Our history Water that makes all the difference: Avène Thermal Spring Water

1736 – The Marquis de Rocozel’s horse suffering from dermatosis is soothed when bathing in the Avène thermal spring.

1743- – The first thermal pool is built. The first guests arrive at the heart of what will become the Haut-Languedoc Natural Regional Park where they discover the benefits of Avène Thermal Spring Water which flows from the Sainte-Odile Spring.

1772 – The Faculty of Medicine in Montpellier recognises the therapeutic properties of Thermal Spring Water.

1871 – America discovers the virtues of Avène Thermal Spring Water as it is exported across the Atlantic to relieve burns in the victims of the Great Chicago Fire.

1874 – The Source is declared to be of “Public Benefit” by Marshal de MacMahon, President of the Republic, after the French National Academy of Medicine officially validates the therapeutic properties of Avène Thermal Spring Water.

1975 – Pierre Fabre purchases the Avène thermal spa and sets up a vast programme of fundamental, pharmacological and clinical research on Avène Thermal Spring Water.

1990 – The prevalence of sensitive skin around the world increases and becomes a growing dermatological concern. The Avène Hydrotherapy Center reopens its doors. Eau Thermale Avène, a skincare brand dedicated to sensitive skin, is created: Thermal Spring Water Spray Water, facial care for intolerant skin, body care, Cold Cream treatments, sun care and corrective makeup. Products are manufactured on-site at Bains d’Avène to keep the properties of Avène Thermal Spring Water intact from the Source to the skin.

1996 – The first skincare range with minimal ingredients and no preservatives is developed using the principle of Sterile Cosmetics: Tolérance Extrême, dedicated to allergy-prone skin.

2001 – Creation of Cicalfate, the most prescribed product today by doctors and dermatologists, driving the pharmacy restore market.

2007 – Creation of the Water Research Center, to monitor, control and preserve Avène Thermal Spring Water.

2009 – D.E.F.I., a perfectly hermetic packaging system, allows sterile formulas to be preserved intact, in large formats, without preservatives.

2010 – Certification of the Avène Hydrotherapy Center, the first hydrotherapy centre dedicated to dermatology to obtain the Aquacert HACCP Thermalisme® certification, a guarantee of the high quality of the treatments and the Thermal Spring Water.

2013 – Development of I-modulia®, the first post-biotic biotechnological active ingredient made from Avène Thermal Spring Water with ANTI-ITCHING effects to relieve atopic eczema. Birth of the XeraCalm A.D. range.

Since 2013 – Eau Thermale Avène sun care products have been developed according to a strict formulation charter to provide the best in sun protection while minimising the impact on the environment. Skin protect, Ocean respect: a continuous improvement approach for even more effectiveness and respect for the skin and the oceans.

Since 2017 – The production plant has been ISO 14001 certified for its environmental management approach. 100% of power consumption comes from renewable energy sources, with no direct CO2 emissions.

2019 – Cleanance COMEDOMED, a revolutionary skincare line for treating acne-prone skin, and [C+-Restore]TM, a new postbiotic restoring active ingredient from the Cicalfate+ range are introduced.