For the first time, the SVR dermatological laboratory opened its doors to French journalists. It was the perfect opportunity to discover behind the scenes the production of SVR creams, a brand increasingly appreciated by families for its formulas that are both gentle and effective.
Founded in 1962 by pharmacists Simone and Robert Véret, SVR highlights its scientific expertise and its formulas suitable for all skin types, including the most sensitive. This year, the brand stood out with its sun creams: SVR was voted the French people’s favorite brand (in June 2024). A great rise since the laboratory was 6th in the same ranking last year.
Today, the dermocosmetics brand is present in more than 75 countries, via a distribution network of 3,300 pharmacies and parapharmacies (figures from the HLD group which owned the company until June 2024). It notably offers products intended for acne-prone (SEBIACLEAR), dehydrated (HYDRALIANE), atopic (TOPIALYSE) skin, etc. as well as a solar range (SUN SECURE).
Top Santé was lucky enough to be able to take part in the tour of the production factories. We were curious to know what explains the great rise of the SVR brand. After visiting the factory and speaking with Jean-Christophe Bardat (logistics director) and Aurore Halimi (formulation director), we may have the answer.
The laboratory hunts endocrine disruptors
Since 2017, the SVR laboratory has been engaged in the subject of endocrine disruptions caused by our environment.
Endocrine disruptors (ED) are everywhere…and nowhere. They are not visible. They hide behind terms like benzoate or phthalates. According to the WHO definition, these are exogenous substances that alter the functions of the endocrine system and therefore have harmful effects on the health of a person and their possible future offspring. There are four routes of exposure: the dermal route, the respiratory route, the oral route and the placental route. Please note that there are periods of life during which you will be even more sensitive to PE. These are the first 1000 days of life, adolescence, pregnancy and menopause. These are periods of intense hormonal fluctuations.
Going hunting for EPs is not enough to protect yourself from them. Indeed, the latter are subject to the cocktail effect: certain chemical substances can be harmless, but become harmful once combined together. Conversely, two PE elements may no longer be so once associated.
SVR therefore has its finished products tested by an independent laboratory in order to evaluate the product you are going to use as a whole. The SVR laboratory therefore does not stop at a list of components.
Products suitable for all skin types, including diseased skin
Certainly, hunting for PE is a good thing for the health of both children and adults. But not sure that this is enough to explain the success of the brand this year. The answer seems to lie in the formulations.
The products are rich in lipid-replenishing and moisturizing active ingredients, which intensely nourish the skin and preserve the hydrolipidic film. This is the case, for example, of the Topialyse cleansing oil that we are lucky enough to be able to test. Its silky and enveloping oil texture preserves hydration for 24 hours. In short, products suitable for very dry and autopic skin, even sensitive, from birth.
This is also what emerges when we question our readers who are SVR fans. “Since my skin cancer, I have had a sensitive face, which has very specific needs that not all creams can cover. Today there is only SVR that really suits me”Isabelle (65 years old) shares with us. His favorite? PALPEBRAL face balm.
Another reader, Violette, (aged 28), prone to eczema adds: “When you have skin like mine, winter is dreaded. The drought sometimes prevents me from leaving the house in the morning. The skin on the face flakes and turns red. SVR helped me a lot to see the end of the tunnel in a crisis”.
“The product must always be pleasant to apply, and particularly for people who have skin problems or illnesses”
Aurore Halimi, formulation director, explains to us how products can be adapted to the most sensitive skin but at the same time remain pleasant to apply. “In the case of atopic dermatitis, for example, we will not tolerate perfumes. So, we are not going to use essential oils full of allergens, we are going to try to have hypoallergenic fragrances. To have interesting smells, we must therefore still resort to synthetics“, explains the specialist.
Despite everything, the group mobilizes around naturalness. “The more we advance, the more ingredients we have that can replace synthetic ingredients. We are committed to focusing on naturalness while always using well-purified, high-performance and sensory materials. The latter is important, especially in cases of pathology. The product must always be pleasant to apply, and particularly for people who experience skin problems or illnesses.“.
Source: www.topsante.com
