Heritage
A house, in its own words
Jacques Courtin‑Clarins opened his first spa on Rue Tronchet in Paris on 15 March 1954. He combined his training in aromatherapy with a scientific approach to plant extracts, creating a small but influential beauty laboratory. By the early 1970s the spa evolved into a full‑service cosmetics company, introducing the first Clarins skincare range in 1974. The brand remained family‑run, with Jacques handing leadership to his children in the 1990s while preserving the original research‑driven ethos. In 1987 Clarins launched its inaugural fragrance, Eau Dynamisante, a scent marketed as a “dynamising” spray that complemented the energetic feel of its skincare line. The 1990s saw the introduction of Elysium (1993) and a series of limited‑edition releases that kept the fragrance portfolio fresh. The early 2000s added Eau Ressourcante (2003) and Eau Ensoleillante (2007), each built around specific botanical ingredients sourced from French and Mediterranean regions. A notable milestone arrived in 2010 with Eau des Jardins, a garden‑inspired composition that highlighted the brand’s commitment to natural aromatics. Clarins continued to diversify with a men’s line in 2020 (Clarins Men Energizer) and the launch of Eau Extraordinaire in 2022, demonstrating that the company still values innovation rooted in its original plant‑centric philosophy. Throughout its history the house has emphasized independence, refusing external investment to protect its research agenda and sustainable sourcing commitments. Clarins treats fragrance as an extension of its skin‑care science. The house believes that scent should arise from authentic botanical ingredients rather than synthetic shortcuts. This belief drives a sourcing policy that favours cultivated herbs, responsibly harvested flowers and certified essential oils. The brand also stresses transparency; each fragrance note is disclosed on the product sheet, allowing consumers to trace the botanical origin. Sustainability sits at the core of the philosophy: Clarins pledges to obtain 100 % of its plant raw materials from certified farms, to minimise water use in formulation, and to design refillable packaging where feasible. The creative vision balances tradition with modernity, drawing on classic French perfumery structures while integrating contemporary green chemistry. By aligning olfactory experience with skin health, Clarins aims to create scents that uplift the senses without compromising the body’s natural balance.