In an era in which the average city girl’s skin is hit with a daily barrage of chemicals on the way to work (before we even mention the ingredients of most toiletries and make-up) the idea of going back to nature and balancing your skin out with a spot of countryside goodness is worth bearing in mind…

Biocosme is a Paris-based beauty retailer and treatment centre, offering products and treatments that are entirely natural. The company was the brainchild of Gaetane Pankowski – a trained pharmacist who had long held the idea that natural products could perhaps respond better to some of people’s health needs than chemical ones. Consequently, in 2000 she founded her own business and now her two boutiques on the ultra-chic left bank (one in Saint-Germain, the other in Javel) offer health and beauty products as well as treatments based on this very principle. We paid a visit to find out exactly why their salons are proving so popular – after all, aren’t French women notoriously among the hardest to please?

During my visit to the impressive-looking Javel boutique I plumped for a facial treatment, much needed after the thrashing it has taken in the perspiration-inducing Paris heat in recent weeks. Entitled ‘Aromamassage’ – this 45-minute super-relaxing treatment (priced at a reasonable €49) pledged to breathe new life into my skin. Sure enough, after a series of different washes, scrubs, masks and massages I literally had to peel myself off the treatment bed, having relaxed myself into a state of semi-consciousness. Furthermore, my skin felt fresh as a daisy (even if I did lament the fact that I made the trip back to my flat without any make-up in the interest of prolonging the treatment’s positive effects). Of course, every product used was natural and organic, so I experienced no irritation from my occasionally sensitive skin, and was bathed in a series of incredible aromas throughout the treatment. Furthermore, my skin was noticeably clearer in the weeks following the treatment, which had been precisely my desired outcome.

Beyond the more traditional beauty products available, the array of 100% organic goods offered include everything for aromatherapy treats to natural health supplements and teas. All of the products used during the treatment were from Douces Angevines who pride themselves on their biological andecological approach, as well as rejecting animal testing outright. Biocosme’s impressively long list of international suppliers can be found here and include Lakshmi from India, Antipodes from New Zealand and Môlô Africa from South Africa – geography is no obstacle to Biocosme in procuring the best quality products. The treatments cover face and body care as well as detoxing and use of their spa jet (note that the spa Jet and spa are only in the Javel boutique). They also offer Dr Hauschka treatments performed by Hauschka-trained therapists.

My experience at Biocosme was as informative as it was pleasant – all of the assistants are welcoming and very well-informed, able to enlighten you extensively on the products and treatments. What I learned was definitely food for thought (organic of course) and is still at the forefront of my mind when I pick up any lotion or potion and read the ingredients label…

Biocosme Paris St Germain

Biocosme Paris Javel

Both boutiques are open everyday except Monday.

http://www.allior.fr/