Founded in 1995 by Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, and inspired by the Grapes from the French Vineyards, Caudalie is a brand that harnesses the power of natural ingredients to target key skin concerns including ageing and blemishes. Using the same grapes the inspiration for the brand came from, this cutting edge luxury brand only uses the best ingredients to develop highly effective products that we all know and love. We caught up with founder Mathilde Thomas to talk all things skincare, and how the brand became the global phenomenon that it is today.
What’s the story behind Caudalie? How did it become what it is now?
I met Professor Joseph Vercauteren, leading expert in grape polyphenols, at our family vineyard in Bordeaux, where he was researching grapes and the vines leftover after the harvest. He said to me “Do you know that you are throwing away treasures?” – meaning the grape seeds that are discarded after the grapes are pressed for wine. He told us grape polyphenols were the most potent antioxidant produced by nature.
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What is the brand's core philosophy?
The philosophy behind Caudalie is really simple: effective products that are skin problem solvers, highly clean formulas and refined textures and scent. Furthermore, we are really engaged. Bertrand andI believe that we must act to leave a better planet to our kids. This is why we are part of 1% for the Planet since 2012 (contributing 1% of the brand's worldwide turnover to organisations working to protect the environment). Caudalie remain today the biggest European contributor. To date, over 7 million trees have been planted in the eight key zones of deforestation around the world. We will have reached 8 million trees by 2021, which means 8 million new carbon sinks, areas of biodiversity and protected ecosystems. Just by planting these trees, we are covering potentially our CO2 emissions 4 times over.
What are your top tips for glowing skin?
Use our Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, 62 times more effective than vitamin C to brighten, lighten and even the skin complexion. In April we’ve just launched the new Vinoperfect Dark Spot Correcting Moisturiser, enriched in niacinamides, white peony and natural pearly particles, that gives the skin an instant boost of radiance. You can also spray our Beauty Elixir all day long around your face. It’s a multi-tasking mist that minimises pores, sets make-up and gives you an immediate glow.
What are your top 3 Caudalie product recommendations?
Caudalie Beauty Elixir Limited Edition
Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum Complexion Correcting
Caudalie Premier Cru The Precious Oil
What do you think have been the most important skincare trends of 2020 so far?
- Effective products derived from medical research.
- Clean formulas, hormonal disruption free.
- Sustainable brands that give back with a zero waste goal.
Keep an eye out on lookfantastic for more exciting news from the brand and shop the whole Caudalie range on lookfantastic here.
