Clarins

Clarins

Company type	Private ( Société par actions simplifiée )
Industry	Cosmetics
Founded	1954;72 years ago (1954)
Founder	Jacques Courtin-Clarins
Headquarters	Paris , France
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Jonathan Zrihen, CEO
Products	Makeup, skincare
Owner	Courtin-Clarins Family
Number of employees	8,000
Website	www.groupeclarins.com

Clarins is a French, family-owned multinational cosmetics company founded in Paris in 1954, who opened the first Clarins beauty institute on Rue Tronchet. ^[1] Clarins subsequently expanded into product development. Although more than 95% of its products are exported worldwide, they remain formulated and designed in Clarins Laboratories in France. The Clarins and My Blend brands ^[2] are available at high-end department stores and selected retailers; it operates in over 150 countries ^[3] and is a major luxury skincare brand in Europe. ^[2]

Early development emphasized plant-based formulations and skincare treatments offered at the original institute. ^[4]

The brand has a strong presence all around the world, recognized for its expertise in plant-based ingredients and scientific research, and is frequently cited among the leading premium skincare companies in Europe ^[5] .

Clarins also own two research laboratories, one in Pontoise, France, and another in Shanghai, China ^[6] . Its skincare products are formulated, developed, and manufactured in France, where the group owns two production sites, in Pontoise and in Troyes.

History

Significant milestones in the history of Clarins:

• 1954: Jacques Courtin-Clarins opens his first Beauty Institute on Rue Tronchet in Paris. ^[7]

• 1968: Clarins creates its Client Card, ^[8] which is included in the packaging of Clarins skincare products.
• 1974: Christian Courtin-Clarins joins the company as Director of Exports. ^[9]

• 1984: Clarins is listed on the secondary market of the Paris stock exchange, which is a real development opportunity for the company. ^[10]
• 1994: Olivier Courtin-Clarins joins Clarins as a board member after a successful medical career. ^[11]

• 2002: Clarins launches the ClarinsMen range for men. ^[12]

• 2008: Clarins is delisted from the Paris stock exchange. ^[10]

• 2010: Virginie, Claire, Prisca and Jenna Courtin-Clarins become members of the Supervisory Board. ^[13]

• 2011: After having held the position of Chairman of the Board since 2000, Christian Courtin-Clarins is named President of the Supervisory Board.
• 2015: After more than 25 years of experience working for Clarins, Jonathan Zrihen is appointed President & CEO. ^[14]

• 2017: After her role as Head of Development and New Concepts, Jenna Courtin-Clarins becomes an ambassador for the brand.

• 2018: After her time as Managing Director at Mugler Mode, Virginie Courtin-Clarins is appointed Deputy CEO. ^[15]

• 2018: After working as Clarins' Director of Spas, Retail & My Blend, Prisca Courtin-Clarins becomes a member of the Supervisory Board as a representative of Famille C, the holding company of the Courtin-Clarins family. ^[16]

• 2018: Clarins researches and produces its first ingredients at Domaine Clarins, ^[17] an outdoor laboratory in the heart of a protected area in the Alps
• 2020: Clarins hands over Mugler & Azzaro to L'Oréal to refocus on beauty, its core business, with Clarins and My Blend. ^{[18] [19] [20]}

• 2020: Clarins opens its R&D center in Shanghai, China. ^[21]
• 2022: Clarins launches a traceability platform for its products called the Clarins T.R.U.S.T. that utilizes blockchain technology. ^[22]
• 2022: Clarins relaunches its personalized skincare brand, MyBlend. It was first introduced in 2007 and relaunched in 2022 with an environmentally-friendly reformulation. ^[23]
• 2022: Clarins acquires ILIA, an American clean beauty brand specializing in make-up. ^[24]
• 2023: Clarins introduces Precious, a luxurious anti-aging skincare line. ^{[25] [26]}
• 2024: Clarins acquires a new estate in the Gard region of France, with the aim of turning it into a resource site for sourcing exceptional raw materials. ^[27]
• 2025: Virginie Courtin, Managing Director of Clarins Group, ranks 1st in the prestigious Institut Choiseul 100 2025 ranking. ^[28]
• 2025: Clarins partners with the ILO (International Labour Organization), the specialized agency of the United Nations to promote disability inclusion. ^[29]
• 2025: Clarins is certified B Corp ^[30]

