Algologie

What Algologie does

Algologie is a privately held French marine-based skincare company (SAS ALGOLOGIE) that develops, manufactures, and sells natural skincare products under its own brand. The company was founded on the Pen Lan peninsula in Brittany, where its R&D laboratory and production facility are located in Pleubian, with commercial headquarters at 10 Place des Victoires, 75002 Paris, and a logistics center in Lannion. Its core technology is marine biotechnology built around the patented ALGO 4® biomimetic complex (four granted patents), which combines four extremophile plants — Undaria Pinnatifida, Porphyridium, Blue Thistle, and Criste Marine — with cold manufacturing processes to preserve thermolabile actives. Roughly 80% of marine active ingredients are sourced locally in Brittany, and products are 100% made in France with formulations averaging 95% natural origin and free from parabens, silicones, PEGs, mineral oils, phthalates, and phenoxyethanol.

The commercial portfolio is organized into eight product ranges (VAGUES, JARDIN MARIN, ARCHIPEL, RIVAGE, PRESQU'ÎLE, HYDRA ECUME, SOLEIL MARIN, and SOLEIL MARIN PROTECT) covering hydration, revitalization, purifying, anti-aging, cleansing, and sun care, with unit prices ranging from approximately €5 to over €75. Algologie generates revenue primarily through direct-to-consumer e-commerce via algologie.com, supported by international shipping (excluding North Korea), a French points-of-sale network, a loyalty program, and a referral (parrainage) program. Marketing is driven by owned content (blog, social media on Facebook and Instagram) and a 10% newsletter discount for first-time buyers. Historical context includes a 2014 funding round of approximately $2.5M from XAnge and the 2014 acquisition of Docteur Renaud, with membership in the RespectOcean sustainable-marine network added in 2021.

The company serves individual consumers seeking natural skincare for facial and body concerns including hydration, anti-aging, dull skin, blemish-prone skin, and dark circles, with documented consumer-test outcomes such as 91% immediate hydration (Élixir des Vagues) and 93% long-lasting hydration (Crème des Vagues). Firmographic scale is small — 1-10 employees and a privately held SAS structure with no disclosed VC, PE, or parent ownership — and the brand is carried by a 2,900+ verified review base rated 4.7/5. No revenue, funding cadence, or customer-concentration figures have been publicly disclosed in the source materials.

Name

Algologie

Legal name

SAS ALGOLOGIE

Website

https://algologie.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Algologie is a French marine biotechnology skincare company that develops, manufactures, and sells its own brand of natural skincare products, serving individual consumers in France and internationally through DTC e-commerce, physical retail, and loyalty programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural Marine Skincare

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Dermatology OTC & Skin Health (Acne Treatments, Eczema/Psoriasis OTC, Antifungals, Wart Removal) (CRADAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sun Protection for Sensitive/Medical Needs (Reef-Safe, Hypoallergenic, Post-Procedure) (CRABAHAN)

Keywords

• Marine skincare products
• Natural facial care
• Anti-aging cosmetics
• Body care products
• Clean beauty brand

Headquarters

HQ city

Pleubian

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: Algologie generates revenue through direct-to-consumer sales of marine-based skincare products via its e-commerce platform and physical retail locations. Products are sold as one-time purchases with no subscription model mentioned.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Algologie develops, manufactures, and sells natural marine-based skincare products formulated with a proprietary ALGO 4® patented complex of four extremophile plants combined with Gulf Stream seawater, seaweed, and locally sourced Brittany marine ingredients. The company offers seven distinct product ranges (VAGUES, JARDIN MARIN, ARCHIPEL, RIVAGE, PRESQU'ÎLE, HYDRA ECUME, SOLEIL MARIN) covering hydration, anti-aging, purifying, cleansing, and sun care, with 100% in-house Breton manufacturing and clean beauty formulations averaging 95% natural origin.

