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France is world-famous for the performance and quality of its cosmetics. This excellence is the fruit of a long history in which sciences and know-how closely intermingle. The purpose of this virtual exhibition is to make you discover the origins and the successive developments of this industry and the research in the field of personal care, hygiene and beauty. Which techniques, discoveries, major scientific breakthroughs made past and present innovations possible? These are some of the questions we raise.

Les parfums et les Fards à travers les âges, par Octave Uzanne. Illustrations de Léon Carré. Genève : Charles Blanc, 1930.   BIU Santé Pharmacie : cote RES 209270. Advertising for Lucy Cream and Powder. La Parfumerie moderne, 1920.   BIU Santé Pharmacie : cote P 15270.

 

"La femme à la Source". From Vichy’s Laboratories. France. 1950.    © Collections d’histoire de la pharmacie – Conseil national de l'Ordre des pharmaciens: cote INV 1997 5.1 Cover of the magazine Votre beauté, n° 222, January 1954.   © Collections privée.

We have always considered it important to take care of our body. The ancient and medieval civilizations have left us valuable testimonies of the direct link that exists between health and beauty. Century after century, knowledge and know-how have been transmitted through migrations and exchanges, thus allowing us to combine tradition and modernity. Although nowadays, cosmetic products are defined by precise international regulations, such was not the case in the past. Cosmetics have thus been evolving over the centuries, from basic beauty secrets or recipes to today’s extremely elaborate formulas governed by international regulations.