In conversation with Charles-Edouard Barthes: How to Marry French Luxury with Japanese Efficacy

Charles-Edouard Barthes is the founder and CEO of Evidens de Beauté, a luxury skincare brand that masterfully fuses French sophistication with Japanese precision. Born in France and inspired by his deep ties to Japan through his wife, Barthes created the brand in 2007 with the goal of combining sensorial elegance and scientific efficacy. At the heart of Evidens de Beauté lies the Triple Collagen formula, a patented complex developed in collaboration with Japanese dermatological experts to target visible signs of ageing with exceptional gentleness and effectiveness. Today, the brand is known for its refined textures, exquisite packaging, and a philosophy rooted in balance, ritual, and understated indulgence—making it a quiet force in the world of haute skincare, and has recently made its way to a permanent home in the white hall in Harrods. We sat down with Barthes to discover more about how cultural duality is woven into the DNA of his brand.

Evidens de Beauté uniquely blends French elegance with Japanese precision. How does this duality shape your brand’s identity?

The Japanese heritage is reflected in the utmost precision we bring to our formulations, which are based on advanced biotechnology. In line with the millennia-old Japanese philosophy of Kaizen (Kai: change / Zen: good), we’re committed to the constant improvement of our creations.

French elegance is expressed through the sensoriality at the heart of everything we do—our packaging, textures, fragrances, and of course, the visible results on the skin.

We also combine two exclusive key ingredients in all our Sahos (which means “ritual” in Japanese): our renowned Triple Collagen, extracted in Japan, and the miraculous Eau de la Foux, sourced from Saint Paul de Vence in the South of France. Their combined action is the secret to our success.

Evidens de Beauté was inspired by your desire to create effective skincare for your wife, Eriko, who has sensitive skin. How does this personal story influence your brand's narrative, and how do you communicate it to resonate with consumers seeking authenticity?

I originally created Evidens de Beauté as a solution for my Japanese wife and muse, Eriko, who was struggling to find suitable products for her sensitive skin. She tried every cream on the market, believed every promise, and was disappointed each time.

As a Frenchman—and a romantic—I had to find a solution for the woman I chose to spend my life with. I also realised that if she was facing this issue, many other women probably were too. This personal mission became Evidens de Beauté’s purpose: to offer a pleasurable path to visible results, even for the most sensitive skin.

Can you share insights into your formulation process? Are there any specific Japanese skincare rituals or French traditions that directly inspire your hero products?

Evidens de Beauté remains faithful to the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, the ongoing quest for perfection. Our R&D department in Japan is continuously researching and selecting the highest-quality active ingredients and developing potent complexes. We are constantly evolving our formulas to ensure the most effective and luxurious skincare experience.

Evidens de Beauté is featured in prestigious spas worldwide, such as Sense Spa at Rosewood Mayakoba. What criteria do you consider when selecting spa partners to ensure they align with your brand's luxury and quality standards?

Evidens de Beauté was introduced in Harrods in 2011, and we’ve shared the same vision from day one: offering our customers the very best in beauty.

Since the start of this partnership, we’ve seen significant growth both online and in-store. We closed 2023 with a 23% increase in offline sales compared to 2022 and ranked number one within the Harrods Health & Beauty department out of 75 brands. In 2024, we’re outpacing the category in growth with +14% year-to-date (forecasting +20% by year-end), and after just four weeks of trading, we were already ranked 13th out of 23 brands in the White Hall.

Evidens de Beauté at The White Hall in Harrods, London

The White Hall is a global showcase for luxury cosmetics, and our ambition is to be the number one brand in that space. We’re already seeing strong performance, challenging well-established names. Our secret lies in leveraging the loyal consumer base we built on the 5th floor, while acquiring new customers thanks to the higher footfall on the ground floor. With this momentum, we’re forecasting even stronger growth for 2025.

What's your favourite product in the brand?

I love all of our products, but if I had to choose, I’d say The Total Shield SPF 50 PA++++. It’s something I use daily—I love how effortlessly it glides onto the skin. My wife also enjoys wearing it under makeup because the formula is so breathable.