Sophie Vann Guillon, CEO of Valmont Cosmetics Shares Her Skincare Secrets
Sophie Vann Guillon believes her success at Valmont was destined. With her MBA and experience as a marketing manager at top perfume houses like Yves Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, and Balmain, along with her passion for science, skincare, and fragrance, she was the perfect fit for the CEO role at Valmont, based in Switzerland. The company is famous for their Swiss cellular skincare that combines medical science with a triple DNA formulas, including exclusive salmon DNA and rare male-sturgeon DNA, according to Valmont. Since joining the company in 2000, Guillon prioritizes innovation and has developed new products focused on effective skincare for graceful aging. These include the Time Master Intensive Treatment, Hydra 3 Regenetic Serum, V-Firm Cream, to name a few. Guillon has also successfully launched the Storie Veneziane perfume collection by Valmont.
The elegant CEO, who manages product development, marketing, and corporate communication, also frequently travel worldwide to meet with customers to understand their needs. This summer, after visiting Beverly Hills, Guillon headed to Mexico City, Venice, and Dubai. We speak with her about the differences between American and Swiss skincare approaches. She also shares her favorite treatments and how they can integrate with your skincare routine.
Please tell us the main differences between Swiss and American skincare philosophies?
Swiss skincare philosophy belongs to the old continent, while the American side belongs to new territories and new discoveries. American skincare is perceived as innovative, using the latest technologies and the latest trends. The communication is more vivid, with something bubbly, sometimes fancy.
Switzerland is definitively a pilar in preserving values of tradition, expertise, and quality. It is all about long-term studies, consistency, but not trends. Obviously, you find these values imbued into Valmont’s DNA, and what we give to the world will always be full of assurance to offer the best quality.
How is Valmont unique from other luxury skincare companies?
Valmont is a Swiss skincare brand founded on strong cellular cosmetic expertise for nearly 40 years. This expertise results in products that offer immediate and long-term visible results on the skin. This is what we call the “wow” effect that gives you the “Valmont glow.”
Sophie Vann Guillon, CEO of Valmont Cosmetics based in Switzerland.
What are some of your favorite products from each of the three Valmont brands: Valmont ~ l’Elixir des Glaciers ~ Storie Veneziane By Valmont, the luxurious fragrance line you created.
Oh my god, I have many favorite Valmont products! If I must name a few, then Time Master Intensive is one of my favorites. It was the hardest baby to get as it took me five years to put together all the ingredients into a nanoemulsion. This intensive cure is simply amazing for the skin. I have to say that Prime Renewing Pack is also another product I am very keen on. It has been reviewed in 2012 by myself because the texture was changing, and I gave it like a second wind. I must say we all are in love with Prime Renewing Pack because it is fluffy, airy, and it does it all, and provides a photoshop effect in five minutes!
Within the l’Elixir des Glaciers brand, my favorite product is definitely the Vos Yeux eye product. All l’Elixir des Glaciers are the crown jewels of formulation as they rely on a tiny and precise balance. Among these gems, Vos Yeux product is really amazing as it takes out the tiredness around the eyes and is very effective at erasing puffiness and restoring radiance to the eyes.
Finally, I have two favorite products within the Storie Veneziane by Valmont perfume brand. The first one is Just Bloom, that I call “my Chanel 5.” This Eau de Parfum is the symbol of eternal femininity, just balanced to be soft but assertive, joyful and fulfilled with character. It is a bright composition with a blend of white flowers, my favorite ones, and notably Lily of the valley. This radiant heart is harmonized with an elegant and warm musky base. The second product I love, which is also beloved by Americans, is Blu Cobalto I. This Oriental Gourmand is so heady with its patchouli notes and its delicious and sweet scent of chocolate, that it makes you irresistible!
If someone is using a different line, which Valmont products can they incorporate with their routine?
Everything! You can definitely combine another beauty routine with any of our creams. I even suggest doing some layering with serums and creams. For instance, after using the famous Advanced Night Repair serum from Estée Lauder, you can use one of our creams. Or do the opposite. Our cleansing products and our Regenerating Mask Treatment can also be great complementary products to any other cosmetics brand regimen.
What changes you have you seen in the skincare industry?
Unfortunately, the skincare industry does not escape from the consequences of the society changes. More and more brands are jumping on the bandwagon without any particular history, legitimacy or know-how. These “pop-up” brands are just based on the products’ financial power, and they appear and sometimes disappear as quickly as they arrived. We find everything and anything on the market, and we are drowned in a wave of messages leading to try products and they change a lot. However, I believe that the society can get through this hazardous path and that thanks to the values we cherish, we will be one of those brands that will remain standing after the storm.
What are some new developments from Valmont?
This year we strengthen our corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy and go one step further toward the protection of bees. This is a historical commitment for our brand, embodied in our Essence of Bees collection. We take the opportunity of its relaunch in September to expand our initiative from Switzerland to the rest of the world. It’s a great partnership with four non-profit organization (NGOs) to support complementary projects covering every aspect of the honeybee ecosystem.
The Crown Jewels of Valmont Formulations: l’Elixir des Glaciers
