Sponsored article
Comme Avant is a family-owned company of cosmetics, household products, and clean clothing based near Marseille. Instead of piling on increasingly complex active ingredients, this French brand makes the choice of minimalism.
The story begins with Sophie and Nil, young parents faced with their son’s skin problems, which were aggravated by conventional cosmetics. They decided to make their own soap using a single ingredient: olive oil saponified by cold process, a simple but well-tolerated product.
The couple then set out to develop cosmetics that were simpler, healthier, and more transparent. It was 2017; Comme Avant was born.
4 ingredients per product: less but better
For Comme Avant, every ingredient matters. The formulations are intentionally short, 4 ingredients or fewer, for the vast majority.
The goal? Remove all superfluous ingredients that are potentially irritating to the most sensitive skin.
Among other things, no water, so no need for preservatives. No fragrance, to avoid any allergen or disruptor. No dyes, alcohol, or controversial ingredients.
They are also certified Bio Cosmos Organic, Slow Cosmétique, Vegan, and Ecocert Ecodetergent on household products.
This results in versatile, economical finished products that are suitable for the whole family, including the most reactive skin types.
Handcrafted, zero-waste, and sustainable production
All Comme Avant products, from cosmetics to textiles (since the brand also offers clothing), are made in a workshop located in Pennes-Mirabeau, a commune located on the outskirts of Marseille.
Here, there is no industrial production line and no mass production. Every soap, every shampoo, every cream, and even every garment or textile accessory is handcrafted.
This approach is part of a committed zero-waste philosophy that is embraced. The packaging is in kraft paper, recyclable or compostable, without unnecessary plastic. Even the labels are printed with eco-friendly ink.
Liquid products (serum, deodorant, toothpaste) are designed to last: refills are offered, so there’s no need to buy a new bottle each time. Parcels are not overpackaged: no packing plastic, no printed invoice.
On the textile side, the offcuts from cutting are carefully kept. They are reused to create new products, in an upcycling approach.
And when a product is defective, it is melted down or donated to charities. Otherwise, it returns to the earth, since all Comme Avant products are fully compostable.
En plus de cela, aucun produit fini ou matière première n’est testé sur les animaux. Enfin, la marque œuvre pour la protection de la biodiversité grâce à son Fonds Comme Avant.
The social commitment of Comme Avant
The company’s philosophy is also marked by very strong human and social values, which makes it an atypical project that runs counter to the traditional corporate world.
Since its founding, the brand has established itself as a liberated company, where decisions are made collectively, in a spirit of transparency and trust.
In practice, this means that salaries are transparent and regulated, including those of executives. There are no individual raises or bonuses, but a collective increase when the company is doing well.
The management is fair and each team (production, sales, customer service) is recognized for its contribution. Finally, employees participate in decision-making thanks to their presence at management meetings.
