Caudalie
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Skincare, Cosmetics |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Mathilde Thomas, Bertrand Thomas |
| Headquarters | Bordeaux , France |
| Products | Skincare products based on grape and grapevine extracts |
| Website | www |
Caudalie is a French brand specializing in skincare products based on vinotherapy, which utilizes extracts from grapes and grapevines. The concept of its inaugural Vinotherapy Spa originated from a natural hot spring found 1,500 feet beneath the family estate.
History
The name Caudalie derives from a unit of measurement used in oenology, known as the Caudalie.
In 1993, during the grape harvest at Château Smith Haut Lafitte, founders Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas encountered Professor Joseph Vercauteren, an expert in polyphenols from Bordeaux Pharmacy University. He demonstrated that procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs) extracted from grape seeds provide superior antioxidant protection compared to vitamin E.
Two years later, in 1995, the Thomases introduced Caudalie with an initial range of three products containing stabilized grape-seed polyphenols aimed at combating signs of aging.
By 1996, Caudalie collaborated with Bordeaux Pharmacy Faculty to secure two patents involving Resveratrol and Viniferine.
In September 1999, the company inaugurated its first Vinothérapie Spa at Château Smith Haut Lafitte, which combined thermal spring water with grape-based extracts.
Caudalie’s international expansion began in early 2013 with the opening of its first boutique in Brazil.
In 2015, the company patented a formula combining vine stalk-derived Resveratrol with hyaluronic acid, launching the anti-aging Resveratrol[Lift] collection.
The brand established its flagship store, La Maison Caudalie, in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, New York City, in 2017.
2018 marked the launch of Caudalie’s Natural Formulation Laboratory alongside a new manufacturing facility near Orléans, France. That same year, the Vinopure line for oily and blemish-prone skin was introduced and subsequently honored with the Marie Claire Prix d'excellence de la Beauté in 2019.
In 2019, Caudalie released a sustainable sun care range that supports Coral Guardian’s coral restoration efforts in Indonesia.
Economics
Caudalie remains a privately held family enterprise. In recognition of her entrepreneurial achievements and dedication to environmentally responsible and effective products, founder Mathilde Thomas was awarded the French Legion of Honor by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe in 2018.
Laboratory & Research
The company maintains its own Natural Formulation Laboratory located in Gidy, France. It partners with Harvard Medical School and anti-aging specialist Dr. David Sinclair to create patented solutions targeting aging.
Caudalie follows a rigorous “cosm-ethics” policy that excludes ingredients such as phthalates, phenoxyethanol, mineral oils, parabens, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, synthetic colorants, and animal-derived substances from all its formulas.
Ecological Commitments
Since 2012, Caudalie has been part of the "1% for the Planet" initiative, pledging 1% of its global turnover to environmental organizations. The brand supports groups including WWF, Surfrider Foundation, Nordesta, Pur Project, NFF, and Coeur de Floret, aiming to plant eight million trees by 2021.
Products
Caudalie offers a diverse range of skincare products for face, body, and hair that capitalize on natural active ingredients—especially those sourced from grapes and grapevines.
Distribution
Caudalie's products are available in more than 27 countries across the globe:
- In Europe, they are mainly distributed through pharmacies
- In the Americas, the brand is found at retailers such as Sephora and Blue Mercury
- In Asia, products are sold via Sephora outlets and various department stores
Additionally, the company manages 8 Vinotherapie Spas along with over 36 Boutique-SPAs worldwide.