A medical approach to skin care
A medical approach to skin care
Drawing on an unrivaled medical background in the cosmetics industry, Pierre Fabre Laboratories is writing a new chapter in the dermo-cosmetics sector, inventing scientific and therapeutic cosmetics that improve the lives of patients and consumers alike.
“We’re inventing the future of cosmetics: therapeutic and scientific dermo-cosmetics that changes lives.”
In what direction are you taking Pierre Fabre Laboratories’ dermo-cosmetics?
F.E. — The shift we’re making now can be summed up in two words: medical mission. In other words, developing safe, effective products for handling needs and treating pathologies, and ultimately helping consumers and patients to live better. It’s worth remembering that a third of patients affected by skin disease suffer from an associated depressive syndrome, or even actual depression. The aim is not to simply treat physical symptoms, but also to help patients overcome the psychological and social aspects of their skin conditions.
Our mission is to provide dermo-cosmetics, that change lives. This approach is faithful to the original idea of dermo-cosmetics and helps Pierre Fabre Laboratories to stand out from the crowd, while also allowing us to progress. Our main market com- petitors operate in the cosmetics sector, whereas we come from the field of medicine.
To take just one example, A-Derma’s Epitheliale A.H repair cream was created back in 1993 to aid the post-procedure healing process. This know-how, which is in our genes, gives us a head start in understanding patients and skin pathologies.
We want to capitalize on this by reinvesting in product efficacy and developing high- performance skin care products that can work as a complement to drug treatments, for example in the case of severe acne, or that simply offer superior efficacy compared to conventional cos- metics. This medical mission reflects who we are, explains why we can do better than our competi- tors, and meets the needs of patients and consumers.
How do you implement this medical approach within your portfolio?
F.E. - We are building a portfolio of cutting-edge brands, each serving a very clear and specific purpose. For example, we are moving our Eau Thermale Avène brand towards a more dermatological vision of skin care, centered on the innovative concept of “skin medicine,” strongly asserting the brand’s expertise in the management of skin pathologies. Our new communication strategy, highlighting the role played by Avène in dermatological consultations, is a good example of this.
As another example, A-Derma is reasserting its posi- tion as the specialist brand for damaged and weakened skin, by focusing on repair with Epitheliale,
and atopic skin care with Exomega. These two major ranges perfectly express the therapeutic mission that birthed the brand.
Last but not least, MÊME Cosmetics has just joined our portfolio. MÊME is the benchmark brand for skin weakened by cancer treatments.
By offering suitable, safe products that allow people to care for themselves and their appearance, even when affected by cancer, MÊME improves treatment compliance, thus helping patients to heal better.
patents linked to our dermo-cosmetics product portfolio.
in the dermo- cosmetics market
What other medical actions are you involved in?
F.E. - We are building a bridge between drugs and dermo-cosmetics. We do this by developing product innovations. For example, for patients suffering from eczema atopical corticosteroid cream in the morning and the A-Derma Exomega Night innovation reduce the use of topical corticosteroids even while soothing the skin, to reduce night-time awakenings by half.
We do this also by demonstrating the added value of our dermo-cosmetics when used together with the vast majority of medicines. Another example: our medical studies prove that Ducray Keracnyl PP reduces acne flare-ups when combined with 7 of the molecules most commonly used in anti-acne drugs.
Through these product innovations and scientific demonstrations, we develop effective health protocols combining medicines and dermo-cosmetics. We bring them to healthcare professionals — who play a bigger role than ever in everything we do — and ultimately to patients. Who better than Pierre Fabre Laboratories to bring this vision of skin care to life?
