Based in the canton of Fribourg, this flagship cosmetology company combines the benefits of nature with the latest scientific innovations. By improving the flagship products that have made the company’s reputation and by constantly developing new recipes, Biences now offers 70 products guaranteed to be GMO and paraben free, entirely designed and produced in Switzerland. Thus, through more than 100 natural active ingredients, the brand meets all the different needs of the skin of the face and body.
The adventure that proudly bears the name Biences Swiss Cosmetics in orange colors began in 1989 under the impetus of a couple, the Gasser. Sylvia is very coquettish and has a double training, as a nurse and a beautician. Patrick, on the other hand, is a household products salesman, specialized in door-to-door sales. These skills and past experiences will finally combine to lead to a very ambitious common project, the creation of a 100% Swiss natural cosmetics brand. To emphasize the philosophy of the House, the couple chose the name Biences, a mix between well-being and science. The tone was set! “Our objectives have not changed in 30 years. At the time, the concern was to make high quality products, highly concentrated in natural active ingredients with impeccable customer service and personalized advice, adapted to our customers. Since then, we have persevered in this same approach, using the current technological means and taking advantage of the latest scientific research” underlines Darian Gasser, son of the founders and representative of the second generation at the head of the company. Having always been involved with Biences, he recently took over the reins of the company to lead it on the path of digitization and modernization of processes, whether they be sales, marketing or even branding.
Family first
If at the beginning Biences focused mainly on home cosmetic care, the company has been able to readapt to the decline in popularity of this approach and to digital developments. Thus, the call center for telephone sales of the 1990s-2000s was naturally reinvented into an online shopping platform, while promoting close contact with its loyal customers. Moreover, the brand has a 30-day return guarantee policy to give more confidence to those who want to test the products. “Most of our consultants have been with us for 15 years and continue to follow their customers. This way, we can keep up with the times, while maintaining this very special relationship with our customers. Working in a family atmosphere is fundamental for Biences, both for our employees and for our customers”, emphasizes Darian Gasser.
The know-how of Swiss Made
Although the Biences range now consists of 70 references, the company is constantly seeking innovative creations. The development of a new product begins with a problem or a defined need. Whether it is the appearance of fine lines, the need to exfoliate and firm the skin or to cleanse it, the starting point is inevitably a customer demand that the new substance will be able to meet. Then comes the phase of discussions with the development laboratory to determine the active ingredients likely to best meet the objective. For example, for a cleansing emulsion such as Biences Cleansing and Make-up Remover Emulsion, the focus was on Aloe Vera and chamomile. Soothing and anti-inflammatory, they are very appreciated by the skin. Mixing tests then began with a hundred samples to vary the concentrations and proportions. “We are extremely perfectionist and test ourselves, with family and friends, the different variants. We usually start with 5-6 completely different formulas and then keep 2-3. Finally, we select the best one, on which we delve deeper, analyzing the texture, the smell, etc.” explains the director. The last step, in collaboration with different institutes that are partners of the brand, consists of various tests for allergies and conservation. Although all products are guaranteed for 2 years, the low and high temperature processes allow for longer term control of the product. Thus, the period between the appearance of the idea and the marketing can last up to 3 years, depending on the complexity of the product. Among the longest, there is, for example, the Premium Visual Effects range, the result of the most advanced research in biotechnology to slow down the aging of the skin.
The natural way
In addition to expanding its range, Biences is constantly reworking old recipes in line with the latest scientific findings. “We continually analyze our formulas to introduce a new active ingredient or improve the results. The trend in the industry in recent years is to be as natural as possible, which is why we follow it with almost 99.9% of natural active ingredients in our recipes. Why not 100%? Simply because we choose to use synthetic fragrances, which offer more variation and do not deteriorate over time. Our products are made to be used daily on the skin, so the smell is fundamental for us, which is why we do not focus on 100%. By the way, this is also the reason why applications that analyze the composition of cosmetics give rather ambiguous results. It is enough to have 2-3 ingredients considered potentially allergenic and the product ends up with an average score, when in reality it is just a matter of fragrance compounds that present barely one per thousand of the formula. Our goal is to get closer to clean beauty, without going to extremes,” says Darian Gasser. That said, some products, such as the Les Biologiques range, are guaranteed 100% natural with a refill system to offer an eco-responsible solution also in the packaging!
In the apricot we trust
It would be surprising to talk about Biences without mentioning the famous apricot line. Used for thousands of years in dermatology and cosmetology, apricot oil has a double strength for the Swiss brand. On the one hand, there are of course its healing, revitalizing and skin-balancing properties, and on the other, its status as the most emblematic fruit of the Valais, a nod to the brand’s country of origin. “The apricot is simply a cosmetic miracle, which is also grown in Switzerland. Our apricot range consists of products that have accompanied me throughout my life, whether for scars, insect bites or sunburns in my childhood and dryness and irritations now,” smiles the director, before slipping a product into his top three references at Biences.
The three favorite products of Darian Gasser, Director of Biences
Apricot Oil Concentrated Cream:
One of Biences’ flagship products, the cream’s soft, creamy texture moisturizes and nourishes the skin while helping to heal. With a fruity scent, it contains various active ingredients, including apricot kernel and rapeseed oil, beeswax, carrot extract and vitamin E.
Hydro-active, anti-wrinkle and smoothing serum:
With its intense anti-wrinkle action, the serum helps the skin preserve its softness and elasticity, while delaying the first signs of aging. A morning and evening application is recommended to provide sweet almond and evening primrose oils, Aloe Vera, horse chestnut and seaweed extracts, as well as shea butter on a daily basis.
Day and night cream for men:
Part of The Scientist line, the cream moisturizes skin in the morning and helps regenerate skin tissue at night with its many active ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, coenzyme Q10, Cupuaçu butter and vitamins A and E. Launching at the end of 2020, this new series of products is entirely aimed at men, both in terms of formulas, smell and design.
Hydra Mask
Wrinkle prevention cream with Q10
Day and night cream for men
Concentrated cream with apricot oil
Hydro-active serum, anti-wrinkle and smoothing
Concentrated gel with Aloe Vera
Beauty butter