Product overview

Algologie is a natural marine-based skincare company offering a multi-range product portfolio organized around specific skin concerns and benefits. The core offerings include seven distinct product ranges: VAGUES (hydration), JARDIN MARIN (energy/revitalization), ARCHIPEL (purifying), RIVAGE (anti-aging/firming), PRESQU'ÎLE (global anti-aging), HYDRA ECUME (cleansing/make-up removal), and SOLEIL MARIN (sun care/tinted). Each range features multiple products including serums/elixirs, creams, cleansers, body care, and exfoliants. The portfolio also includes curated gift sets and kits. Products are formulated with marine biotechnologies including the proprietary Algo 4 complex (combining four extremophile plants: Undaria Pinnatifida, Porphyridium, Blue Thistle, and Sea Fennel), Gulf Stream seawater, and marine-derived ingredients. Manufacturing is 100% Breton/Made in France, with formulations averaging 95% natural origin ingredients. Key hero products include the Élixir des Vagues (hydration booster), Crème des Vagues (moisturizing cream), and Élixir de Pen Lan (revitalizing facial oil). The company positions itself as a clean beauty brand with strict formulation standards excluding PEGs, parabens, mineral oils, phthalates, phenoxyethanol, and silicones.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VAGUES Range Hydrating skincare line featuring the Élixir des Vagues and Crème des Vagues, formulated with marine active ingredients including Codium, Salicornia, and Gulf Stream seawater for deep hydration and 24-hour moisture retention. Designed for consumers with dry or dehydrated skin.
• JARDIN MARIN Range Revitalizing skincare line designed to restore energy and radiance to tired, stressed skin, using aromatherapy marine formulations combined with the bio-stimulating ALGO 4® complex.
• ARCHIPEL Range Purifying skincare line for combination to oily skin types, helping to rebalance and mattify skin with imperfections using marine active ingredients.
• RIVAGE Range Corrective anti-aging skincare line targeting wrinkles, firmness, and lifting, formulated with marine bio-retinol and hyaluronic acid.
• PRESQU'ÎLE Range Global anti-aging skincare line for mature skin, offering comprehensive age-defying benefits including redensifying and plumping effects.
• HYDRA ECUME Range Cleansing and make-up removal line including micellar water, cleansing foam, milk, and bi-phasic eye make-up remover for gentle daily cleansing with Sea Water and ALGO 4® Marine Complex.
• SOLEIL MARIN Range Sun care and tinted skincare line with natural-origin bronze pearlescent pigments for a healthy glow effect, including tinted perfecting products.
• SOLEIL MARIN PROTECT Range High-protection daily sun care range for UVA and UVB protection.
• Élixir des Vagues - Hydra-Replenishing Booster Daily hydration booster serum with double hyaluronic acid and marine active ingredients in a refreshing gel-water texture; provides 24-hour hydration and instantly plumps and smooths skin. 91% of users report immediately hydrated skin in consumer testing.
• Crème des Vagues - Hydra-tender Cream Light, velvety face cream with hyaluronic acid and marine active ingredients providing 24-hour hydration; 93% long-lasting hydration result in consumer test over 3 weeks.
• Richesse des Vagues - Hydra-comfort Rich Cream Rich, smooth cream providing extreme comfort and optimal hydration throughout the day. 93% long-lasting moisturized skin and 95% comforted skin satisfaction rates.
• Élixir de Pen Lan - Precious Oil Intensive Revitalization 100% natural origin facial oil with ALGO 4® complex, BIO cotton and hazelnut oils, and fucus extract; protects, regenerates, and firms skin without leaving a greasy finish. 90% revitalized skin satisfaction rate.
• Hydra Ecume - Double Exfoliation Foaming Powder Natural and eco-friendly exfoliating powder derived from red algae and rice with AHAs, providing double mechanical and chemical exfoliation. 100% gently exfoliated skin satisfaction rate.
• Hydra Ecume - Oligo-micellar Cleansing Water Micellar water with Sea Water and ALGO 4® Marine Complex that gently cleanses and removes make-up from face and eyes in a single step. 97% skin perfectly cleansed satisfaction rate.
• Douche du Littoral - Replenishing Shower Gel Ultra-gentle plant-derived cleansing base with 2% glycerin that respects the hydrolipidic film; coastal plant fragrance. 96% natural ingredients, free from sulfated surfactants.
• Douche du Littoral - Energising Shower Gel Gentle plant-derived cleansing gel with zesty, iodized aromatic notes for an energizing shower experience. 96% natural ingredients.
• Scrub du Littoral - Body Scrub with Sea Salts & Essential Oils Clean and melting body scrub with Guérande sea salt and ALGO 4® complex; gel texture with salt crystals for gentle exfoliation.
• Face & Body Essentials Mini Kit Travel-size kit including Hydra Ecume Oxygenating Cleansing Foam 30ml, Crème des Vagues 20ml, Scrub du Littoral 50ml, and Lait du Littoral 50ml. Designed for all skin types.
• Vagues Duo Gift collaboration with artist Morgane Chouin featuring Crèmes des Vagues 50ml and Élixir des Vagues 12.5ml; a hydration ritual for summer skin.
• Soleil Marin Duo Duo combining Élixir Soleil Marin for instant healthy glow with Crème des Vagues for 24-hour hydration; features bronze pearlescent pigments of natural origin.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of users report immediately hydrated skin after using Élixir des Vagues (consumer test on 43 volunteers)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RespectOceancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Algologie is a member since 2021 of RespectOcean, a network of companies united in sustainable development efforts for better integrated management of the Sea and coastline. The partnership supports seaweed research and marine ecosystem protection.
• Morgane ChouinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with local artist Morgane Chouin who creates hand-carved linogravure illustrations for limited edition gift boxes. Her work, inspired by Breton nature and the ocean, reflects Algologie's marine values.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Caudalie: French natural skincare brand built around a single botanical signature (grape-derived actives). Highly comparable as a French-born, ingredient-story-driven, clean beauty brand that scaled internationally from a niche natural positioning.
• Nuxe: French natural-origin dermo-cosmetic brand combining botanical actives with a clean formulation philosophy. Comparable to Algologie on product positioning (natural, sensorial, multi-range face/body), French heritage, and pharmacy/retail distribution.
• Yon-Ka Paris: French professional skincare brand combining marine ingredients with essential oils and aromatherapy. Comparable to Algologie on the marine-active + botanical formulation philosophy, premium positioning, and spa/retail distribution model.
• Thalgo: French marine skincare brand built around algae- and seawater-derived actives. Thalgo is the closest direct peer to Algologie: similar product architecture (hydrating, anti-aging, body care marine ranges), similar French heritage, and overlap in target consumers seeking marine cosmeceuticals.
• Phytomer: French marine cosmetics brand headquartered in Brittany, also leveraging seaweed and seawater in its formulations. Phytomer is directly comparable to Algologie in terms of geographic sourcing, marine biotechnology positioning, and product range (face, body, spa-grade skincare).

