The formulation charter of the Laboratoire Garancia
Savéria Coste, founder of Laboratoire Garancia et Doctor of Pharmacy
« I commit myself to healthy and effective cosmetics, conscientious about our skin, and therefore of our health. My formulation work could be summarized in two words: efficiency and health. »
Healthy, clean & responsible, sensory formulas and so effective that they become magical !
I am the 4th generation of pharmacists and, as such, I create the formulas of my products myself.
It is my passion, it is the "trademark" of the Laboratoire Garancia.
I remember the oath I took, like all French pharmacists, the Galen oath. In this text, which contains the bases of the deontology and ethics of my profession, there is a particular commitment that dictates my daily work of formulation.
I know very well what a toxic or undesirable molecule is and I understand perfectly well the current concerns of some consumers. Toxicity is linked to dosage. For example, digitalis, extracted from the foxglove plant, can save a human life from a heart attack in small doses but becomes a deadly poison if the dose is higher. It's all a question of dosage!
Transparency and ethics are essential today in the relationship of trust between a cosmetic brand and its customers.
This duty of transparency and ethics is at the heart of my formulas. »
Our formulation principles
« I choose only "HEALTHY" ingredients:
With visible, fast and scientifically proven effectiveness.
Respectful of our skin and therefore of our health. »
What Savéria Coste's formulas contain
I select ingredients whose effectiveness is proven by a clinical study
Effectiveness and speed are at the heart of the DNA of Laboratoire Garancia.
My formulas follow the constant progress of science. I always ask myself the question for each selected ingredient if I can substitute it with a better one? With advances in cosmetology research, I reformulate certain products to introduce the latest innovations. We are constantly improving our formulas to offer the safest and most effective products for our skin.
My list of ingredients in a product is intentionally short.
It is not the number of ingredients that makes a formula effective but their quality and degree of concentration. For maximum effectiveness, my formulas have a high % of active ingredients and I have no budget limit in the cost of my formulas if it is to bring a superior effectiveness.
I combine the best of science with the best of nature.
Always combine the best of nature with the best of science for a fast visible result. A high-tech synthetic active ingredient does not mean "questionable ingredient". Far from it. Some peptides are now part of the most effective and healthy molecules. And conversely, "organic" does not mean "without risk to health" and even less "more effective". I am not an "extremist" of Organic/Natural or synthetic: I combine natural active ingredients and high-tech. Most of my products contain between 95% and 99% of natural ingredients. What matters to me is the fastest efficiency with "beautiful" formulas that are as natural as possible and respectful of our health.
select emulsifiers of natural origin and, if possible, "intelligent" ones.
In addition to their basic role of creating an emulsion, they will also have a beneficial action in the formula such as moisturizing and protecting the skin, helping the penetration of the active ingredients or even being formulated cold to reduce the energy impact.
I want my formulas to be healthy but also sensory, evocative of dreams and emotions.
Beauty is inseparable from pleasure. My creams must speak to our skin and our senses. The sense of smell is very important. Certain scented molecules stimulate certain areas of our brain and can be beneficial to the skin. Did you know that it was recently discovered that there are olfactory receptors even in the epidermis? My creams have a light and enchanting scent. I use an allergen-free fragrance in very low doses for most of my skin care products, as well as old rose or orange flower fragrances from our childhood for those who are not allergic to these scents and who want to travel down memory lane..
I select socially and environmentally responsible assets.
Convinced of the importance of such an approach, I strive to have formulations with the least possible impact on the environment. My active ingredients are, for example, derived from stem cells or from bio-factory. Garancia is also committed as a partner to the association tree-nation, which allows us to offset our CO2 emissions by planting trees. Our commitment continues with our membership in the Marine Biodiversity and Economy program of the RespectOcean association, whose objective is to better understand the impact of economic activities on marine and coastal ecosystems and to actively contribute to the preservation of marine biodiversity.
What the formulas of Laboratoire Garancia do not contain
> I do not use animal fats and oils.
> I avoid "questionable" ingredients. If I have the slightest doubt about their "health impact" or if I think there could be "better", I reformulate. Today, for example, we are working on substituting EDTA (which is a chelator, a preservation booster) in 3 products because it is not very biodegradable. For the past 11 years, I have always worked on my formulas without silicones because for facial skin they can be substituted by plant esters. The 2 oldest products that were formulated with silicone have been reformulated without.
> Preservatives and additives are my bete noire! I prefer to let my textures evolve, and even change color from one product to another, rather than loading them with preservatives, additives, chemical filters and colorants.
> I avoid adding essential oils that are often allergenic to some people.
> I have always eliminated sodium laureth sulfate, lauryl sulfate and go further by eliminating cocamido derivatives which are foaming agents that may contain unwanted impurities. I prefer foaming agents that are very gentle on the skin.
> I don't use kerosene oils, cheap ingredients with a high potential risk. I prefer vegetable oils.
The face and body care products of Laboratoire Garancia are formulated WITHOUT :
- Parabens (conservative)
- Phenoxyethanol (conservative)
- Triclosan (deodorant, conservative)
- Triclocarban (deodorant, conservative)
- Thimerosal (conservative)
- Silicones
- Paraffin liquide, parafin oil
- Fats/oils of animal origin
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (foaming)
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (foaming)
- Cocamido…/cocamine (foaming)
- Benzophenone (scent enhancer, formula protector, sun protector) and other chemical filters to protect the formulas.
- Titanium dioxide NANO (very small mineral sun filter to avoid the white effect)
- Nanoparticules
- Butoxyethanol (masking agent, viscosity control, solvent)
- BHA (antioxidant formula protector, masking agent)
- BHT (antioxidant formula protector, masking agent)
- Coal tar dyes (dyes)
- MethylEthanolamines /MEA, Diethylethanolamine/DEA (PH regulators)
- Diethyl Phtalate (solvent, masking agent…)
- Retinyl palmitate (anti-oxidant, anti-aging agent)
