Biotherm is a French skin care company owned by L'Oréal under the Luxury Products division. Biotherm was acquired by L'Oréal in 1970. Biotherm originated from mineral water. In early 20th century, the French doctor Jos Jullien discovered mineral thermal spring waters under Pyrenees mountain in the southern part of France which contained thermal plankton, supposedly a key to healthy skin and a potent skin rejuvenator. In 1952, intellectual property rights was acquired and she used it in skin care products. Thus, therm in Biotherm comes from thermal plankton, an ingredient found in all Biotherm products. Bio comes from the profession of the founder biologist.
History
In the years 1940-50, Dr. Jos Jullien, from Joyeuse in Ardeche, noticed the presence of a particular substance on the surface of the thermal waters of Molitg-les-Bains. This substance is composed of thermal plankton. With Jeanine Marissal, he works on the potentials of this substance that they integrate with a cosmetic formula. Biotherm was born from this work in 1952, under the leadership of Adrien Barthélémy, owner of the Molitg-les-Bains springs. In 1952, Biotherm launched 3 products: La Crème Triple-Usage, Biotherm Cure and Biomains. Biomains, a hands moisturizing cream, is still on the market today. In 1955, 3 years after the creation Biotherm, The New York Times noticed this new French brand: "Plankton is used as aid to beauty." In 1957, Biotherm started to build its hydration expertise with the launch of La Crème Hydrothermale. During the 1960s the brand developed several targeted skincare solutions to address specific needs, including its first sun cream and its first "slimming cream". In 1968, Biotherm introduces Bio-Buste Suractive on the market, its first "breast firming cream". Biotherm was acquired by L'Oréal in 1970. L'Oréal transformed the small French brand into an international brand by opening to the rest of Europe and entering the US market and Japan In 1972, Biotherm launched Lait Corporel. This moisturizing body lotion with citrus extracts is still on the market today. In 1974 Princess Grace of Monaco inaugurates Biotherm research center in Monaco with founder Jeanne Marissal and L'Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt. This center includes laboratories and production unit. In 1981, famous model Marie Hanson appears on Biotherm advertising campaign. In 1982 French skipper Florence Arthaud starts the Route du Rhum race with her trimaran BIOTHERM II, designed by Xavier Joubert. In 1984, Elle Macpherson becomes Biotherm ambassador. In 1985, Biotherm launches Biotherm Homme a range of men skincare. In the 1990s Biotherm entered the Asian markets while developing new products based on aquatic ingredients such as its Aquasource Gel formulated with plankton in 1998. Actress and model Rebecca Romijn appears on Biotherm campaigns. In 1994, Biotherm inaugurates a new biotechnology center to isolate and cultivate plankton extract in Tours, France. In 1997, Biotherm launches its first body fragrance L'Eau Vitaminée In 2002, Biotherm Homme launches its oligo-thermal moisturizer Aquapower gel for men. In 2005 Taiwanese-Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro becomes the face of Biotherm Homme in Asia. In 2006 Stanford University researchers support use of Pure Thermal Plankton in Biotherm formulas In 2009, American Sex & the City actor Chris Noth becomes Biotherm Homme ambassador. He appears in Biotherm Homme advertising campaign for the latest product launched by the brand Force Supreme, an anti aging cream for men. In 2011, Biotherm includes a new ingredient, Mannose, in its Aquasource gel formula. The brand also collaborate with French designer Vanessa Bruno for a body fragrance launch. In 2012, Biotherm created Biotherm Water Lovers a charity program to protect the world's water, in association with Sylvia Earle's Mission Blue organization Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the brand launched a new biotechnology platform called "Beauty from the deep" with the ambition to find new molecules in aquatic life. In 2013, Biotherm launches Blue Therapy a range of anti-aging products. American actress and singer Leighton Meester becomes Biotherm global ambassador while Taiwanese Canadian-born actor Eddie Peng starts to appear in Biotherm Homme campaigns in Asia. In Europe, Biotherm Homme started a collaboration with French Football World ChampionBixente Lizarazu and French Sailor François Gabart In 2015, Biotherm announced Christy Turlington and Candice Swanepoel as new faces of the brand. Italian Olympic Swimmer Luca Dotto was named ambassador for men skincare range Biotherm Homme. The brand sponsored the Aquapower Expedition project led by German windsurfer Florian Jung: a team of athletes and scientists crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a catamaran to raise awareness on aquatic pollution, filming the Atlantic Garbage Patch and other endangered areas.
