Our history
Discover the story of La Phocéenne de Cosmétique, an independent French company built on the values of authenticity, responsibility, exemplarity and commitment.
An independent French SME based in Salon-de-Provence.
Founded in 1996 in Salon de Provence, La Phocéenne de Cosmétique has succeeded in expanding both in France and internationally, building its business around deep-seated commitments to ethical and sincere values. From the outset, the company’s mission has been to manufacture products in France that are as natural and accessible as possible, while respecting people and the environment.
Our founders, Eric Renard & Xavier Padovani, were attached to Provence and wanted to offer natural cosmetics, so they created their original brand “Senteurs Provençales”. In 2003, the Le Petit Olivier brand was born, with the olive tree as its signature. In 2018, Lovea, a brand with exotic scents, joins the Group. Always on the lookout for new projects, La Phocéenne de Cosmétique continues to grow and in 2023 will acquire the Laboratoires Vendôme brand.
Through Le Petit Olivier and Lovea and Laboratoires Vendôme, La Phocéenne de Cosmétique is constantly investing and innovating to maintain and develop products that are ever more committed and respectful of consumers, while remaining accessible and made in France. It demonstrates that it is indeed possible to “Always do better for beauty and well-being”.
Phocéenne de Cosmétique : the story of our commitment
Creation of La Phocéenne de Cosmétique
Creation of the brand Le Petit Olivier
Formerly known as “Senteurs Provençales”, La Phocéenne de Cosmétique is now the historic brand of the Le Petit Olivier company.
As part of our drive to offer ever more committed products and to follow the supply chains from which we draw our inspiration and ingredients, we have created a range enriched with Shea Butter from cooperatives in Burkina Faso.
Acquisition of the Moulin de Cante Perdrix
A producer of olive oils, the Moulin de Cante Perdrix also enables La Phocéenne de Cosmétique, the owner of the Moulin, to produce an authentic olive oil, used in the formulas of some of Le Petit Olivier’s cosmetics.
Withdrawal of parabens from our products
In keeping with the company’s values and commitments, La Phocéenne is withdrawing parabens from all its Le Petit Olivier cosmetic products.
Our Mill goes organic
Inauguration of our laboratory in Salon-de-Provence
We are opening our own Research and Development Laboratory. This is where we design all our cosmetic formulas and where we constantly seek to innovate in order to offer the most sensorial and skin-friendly products possible. A place where our expertise and ideas come together to shape the future.
Opening of the restaurant La Table du Petit Olivier
Our director, who is passionate about cooking, has always dreamed of opening a restaurant. This is what he did in 2017 with Chef Laurent Joly. A restaurant brimming with the sunshine of southern cuisine that encourages respect for La Phocéenne’s commitments and values.
Acquisition of the Lovea brand
Inspired by the islands at the ends of the earth, Lovea is the latest addition to La Phocéenne de Cosmétique’s portfolio of brands. With Monoï as its cross-cutting signature, Lovea offers young, positive and spontaneous beauty that combines pleasure, quality and sensoriality.
We offer hygiene and skincare products as well as suncare and after-sun products.
Start of a partnership with Le Petit Olivier
A 3-year partnership between Le Petit Olivier and the ONF to preserve the Provençal heritage in the Lubéron.
Our medal-winning olive oil
Partnership at the Solar Village
The start of a solidarity project, financed with one of our distributor partners. This year we are inaugurating an educational centre in the heart of the Id Mjahdi Village near Essaouira, and supporting the development of Africa’s first solar village. It is here that the women of the cooperative crush the argan nuts, which are then pulped and pressed to make the precious oil that we use in the products in our Le Petit Olivier anti-ageing range.
Partenariat Lovea/CNRS/Museum d'Histoire Naturelle
Démarrage du partenariat R&D de 3 ans entre LOVEA et Le Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle et le CNRS pour la recherche d’un anti-moustique naturel.
Pendant plus de deux ans, nous soutenons une doctorante, Camille Lacroux, dans ses recherches en Ouganda sur les nids de Chimpanzés afin de découvrir une substance anti-moustique naturelle efficace. Des recherches précieuses pour le laboratoire du sud de la France.
Publication of a Formulation Charter
We draw up our own Quality Charter.
Lovea/Oceania partnership
The association works with local fishermen and stakeholders, as well as organising events and awareness-raising campaigns in schools.
A further step towards eco-design and more committed products
Lovea is introducing between 25% and 100% recycled plastic in its packaging.
Reducing our carbon footprint
Aware of the challenges facing our society, and keen to do ever better for beauty and well-being, we are recruiting our CSR Manager and embarking on a process to reduce our carbon footprint by drawing up our first carbon footprint report.
Acquisition of Laboratoires Vendôme
La Phocéenne de Cosmétique is continuing to grow and has acquired the Laboratoires Vendôme brand.
All production of this leading brand will be relocated to France from May 2024.