Broad incumbents

• La Mer: Luxury marine skincare brand owned by Estée Lauder, built on a fermented sea kelp 'miracle broth.' Overlaps with Algologie on the marine biotechnology narrative but operates in a much higher price tier and broader global distribution as a prestige incumbent.
• Avène: French dermo-cosmetic brand owned by Pierre Fabre, leveraging thermal spring water as a signature ingredient. Comparable to Algologie on the French origin, water-based active story, and skincare focus, but operates globally through pharmacy distribution at much greater scale.
• Vichy: French dermo-cosmetic brand owned by L'Oréal, built around volcanic water from the Auvergne region. Comparable to Algologie on French natural-source skincare positioning and broad product portfolio, but operates as a global mass-premium incumbent.

Emerging players

• Osea: US-based clean marine skincare brand using seaweed and ocean-derived ingredients. Directly comparable to Algologie on the seaweed-active + clean formulation positioning, though primarily serves the North American market with different distribution channels.
• Drunk Elephant: Biotech-meets-clean skincare brand built around a 'suspicious six' ingredient exclusion philosophy. Comparable to Algologie on the strict clean-formulation stance and ingredient transparency messaging, but at significantly larger scale and US-centric distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Algologieofficiel
• Instagraminstagram.com/algologieofficiel/?hl=fr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Algologie