Gattefossé was founded in 1880 in France by Louis Gattefossé, an entrepreneur who believed in building strong relationships with his customers. He nurtured "curiosity” a quality that was to prove precious for the future of his enterprise and family.


Later, René-Maurice Gattefossé, creator of perfumes and scents and inventor of aromatherapy took the realm of the company. A scholar and a great communicator, he brought to the company a scientific meticulousness that was only matched by his progressive thinking.

In succession, Henri-Marcel Gattefossé widened the scope of the company activities to include biological extracts. An executive with passion for science, he collaborated closely with researchers in hospitals and universities around the world.

A man of scientific contacts, Henri-Marcel would later create Académie des Alpilles, also known as Journées Galéniques de St-Rémy. Forty years later, this institution remains active and has gained international stature.

Emile Mahler, a creative engineer and chemist joined the company in 1937. In the years to come, his work on lipids, emulsion technologies, and their applications in formulation development were to have profound impact upon the company's direction and long-term development.