Jean-Noël Thorel, a French pharmacist, is the founder and CEO of one of the largest independent French beauty companies, NAOS (Bioderma, Institut Esthederm and Etat Pur brands). He began his career in a pharmacy working
in close contact with clients. This experience was the basis of his determination to better understand the needs of all.
In 1977, he founded the Research Center CEREDAP, where he created the first Bioderma and Institut Esthederm products. He began with the theory that “when skin suffers, rather than treat it, it should be taught to function properly”, and created innovative product concepts with the support of renowned dermatology researchers. With the creation of new modes
of action inspired by the skin and passing the skin barrier, he contributed to the evolution of the legislation and changed
the paradigm of traditional cosmetics.
Jean-Noël Thorel has therefore applied the Ecobiology approach to skincare. Ecobiology is based on the theory that
the skin is an ever-evolving ecosystem interacting with its environment, and whose resources must be preserved
by adapting the natural mechanisms of physiology and skin biology. More than 60 patents have been registered.
In 2016, he merged all of his brands into one cohesive company, NAOS. Jean-Noël Thorel’s goal is to give NAOS a strong identity based on the common values of all its activities and now aims at applying the ecosystem approach to a larger sector: Human Care (Health, Beauty, Well-being; Heart, Body & Mind).