant volcanoes.
By harnessing the power of nature and a scientific approach, Allera and Guérin succeeded in gaining recognition first in France and then far beyond its borders. Women from various corners of the world quickly appreciated cosmetics that took into account all the individual characteristics of their skin.
For a long time, the emblem of the brand was the image of the “woman at the spring”—a sculpture carved from marble by the renowned stone craftsman Albert Camus.
Production Features and Mission of Vichy
The brand collaborates closely with experts in dermatology, dietetics, and gynecology. Vichy laboratories are among the oldest cosmetic laboratories in the world. It is here that new formulas are developed—hypoallergenic and highly effective, capable of adapting to various needs of the skin.
Highly effective natural and synthetic components are used in the production of Vichy products, capable of influencing the functional activity of skin cells.
The main component is Vichy Thermal Water, enriched with 15 rare minerals, including manganese, potassium, and calcium. Only those aromatic additives that are not prohibited by EU legislation are used.
Before they are made available for sale, all Vichy products undergo testing using over 50 different methods and are subjected to clinical trials. Each active component and future cosmetic product goes through tests in laboratory conditions (in vitro) and then in clinical conditions (in vivo). Vichy products are not tested on animals!
The stability of the formula and the quality of the texture are systematically checked under a microscope. This is done to ensure that the product meets the high standards of the Vichy brand.
With over 85 years of continuous work, the company has gained invaluable knowledge that helps in developing effective cosmetics capable of addressing issues like dryness, loss of skin radiance, and various irritations and dermatological conditions.
Vichy’s mission is to create cosmetic products that allow women to feel healthy, young, and attractive regardless of their age, external factors, or lifestyle choices.
One of the brand’s key features is addressing the root causes of skin issues rather than merely superficial correction.
In Harmony with Nature
The brand is highly committed to environmental concerns. During the formulation process of each formula, Vichy specialists prioritize renewable components or those obtained from eco-friendly sources, as well as natural chemical processes.
None of the products contain parabens, and micro-particle scrubs are not used. The company strives to minimize its environmental impact, using FSC®-certified cardboard for packaging, thus supporting responsible forest management that respects both humans and nature.
Since 2016, Vichy has been collaborating with the Project Auverwatch to ensure environmental protection of the natural thermal water sources.
Product Range
The brand’s catalog features six main categories (face, hair, body, sun, makeup, for men), encompassing a wide variety of cosmetic products designed to address almost any consumer’s needs.
Depending on the type and specific skin concerns, Vichy offers the following cosmetic series:
- Aqualia Thermal: Hydrating products for sensitive skin with long-lasting effects (up to 48 hours).
- Purete Thermal: A cleansing line that helps the skin recover from the effects of external negative factors. These products care for facial skin health, eliminate the feeling of tightness and dryness, and provide 24-hour comfort.
- Normaderm: Designed for treating problem-prone skin, this line includes collagen, elastin, and amino acids that infuse the skin with vitamins, smooth wrinkles, promote epidermal renewal, and stimulate the growth of young cells. They also aid in the removal of pimples and blackheads while normalizing sebaceous gland function.
- Lipidiose: Products for caring for dry body skin. They use macadamia oil as an active component, a natural product obtained by cold-pressing the flesh of macadamia tree nuts. Macadamia oil has numerous beneficial properties, including nourishing and moisturizing the skin, smoothing wrinkles, enhancing cell regeneration, and restoring elasticity and firmness.
- Vichy Homme: A line of cosmetic products developed with the unique characteristics of men’s skin in mind. It includes skincare products for before and after shaving, moisturizing toning products for the face and eye contour, deodorants, and shower gels.
- Aqualia Antiox: Facial cosmetics made exclusively from natural ingredients. They are entirely safe for health and hypoallergenic. The formulas are enriched with thermal water, which, in conjunction with other therapeutic components, imparts radiance to the facial skin, restores color, and rejuvenates it.
- Myokine: A line for correcting expression wrinkles, preventing them from deepening, and maintaining skin firmness and tightness (25-30 years old).
- Vichy Liftactiv: An expert skincare system for addressing signs of skin aging, including wrinkles, pigmentation, and skin tone. It is classified into Liftactiv Retinol (30-40 years old) and Liftactiv CxP (40-50 years old).
- Neovadiol: A comprehensive range of skincare products for mature skin in the 50+ age group. Specifically designed to improve skin density and restore facial contours. Thanks to four active components (hyaluronic acid, pro-xylan, hydrovance, and Hepes), the “Neovadiol” line slows down the aging processes of the epidermis and restores its elasticity.
- Cellebiotic: Products for caring for tired and sagging skin (after 60 years old), which activate cell regeneration and enhance the skin’s natural protection. Skin cells are filled with the energy of health.
- Dercos: Products for hair restoration and growth activation. The collection includes toning, restorative, and strengthening shampoos, anti-dandruff shampoos, hair loss treatment/prevention gel stimulants, and therapeutic ampoules for hair loss.
Vichy also offers a range of makeup products designed for daily use. This extensive category of makeup products not only conceals external imperfections but also has a beneficial effect on the skin, enriching it with nutrients. Many women have noticed that with regular use, inflammatory processes decrease, and the skin takes on a healthy appearance.
Vichy is a legendary brand that has made numerous revolutionary discoveries and gained invaluable experience in the field of cosmetics. It is a manufacturer constantly searching for innovative solutions in the field of cosmetology to help bring beauty and youthfulness to consumers.
