New to Millies, Avène's rich history all began in a Southern French village over 200 years ago! Influenced by Atlantic and Mediterranean climatic conditions, a natural thermal spring water emerged and provided lush vegetation in the heart of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Park.

In 1871 Americans discovered just how valuable this natural spring water was for healing the skin and consequently shipped it over to burn victims of the Great Chicago Fire. Naturally the French government declared The Spring was therefore of public interest and although it took more than 100 years later, by 1990 Avène Dermatological Laboratories set up and began renovation of its new Hydrotherapy Centre.

The global expansion of more Hydrotherapy labs and plants ensued and by 2007 Avène were world leaders in dermatological skincare. Thanks to their consistent innovative formulas all based around Avène's Thermal Spring Water - the secret natural ingredient which is contained in all of their products - benefits us today, especially those of us with sensitive skin.  Avène's story really proves that there are some things in life just worth waiting for!

Avène's Sustainability Efforts

Since 2016, Eau Thermale Avène has been strenghtening their partnership with the social eneterprise PUR Project to defend safeguarding of marine ecosystems in Indonessia. They take action by repairing damaged coral reefs, preserve mangrooves essential for biodiversity and protecting coasts from erosion and improving the waste management systems. 

our sunfilter have been tested and proven to have no impact on 4 species of marine biodiversity: phytoplankton, zooplankton, corals and zebrafish

Other initiatives by Avène include:

• Today 93% of packaging is recyclable and aim to have 100% by 2023
• All our bottles and aerosol are already 100% recyclables
• 100% of our papers and cardboard come from sustainably managed forests
• Production unit plan is connected directly to the Avene Spring in order to preserve the water whose benefits for the skin have been proven by over 150 clinical studies
• 100% of the electricity consumption in our production units in Avène  is from renewables energy and have no direct CO2 emissions
• 100% of our suppliers are selected based on their carbon footprint
• 100% of our suppliers are selected based on their RSE policy