The first discoveries and the birth of Arval
It is said that in the 1940s a fleet of three ships, modern "caravels", including one called Sion, sailed the seas of the Antilles in search of marine substances with natural active ingredients with multiple beneficial properties. At that time, when marine fauna was not yet protected, research revealed that the extracts of some marine animals, rich in unsaturated fats and vitamins, were well absorbed by the skin. This led to a real revolution in "cosmetic science", which until then considered the skin as an insurmountable barrier and beauty products as simple superficial covers.
The intuition of the Arval researchers found further confirmation in the ancient texts of the Aztec and Inca civilizations, which narrated how these extracts were considered real "regenerators" for skin tissues, capable of healing wounds, sores and burns. The idea of using these ingredients in cosmetic products was born from the observation of the women of some indigenous tribes, whose skin, even at an advanced age, appeared turgid and free of wrinkles. The women of these tribes, who consumed turtles caught in the gulf as food, smeared their faces with the fat to protect their skin from the scorching rays of the sun.
Biocosmetics
And so it was that for the first time, Arval applied the concepts of biocosmetics , phytocosmetics and restorative cosmetics to beauty products, creating treatments such as Ligne a l'Huile de Tortue , rich in nutritional elements with an anti-wrinkle and anti-sagging action. cutaneous.
The interest in the knowledge of new raw materials led scholars to also focus on the beneficial properties of some biological extracts, successfully managing to isolate a precious, very delicate and very penetrating oil from a particular fat. In this way, the Ligne a L'Huile de Vison came to life, with cosmetic specialties rich in unsaturated fatty acids, natural and dermophilic oligo elements, with excellent emollient properties with a revitalizing action. The research went to the most remote corners of the planet, to the discovery of shrubs, leaves, plants from which to extract active factors to apply to the skin.
In the Ilha de Mocambique and Nacala, among the Macua tribe, they discovered that women crushed the roots of a plant in a primitive mortar, the mixture of which was applied to the face and left to rest for some time. Once that sort of mask was removed, the skin appeared smooth, taut, velvety. Subsequent studies began from these findings. In those roots, ximeninic acid was discovered, an unsaturated conjugated fat with such a high molecular weight that the body is unable to produce it, except in minimal fractions. Our laboratories used it in treatments for couperose skin.
The birth of Laboratoires Biologiques
At the beginning of the 1950s in Sion, in Valais, in that Switzerland where everything is rigor and purity, the Laboratoires Biologiques were born, at the time directed by an internationally renowned cosmetologist chemist. A team of numerous technical experts, biologists, chemists and doctors dedicated their work to the progress of cosmetology and the formulation of Arval scientific dermo-cosmetics. Thus was born the concept of treatment cosmetics , the objective of which was to "cure" skin blemishes, unlike the "American school" which understood cosmetics as a surface element, a mere covering of the skin and its defects. The laboratories thus became a real "arsenal" of biological active ingredients, with thousands of formulas that allowed the production of cosmetics destined for countries all over the world.
The evolution of Arval Italia
Dr. Virgilio Vitali, endowed with a profound medical culture, with an open mind to the new perspectives of nascent science, established a close relationship of scientific collaboration with the Laboratoires Biologiques. Thus, Arval Italia was born in 1955, a company established for the purpose of marketing cosmetic products designed and developed by Sion in Italy.
The constant exchange of scientific experiences and collaboration in research have led to important successes that have marked the history of cosmetics.
50-60s
The maximum expression of Arval's cosmeceutical research were the Créme à l'Huile de Vison , Créme à l'Huile de Tortue , Créme Placentaires products, with a barrier effect for total skin protection. Cosmetic specialties traditionally characterized by extremely rich and precious formulations, allied products to protect the skin from dryness.
Arval also opens the great chapter of "serums":
Serum Placentaire suractivé , a stimulator and accelerator of cell renewal. Born from the study of a natural "waste" material: the animal placenta, a tissue extract, used in ophthalmic surgery by the Russian Filatov and in various drugs for the treatment of burns and bed sores, it later became a true biological precursor in the treatment skin cosmetic.
