More than 40 years ago, Parisian skincare brand Biologique Recherche was founded, with a focus on research and personalisation. Co-chairs Rupert Schmid and Pierre-Louis Delapalme discuss what’s made the brand so successful – and where the future will take them
Can you tell me a bit about how Biologique Recherche offers personalisation in its products and treatments? Pierre-Louis: Personalisation has been in our DNA from the very beginning. When Yvan and Josette Allouche – a biologist and a physiotherapist – founded Biologique Recherche just over 40 years ago, they combined their expertise to create products with a high concentration of active ingredients for personalised skincare. Their son, Philippe Allouche – who today still heads up our research department – took it one step further, developing the Skin Instant Lab, a unique system for analysing, diagnosing and prescribing products and treatments. Everyone is talking about personalisation lately, but we’ve been doing it for more than 40 years, and the way in which we personalise is unique.
Why do you feel that research & development is so important? Pierre-Louis: The skin is the most complex organ in the body; that’s why R&D is our biggest spend; we want to have the best, most thorough understanding possible of the skin. We have a multidisciplinary team made up of doctors, PhDs and engineers and based at our headquarters in Paris. Our R&D lab is closely connected to our product development team, and there is a very close collaboration and partnership. La Grande Crème, our newest product, looks at the epigenetic approach of improving skin condition. This new science is really trying to foster the expression of genes that are favourable, while blocking those that are not.
Rupert: La Grande Crème is only the start – we have lots of research that will look at how to improve the quality of good proteins while hindering the production of bad proteins, as well as continuing research on epigenetics and the microbiome. Building better skin is the essence of what we do. We’ve got 40 years of research under our belts, and we’ve always stayed true to the obsession of understanding the skin.
Tell me about the training that you offer? Rupert: We want our therapists to offer the best, most unique personalised treatments and advice, so investing in knowledge and training is something that makes sense. Last year, we launched an online academy that’s the most advanced professional online training on the market. By the end of the year, it will be available in 15 languages. It’s designed with different chapters to teach an understanding of the skin, as well as brand history, products, procedures, customer marketing, and the different machines we use. There are units designed for the therapists, but also shorter segments for a spa’s PR and marketing department, and for those who aren’t performing treatments, such as spa receptionists.
How do you stay true to the brand’s ethos as you grow as a company? Pierre-Louis: We keep a very select and limited distribution; we have 1,500 spas in 70 countries, but we’re very focused, targeted and selective in how we choose them. Right now, 80 per cent of our growth is coming from our existing partners – their own clientele is growing, and their clients are loyal to the brand. With limited distribution, it’s easier to control the quality as well as the training.
Why do you think there is so much client loyalty to Biologique Recherche? Rupert: Forty years ago, when we first started, people were looking for magic bullets, but Biologique Recherche did something different. Today, more people want to understand and be responsible for all aspects of their life – what they eat, how they exercise, what they put on their skin. With Biologique Recherche, the clients are much more involved in the treatments than with any other brand, and people are looking for that interaction, and for something unique. Right now, we’re exactly where we want to be, and our growth, recognition and exposure in the market is our best reward.
Promotional feature: Terres d’Afrique - Out of Africa
Luxury ethical spa brand Terres d’Afrique has seen rapid expansion in its first years of business. CEO and co-founder Stephan Helary explains how the company has now transitioned to creating bespoke spa experiences from concept to completion
Promotional feature: The Madison Collection - Holistic sustainability
The Madison Collection is committed to creating high-quality hotel and spa linens while at the same time protecting the environment, promoting workplace wellness and supporting clean water rights. Owner Charmaine T Lang and Gilad Lang, vice president of business development, tell us more
Wellness: Staying well
Spa Business takes a look at how some of the world’s biggest hotel operators are addressing the new trend of ‘wellness rooms’
Promotional feature: Biologique Recherche - Pioneering Personalisation
More than 40 years ago, Parisian skincare brand Biologique Recherche was founded, with a focus on research and personalisation. Co-chairs Rupert Schmid and Pierre-Louis Delapalme discuss what’s made the brand so successful – and where the future will take them
Thermal spa: Mountain therapy
Bad Ragaz’s new CEO Patrick Vogler tells Kath Hudson about his new ambitions for the famous Swiss spa resort
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
More than 40 years ago, Parisian skincare brand Biologique Recherche was founded, with a focus on research and personalisation. Co-chairs Rupert Schmid and Pierre-Louis Delapalme discuss what’s made the brand so successful – and where the future will take them
Can you tell me a bit about how Biologique Recherche offers personalisation in its products and treatments? Pierre-Louis: Personalisation has been in our DNA from the very beginning. When Yvan and Josette Allouche – a biologist and a physiotherapist – founded Biologique Recherche just over 40 years ago, they combined their expertise to create products with a high concentration of active ingredients for personalised skincare. Their son, Philippe Allouche – who today still heads up our research department – took it one step further, developing the Skin Instant Lab, a unique system for analysing, diagnosing and prescribing products and treatments. Everyone is talking about personalisation lately, but we’ve been doing it for more than 40 years, and the way in which we personalise is unique.
