The History of La Roche-Posay

There is nothing more fascinating than researching a story that dates back to the 14th century and which is still so relevant today. La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water is just such a story.

It was first recognized by the French in the 17th century for its efficacy, due to the unique composition of soothing minerals with antioxidant properties and this has since been demonstrated in a variety of clinical studies, both in vivo and in vitro.

A Brief History

History shows that in the 14th century a French nobleman, Bertrand Du Guesclin discovered the thermal springs of La Roche-Posay when he stopped to quench his thirst. His horse who suffered from severe eczema submerged itself into the water and according to legend was cured of its skin disorder.

During the 17th century the reputation of the La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water spread and Pierre Milon, a doctor to Henry IV and Louis XIII, went there to conduct the first analysis. What he found was a thermal water that was naturally rich in selenium. Its natural content in mineral salts and trace elements provided the water with its unique soothing and antioxidant skincare properties. These have since been recognised by the medical and scientific community and despite some protestations that water is water, this is certainly not true when it comes to this special water as studies have shown.

At the beginning of the 19th century, General Napoleon Bonaparte, on his return from Egypt had a thermal hospital built at La Roche-Posay to treat his soldier’s skin diseases.

In 1897 the site was officially recognised by the French Academy of Medicine.

In 1905 the first Thermal Centre was opened for the management of skin disorders, mainly eczema and psoriasis. Patients came from all over the world to be treated by a team of Dermatologists who worked at the centre.

In 1913, the French Academy of Medicine officially declared the town of La Roche-Posay, a Thermal Spa Town and recognised the unique skincare properties of the La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water.

In 1975 the brand La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique was created with its mission being to develop skincare products, using this unique thermal water, that would provide dermatologists with effective skincare solutions for their patients, especially those with sensitive skin. The value of the brand was to be efficacy and simplicity.

In 2006 the company revolutionized the sunscreen market with the creation of their innovative sunscreen, Anthelios that contained Mexoryl SX™, the only sun filter in a sunscreen formula to protect against both short and long UVA rays.

In 2008 the company added another innovation to their sunscreen that combined sun filters with antioxidants. This not only protected against both UVA and UVB rays but it protected the skin from free radicals caused by the sun, a known factor to accelerate skin ageing. Anthelios sunscreens with Cell-Ox Shield were born.

At the Heart of the brand lies Precious Water

La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water is the result of rainwater flowing, for thousands of years, over vast expanses of limestone rocks containing natural reserves of selenium. It is of the highest purity with an almost neutral pH and it is protected from all pollution and is not treated in any way.

The complexity and rarity of La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water lies in both the stability of its ingredients, which maintains its high selenium content and the physiological balance of the skin. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant which helps protect skin from oxidative stress (one of the causes of skin ageing) and plays a fundamental role in fighting against free radicals. This pure thermal spring water is used as an ingredient in all La Roche-Posay products.

La Roche-Posay is committed to Dermatology

La Roche-Posay is committed to making dermatological skincare accessible to as many people as possible. Valuable input and contributions are gained by working with Dermatologists worldwide in the countries where the brand is sold.

Since its founding in 1995, the Foundation La Roche-Posay has awarded more than 100 fellowships for dermatology research on four continents. The brand is also engaged, in partnership with Dermatologists, in several awareness campaigns on the prevention of skin cancer.

A Unique Formulation Charter

La Roche-Posay skincare products are developed according to a strict formulation charter to combine safety and efficacy. The company is committed to the development of minimalist formulas dedicated to sensitive skin.

A rigorous selection process of beneficial concentrated ingredients, recognised by Dermatologists, is followed to exclude any potentially irritating ingredients. They are strictly selected to make sure they are compliant with sensitive skin and all products are dermatologist tested on atopic or reactive skin for allergies, the results of which are shown in extensive clinical tests and trials.

The formulas are also paraben-free, fragrance-free, hypo-allergenic and non-comedogenic and they all include the soothing antioxidant thermal spring water

Packaging is designed to minimise any possible contamination and the quality is guaranteed by a use-by date.

Europe’s Leading Centre of Thermal Dermatology Facility

The La Roche-Posay Thermal Centre located in the town of La Roche-Posay, France is seen as the leading Dermatological Thermal Centre in Europe. As an internationally recognised facility, it has welcomed hundreds of thousands of patients from all over the world since its opening in 1905.

Through the exclusive usage of La Roche-Posay thermal spring water, a team led by Dermatologists manages various skin disorders including eczema, psoriasis, burn wounds and post-cancer treatments.

Proud Stockists

Today La Roche-Posay is sold in over 50 countries and is trusted by millions worldwide. With its deep-rooted dermatological heritage, the brand continues research to push scientific boundaries in order to keep offering innovative dermatological skincare solutions to everyone but especially to those with sensitive, fragile skin.

Dr Ian Webster and the Dermastore® Team are proud to be stockists of this very special brand that has such a strong commitment to Dermatology. We strive to offer continued solutions for skin all types and conditions with our wide range of products – carefully selected and curated – as only the best will do for our customers.

The most popular La Roche-Posay brands that have been introduced into the South African market are available in both Dr Webster’s practice and on Dermastore®.

References for this article were sourced from L’Oréal/La Roche-Posay.