The origins

It is said that in the 1940s, a fleet of three ships – three modern “caravels”, one of which called Sion – sailed all the way to the Antilles in search of marine substances that could offer natural active ingredients with multiple beneficial properties.
Research conducted at the time, when fauna was still unprotected, showed that the extracts of certain marine animals that were rich in unsaturated fats and vitamins were well absorbed by the skin. This discovery revolutionised the concept of “cosmetic science”, according to which the epidermis was impenetrable and beauty products only served as a cover-up.
The intuition of Arval’s researchers was strongly confirmed in ancient scripts attributed to the Aztecs and Inca, which described these extracts as being capable of regenerating skin tissues, since they cured wounds, sores and burns. They came up with the idea of using these ingredients to prepare cosmetic products after having observed the skin of women from some South American Indian tribes, which was plump and completely wrinkle-free, even in old age. In fact, the women of this tribe who hunted sea turtles in the gulf and used them for food would then apply turtle fat to their faces to protect their skin from the scorching sun.

This is how, for the first time, Arval applied the concepts of biocosmetics, phytocosmetics and restorative cosmetics to beauty products, creating treatments such as the Ligne a l’Huile de Tortue, which are extremely rich in nutritional elements with an anti-wrinkle and anti-sagging action for the skin.

The interest in learning more about new raw materials prompted scholars to focus also on the beneficial properties of some biological extracts and they were then able to successfully isolate a precious, extremely delicate and highly penetrating oil from a specific fat. In this way, the Ligne a L’Huile de Vison was created, featuring cosmetic products that are extremely rich in unsaturated fatty acids and natural trace elements with dermophilic properties, excellent emollient properties and a revitalising action.

In the early 1950s, the Laboratoires Biologiques were founded in Sion, in the canton of Valais in Switzerland – synonymous with rigour and purity – which in those days were run by an internationally renowned cosmetic chemist. A large team of technical experts, biologists, chemists and physicians focused their efforts on improving cosmetology and formulating Arval’s scientific dermocosmetics.
This is how the concept of treatment cosmetics, came about, which was aimed at treating skin blemishes, unlike the American school of thought that considered cosmetics a surface element, that is, simply a way of covering up the skin and its defects.
The laboratories therefore became an actual “reserve” of biological active ingredients, with thousands of formulas that could be used to produce cosmetics to be exported worldwide.

The evolution of Arval Italia
Dr. Virgilio Vitali, who had an extensive medical background and was open to the new perspectives offered by emerging science, established a close scientific cooperation with Laboratoires Biologiques. In 1955, the company Arval Italia was established in order to sell in Italy the cosmetic products researched and developed in Sion.
The constant exchange of scientific experiences and cooperation in research resulted in major achievements that have marked the history of cosmetics.

50s - 60s

The pinnacles of Arval’s cosmeceutical research are the products Créme à l’Huile de Vison, Créme à l’Huile de Tortue and Créme Placentaires, which act as a barrier for complete skin protection. Cosmetic products traditionally featuring extremely rich, precious formulations, which help protect the skin and defeat dryness.

In the 1970s, the first sun care products were developed, such as Half Times, a one-of-a-kind tanning accelerator Soleil tropical coco de mer is the product that ensures a beautiful tan in just one weekend..

Most of the achievements made over the years have been sustained, improved and updated in accordance with the regulations applicable to cosmetics. Thanks to our research and development laboratories, we continue to make progress with the aim of developing increasingly innovative and technologically advanced formulas. All these efforts have allowed us to develop new and important dermocosmetic products such as the Aquapure line, entirely dedicated to hydration, which became a market success in a very short time, and the Sensilia line, specifically formulated for sensitive skin, which complements our specific lines and the sun care line formulated specifically for children’s skin: Kids.

Arval continues to be a key player also in the makeup industry with Cosmetics make up, which is based on the concept of using treatment-based formulas that are meant to not only apply makeup but also to protect the skin and provide beneficial properties: colour and treatment in a single gesture.