Dermo-cosmetic giant aids sufferers of skin conditions

France Dermo-cosmetic giant Pierre Fabre plans to introduce more brands to the Chinese market to respond to growing opportunities in the coming year.

The company brought hair care brand Ren Furterer to Chinese consumers in 2014, after introducing dermo-cosmetic brand Avne in 2004.

Ren Furterer products are made with pure essential oils and plant extracts, enhancing both scalp health and the beauty of hair.

"We are looking forward to bringing other dermo-cosmetic brands of Pierre Fabre into China to meet the different needs of Chinese consumers," said Francis Canet, general manager of Pierre Fabre China. Avne, the first brand brought to China by Pierre Fabre, has been well received by young Chinese consumers in the intervening decades.

In 2013, when it celebrated its 10th anniversary in China, Pierre Fabre revealed that one Avne product was sold every five seconds in the Chinese market and China has become one of the brand's three leading international markets.

Having focused on its business in China for more than a decade, Pierre Fabre pays a lot of attention to Chinese consumers, especially children who suffer from eczema, distributing information about the skin disease and launching charity programs. Each year since it entered China in 2004, the company has sponsored a Chinese child with atopic dermatitis to have treatment at the Avne Hydrotherapy Center in France, paying all costs including flights and accommodation. The center has a spa dedicated to dermatology and the treatment of skin disorders.

In 2008, Pierre Fabre cooperated with the Chinese Dermatologist Association to further distribute atopic dermatitis and eczema-related knowledge. In 2011, again with the CDA, Pierre Fabre established the Foundation for Atopic Dermatitis in China, to build a bridge between researchers and specialists, and child sufferers of skin conditions and their families.

Canet said the initiative aims to allow child eczema sufferers and their families learn more about the nursing products and other knowledge, to "mitigate their suffering and regain their health and happiness". "We also hope to teach the parents how to prevent eczema by spreading related knowledge, in an ultimate effort to increase children's skin resistance by using safe and effective products," he added. After 10 years of such efforts, Chinese parents are benefiting from the advice shared through Pierre Fabre's platform. "More and more parents with children suffering from atopic dermatitis and eczema, especially young parents, stopped their blind or incorrect treatment methods against the diseases, and turned to the treatment method recommended by the physicians, as well as scientific and effective family treatment," Canet said.

tangzhihao@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 01/29/2015 page6)