The charter of formulation of the Laboratory Garancia

The formulation charter of the Garancia Laboratory

Savéria Coste, founder of Laboratoire Garancia and Doctor of Pharmacy

"I am committed to clean and effective cosmetics, more respectful of our skin and therefore our health. My formulation work is therefore based on two fundamental principles: effectiveness and health."

"I am the 4th generation of Pharmacists and, as such, I create the formulas for my products myself. It is my passion, it is the "trademark" of Laboratoire Garancia.

I remember the oath I took, like all French pharmacists, the Galen Oath. In this text, which contains the foundations of the deontology and ethics of my profession, there is a particular commitment that dictates my daily formulation work.

I know very well what a toxic or undesirable molecule is and I fully understand the current concerns of some consumers. Toxicity is linked to dosage. Thus, digitalin, extracted from the foxglove plant, can save a human life from a heart attack in a small dose but becomes a deadly poison if the dose is higher. It's all a question of dosage!

Transparency and ethics are today essential 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.”

Discover the history of the Garancia Laboratory

Savéria Coste's formulation principles

"I choose ingredients according to a strict charter, with visible, rapid and scientifically proven effectiveness. More respectful of our skin and therefore of our health."

I select ingredients whose effectiveness is proven by a clinical study

Efficiency and speed are at the heart of Laboratoire Garancia’s DNA.

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 the advances in cosmetic research, I reformulate certain products to introduce the very latest innovations. We are constantly improving our formulas in order 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 this must provide 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 quickly visible result. A synthetic active ingredient from high technology does not mean "questionable ingredient". Far from it. Some peptides are among the most effective and healthy molecules today. 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 and high-tech active ingredients. My products contain mainly between 95% and 99% of ingredients of natural origin. What matters to me is the fastest effectiveness with "beautiful" formulas that are as natural and respectful as possible of our health.

I select emulsifiers of natural origin and, if possible, “intelligent”.

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 active ingredients or even being formulated cold to reduce the energy impact.

I want my formulas to be clean 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 odorous molecules stimulate certain areas of our brain and can be beneficial for 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 captivating scent. I use a very low dose of allergen-free perfume for the majority of my treatments, as well as fragrances of old rose or orange blossom from our childhood for those who are not allergic to these perfumes and who want to travel through their memories...

I select assets that are more socially and ecologically responsible.

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-factories. Garancia is also committed as a partner to the tree-nation association which allows us to offset our CO2 emissions by planting trees. The commitment continues with our membership in the Marine Biodiversity and Economy program of the RespectOcean association, the objective of which is to better understand the impact of economic activities on marine and coastal ecosystems and to actively contribute to the preservation of marine biodiversity.

Discover our 4 pillars

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 to replace EDTA (which is a chelator, preservative booster) in 3 products because it is not very biodegradable. For 11 years I have always worked on my formulas without silicones because for facial skin they can be replaced by plant esters. The 2 oldest products that had been formulated with silicone have been reformulated without.

> Preservatives and additives are my pet peeve! I prefer to let my textures evolve, or even change color from one product to another, rather than doping them with preservatives, additives, chemical filters and colorings.

> I avoid adding essential oils which are often allergenic in some people.

> I have always eliminated sodium laureth sulfate, lauryl sulfate and go further by eliminating cocamido derivatives which are foaming agents that can contain unwanted impurities. I then favor foaming agents that are very gentle on the skin.

> I do not use paraffin oils, cheap ingredients with a potential risk on a large scale. I prefer vegetable oils.

Parabens (preservative)

Phenoxyethanol (preservative)

Triclosan (deodorant, preservative)

Triclocarban (deodorant, preservative)

Thimerosal (preservative)

Silicones

Liquid paraffin, paraffin oil

Animal fats/oils

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (foaming)

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (foaming)

Cocamido…/cocamine (foaming)

Benzophenone (scent enhancer, formula protectant, sunscreen) and other chemical filters to protect formulas.

NANO Titanium Dioxide (very small mineral sunscreen to avoid the white effect)

Nanoparticles

Butoxyethanol (masking agent, viscosity control, solvent)

BHA (formula protective antioxidant, masking agent)

BHT (formula protective antioxidant, masking agent)

Coal tar dyes

MethylEthanolamines /MEA, Diethylethanolamine/DEA (PH regulators)

Diethyl Phthalate (solvent, masking agent, etc.)

Retinyl palmitate (antioxidant, anti-aging agent)