Serum Hemopoietique , very rich in protein substances, mineral salts, dermophilic lipids, was considered a "regenerator", to revitalize relaxed skin tissues.
Hemoserum Antirides , the bioactivator composed of protein, enzymatic substances and mineral salts.
Arval becomes a protagonist in the world of make-up, with the first make-up line that carries in its formulation heart, active substances already used in cosmetic treatments: Biological make-up aux nuances naturelles . This make-up was not limited to "make-up" on skin imperfections but developed a eudermic action which made the make-up line the most modern and scientifically prepared.
For oily and impure skin, Arval Laboratories discovered an exclusive method to extract Bialeurone , a biocatalyst made up of the vital secretion produced by the cells that line the inside of the wheat grain. This substance rich in "energostimulins" enhances the nutritional capacity of the cells, promoting the rapid elimination of dermal impurities. From this discovery the specialties were born: Bialeurone suractivée and Bialeurone crème .
Thanks to the knowledge of Doctor Vitali, and his continuous desire for research, the first great "revolution" was born: Couperoll , then and still today the undisputed leader in the care of skin with a tendency to rosacea.
70s/80s
In the 1970s, the first solar products were created, such as Half Times , the one-of-a-kind tanning accelerator. The "guarantee" product of a splendid tan in just one weekend is Soleil tropical coco de mer .
The first products of the Solaire line then come to life, the perfect tanning ritual which with all its products, enriched with phytoderivatives and treating substances, ensures a quick and easy tan.
Strengthened by the success of the Solaire line, the sunscreen sector is further enriched with the birth of Ilsole , formulations with proven effective UVA/UVB filters enriched with active substances with a hydrating and nourishing action.
In addition to sun products, "the richest cream in the world" is born: Surviva , the first anti-aging treatment containing exclusive hydrating and anti-aging active ingredients. He immediately revealed himself to be a true "architect of the dermal structure".
90's
In the 90s the anti-aging sector was enriched with Doctora , the line of products based on Coenzyme Q10. Arval is the first to use and patent coenzyme Q10, which is still widely used today. Lavita , an exclusive and very precious line, with restructuring, anti-aging and anti-sagging skin properties.
Arval is still the first cosmetic company to tackle a skin problem never faced by others in Italy, that of the so-called "dark spots", thus Antimacula was born, an entire cosmetic line dedicated to this blemish, previously addressed by a single product formulated in the 1970s.
Among the specific features is the Puractiva line, dedicated entirely to the problems of impure and oily skin, with products that satisfy both male and female needs.
Arval from the 2000s to today
Most of the successes achieved over time have been maintained, improved and updated always according to the regulations that regulate the world of cosmetics. The evolution continues, through the research and development of our laboratories, which are constantly updated, with the aim of developing increasingly innovative and technologically advanced formulas.
All this commitment has led to the birth of new important dermocosmetic specialties such as Aquapure , a line entirely dedicated to hydration, a success that has established itself on the market in a very short time; the Sensilia line, specially formulated for sensitive skin, which completes the specifics sector and the solar line dedicated to children's skin: Kids .
Arval continues to be a protagonist also in the world of make up with Cosmetics make up , whose concept remains that of using treatment formulas that do not limit themselves to making up but to offer protection and benefits to the skin: color and treatment in a single gesture.
In January 2019 Arval Natural Skin Care System marks the beginning of a new era, an innovative concept in the approach to the development of new cosmetics, in line with the green evolution of the market, facial treatment products, conceived with ingredients natural products from organic farming.
In 2024, the new and reformulated historic Couperoll - Couperose and redness line was born, suitable not only for those suffering from couperose but also for skin with common redness.
The "adventurous and visionary journey" continues, without ever losing sight of our mission: to improve and support the beauty and diverse needs of the skin.
