In the pursuit of beauty and excellence, we often find ourselves reflecting on Aristotle’s philosophical concept of eudaimonia — the highest human good, or the idea of flourishing and living well. Sothys embodies this pursuit in a fascinating way.
Lara Palmer: Dear Christian, could you tell us more about Sothys’ philosophy?
Christian Mas: The philosophy of the brand is very comprehensive. Fundamentally, it is a professional brand. We have our own laboratory with 30 scientists, and within the laboratory, we have a spa where we develop the treatments. This is really the core of Sothys — everything starts from the treatment room and then extends to retail. We don’t do retail first and then the treatments. This is what makes us different. Another key differentiator is our focus on botanical ingredients. Many of the active ingredients we use are developed in partnership with our botanical gardens or with nearby sources. This gives us a unique selling point. Being a family company also sets us apart, as there are fewer and fewer of those. This enables us to have a long-term vision.
L.P.: What does excellence mean to you personally?
C.M.: Excellence revolves around the product and the service. For me personally, excellence is about continuous self-improvement. It is asking myself, what can I do today that I couldn’t do yesterday? What difficult situation can I overcome and excel in? It is about routine, discipline, and striving to become better as a person and as a professional.
L.P.: Could you tell us about your family background in cosmetics?
C.M.: It goes back to my grandfather’s time. After World War II, my grandfather and his best friend acquired a cream formula in Monaco. The first Akileine cream was developed by an American to treat the feet of the croupiers working at the Monte Carlo casino. My family acquired Sothys, as they wanted to focus on beauty salons.
L.P.: Could you tell us more about the botanical gardens?
C.M.: My father created the gardens 20 years ago. The factory is located in my grandmother’s village, and the botanical garden is in the village of Auriac, between Limoges, Brive, and Clermont-Ferrand — right between Aquitaine and the start of the central massif. When we develop our sustainable development policies, we do not have to invent a story — the gardens are already there.