Why do you feel that research & development is so important? Pierre-Louis: The skin is the most complex organ in the body; that’s why R&D is our biggest spend; we want to have the best, most thorough understanding possible of the skin. We have a multidisciplinary team made up of doctors, PhDs and engineers and based at our headquarters in Paris. Our R&D lab is closely connected to our product development team, and there is a very close collaboration and partnership. La Grande Crème, our newest product, looks at the epigenetic approach of improving skin condition. This new science is really trying to foster the expression of genes that are favourable, while blocking those that are not.
Rupert: La Grande Crème is only the start – we have lots of research that will look at how to improve the quality of good proteins while hindering the production of bad proteins, as well as continuing research on epigenetics and the microbiome. Building better skin is the essence of what we do. We’ve got 40 years of research under our belts, and we’ve always stayed true to the obsession of understanding the skin.
Tell me about the training that you offer? Rupert: We want our therapists to offer the best, most unique personalised treatments and advice, so investing in knowledge and training is something that makes sense. Last year, we launched an online academy that’s the most advanced professional online training on the market. By the end of the year, it will be available in 15 languages. It’s designed with different chapters to teach an understanding of the skin, as well as brand history, products, procedures, customer marketing, and the different machines we use. There are units designed for the therapists, but also shorter segments for a spa’s PR and marketing department, and for those who aren’t performing treatments, such as spa receptionists.
How do you stay true to the brand’s ethos as you grow as a company? Pierre-Louis: We keep a very select and limited distribution; we have 1,500 spas in 70 countries, but we’re very focused, targeted and selective in how we choose them. Right now, 80 per cent of our growth is coming from our existing partners – their own clientele is growing, and their clients are loyal to the brand. With limited distribution, it’s easier to control the quality as well as the training.
Why do you think there is so much client loyalty to Biologique Recherche? Rupert: Forty years ago, when we first started, people were looking for magic bullets, but Biologique Recherche did something different. Today, more people want to understand and be responsible for all aspects of their life – what they eat, how they exercise, what they put on their skin. With Biologique Recherche, the clients are much more involved in the treatments than with any other brand, and people are looking for that interaction, and for something unique. Right now, we’re exactly where we want to be, and our growth, recognition and exposure in the market is our best reward.
Promotional feature: Terres d’Afrique - Out of Africa
Luxury ethical spa brand Terres d’Afrique has seen rapid expansion in its first years of business. CEO and co-founder Stephan Helary explains how the company has now transitioned to creating bespoke spa experiences from concept to completion
Promotional feature: The Madison Collection - Holistic sustainability
The Madison Collection is committed to creating high-quality hotel and spa linens while at the same time protecting the environment, promoting workplace wellness and supporting clean water rights. Owner Charmaine T Lang and Gilad Lang, vice president of business development, tell us more
Wellness: Staying well
Spa Business takes a look at how some of the world’s biggest hotel operators are addressing the new trend of ‘wellness rooms’
Promotional feature: Biologique Recherche - Pioneering Personalisation
More than 40 years ago, Parisian skincare brand Biologique Recherche was founded, with a focus on research and personalisation. Co-chairs Rupert Schmid and Pierre-Louis Delapalme discuss what’s made the brand so successful – and where the future will take them
Thermal spa: Mountain therapy
Bad Ragaz’s new CEO Patrick Vogler tells Kath Hudson about his new ambitions for the famous Swiss spa resort
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