Governance

Groupe Clarins is a privately held, family-owned company, taken private in 2008 ^[31] , whose governance combines a family-controlled supervisory board with professional management. In 2022, third‑generation family member Prisca Courtin was appointed chair of the Supervisory Board and Virginie Courtin became managing director, while longtime executive Jonathan Zrihen serves as President and Chief Executive Officer since 2015. This structure is frequently cited as balancing continuity of the founding vision with modern managerial practices: “For 70 years, Clarins has benefited from its independent family model to build a long-term vision and make a real commitment to sustainable development”. ^[32]

References

1. Chesters, Anna (3 Jan 2012). "A brief history of Clarins" . The Guardian .
2. • NPD Beauty Trends®, marché sélectif du Soin marques prestige, ventes en valeur, sur la période cumulée de Janvier à Décembre 2020, total 3 pays (France, Italie, UK).
3. "Soldes : Notre sélection shopping beauté pendant les journées privilèges Clarins". Marie Claire (in French). Retrieved 2021-08-25.
4. Lackie, Dave (2016-02-29). "Clarins -- Innovators of French Beauty". Dave Lackie. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
5. USA, Clarins. "CLARINS SPA IN AIR FRANCE LOUNGE AT LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
6. Research & Development (2020-09-14). "Clarins debuts 'door to Paris' research facility in China". cosmeticsbusiness.com. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
7. Figaro, Madame (2016-11-08). "Clarins, pour l'amour des femmes". Madame Figaro. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
8. Figaro, Madame (2020-10-15). "Du consommateur responsable à l'hyperactiviste, comment les codes de la cosmétique ont changé". Madame Figaro. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
9. "Clarins : les coulisses d'une succession bien huilée". Capital.fr (in French). 2015-06-03. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
10. Bouquet, Vincent (2015-03-23). "Pourquoi le groupe Clarins est sorti de la Bourse". Les Echos Executives (in French). Retrieved 2021-08-25.
11. "Olivier Courtin-Clarins et sa nouvelle approche de la cosmétique". L'Orient-Le Jour. 2018-02-19. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
12. "Clarins". www.puretrend.com (in French). Retrieved 2021-08-25.
13. JDD, Le (15 March 2014). "Clarins de pères en filles". lejdd.fr (in French). Retrieved 2021-08-25.
14. "Clarins CEO Jonathan Zrihen reveals the formula to success". The CEO Magazine. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
15. "Clarins s'engage pour les hommes et la planète". Vogue Paris (in French). 2021-06-28. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
16. FR, FashionNetwork com (9 April 2021). "Circle Sportswear lève un million d'euros". FashionNetwork.com (in French). Retrieved 2021-08-25.
17. "Visite guidée au cœur du domaine Clarins". Vogue Paris (in French). 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
18. "L'Oréal : le groupe rachète les marques Azzaro et Mugler à la société Clarins". Luxe.net. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
19. "L'Oréal finalise l'acquisition de Mugler et des parfums Azarro". Fashion Network. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
20. "L'Oréal rachète les marques Mugler et Azzaro à Clarins". Les Echos. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
21. "Clarins debuts 'door to Paris' research facility in China". Cosmetics Business. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
22. Ahssen, Sarah (Dec 12, 2022). "Clarins launches traceability platform for skincare products". FashionNetwork. Translated by Mira, Nicola. Archived from the original on Feb 6, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
23. Ahssen, Sarah (May 31, 2022). "Clarins relance sa marque myBlend". Fashion Network. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
24. "La famille Clarins s'offre une pépite des cosmétiques aux Etats-Unis". Les Echos. February 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
25. Kohen, Stéphanie (7 August 2023). "GALA GLAM – Clarins lance Precious, une luxueuse ligne de soins anti-âge". Gala. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
26. "Le temps capturé avec Clarins Precious". Madame Figaro. 2 May 2023. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
27. "Clarins fait l'acquisition d'un domaine agricole de 115 hectares près de Nîmes". 5 April 2024.
28. "Notre palmarès 2025 des 200 leaders de moins de 40 ans qui vont compter dans le monde de l'entreprise". 20 March 2025.
29. https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/growing-corporate-commitment-disability-inclusion__;!!OMzJW1YBdAk!rdnYEGcI0NU7USrdRo250YRowkrH5rP0Gss1XyREQEu-dxeCGATr2WQY_anNI9in9hYQfKKEe9QHrY7r$
30. News, Global Cosmetics. "Global Cosmetics News". Global Cosmetics News. Retrieved 2026-01-08.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
31. Reuters (June 27, 2008). "Clarins family makes $3.6 bln buyout offer".{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
32. USA, Clarins. "Clarins achieves B Corp™ status, marking a major step in its commitment to a more sustainable future". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2026-01-08.

External links

• Official website
• Clarins Group official website
• "Christian Courtin-Clarins". Time . November 29, 2005.