Dassault Systèmes and Yves Rocher: AI Redefines Cosmetics

A Strategic Alliance for Natural Cosmetics

The Rocher Group, known for its brands Yves Rocher, Dr Pierre Ricaud, Sabon, and Arbonne, is partnering with Dassault Systèmes to transform the formulation of natural cosmetics. This collaboration, announced on April 14, is based on the use of virtual twins, a technology that combines generative artificial intelligence and 3D modeling, to reduce the time required to bring new products to market by 20%.

The goal is to create digital replicas of human skin, allowing for real-time simulation of the interaction of active ingredients. This innovation aims to decrease the number of laboratory tests, thereby accelerating the innovation process.

The Challenge of Cosmetic Formulation

Traditionally, developing a new natural cream at Yves Rocher requires about thirty laboratory tests. This method, while rigorous, is time-consuming and costly. By collaborating with Dassault Systèmes, the Rocher Group hopes to overcome these obstacles without compromising the quality of its products.

Founded in 1959 in La Gacilly, the Rocher Group is a leading family-owned company in the cosmetics sector, employing 9,000 people, including 200 researchers dedicated to studying plants and their effects on the skin. These researchers strive to understand how plant actives can be extracted and used to create increasingly effective formulas.

The Technology of Digital Twins

Dassault Systèmes brings its expertise with its 3DEXPERIENCE platform and its Virtual Twin as a Service offering. These tools enable the creation of precise digital models of the Rocher Group's active ingredients, facilitating detailed and rapid analyses of their behavior.

Virtual twins, integrating artificial intelligence, molecular chemistry, and 3D representation, provide a detailed view of the effects of actives on the skin. Researchers can thus evaluate the efficacy of ingredients from a secure cloud infrastructure, accessible remotely.

Ice Plant, a Promising First Test

To inaugurate this collaboration, the Rocher Group and Dassault Systèmes have chosen the ice plant as the first subject of study. This plant, known for its resilience in extreme environments, has already inspired Yves Rocher's anti-aging Lift Pro Collagen range. It will be the first to be analyzed digitally, paving the way for other active ingredients.

Véronique Schwartz-Boishu, scientific director of the Rocher Group, emphasizes that Dassault Systèmes' expertise in virtual twins and artificial intelligence will enable the prediction of formula efficacy even before laboratory tests. This will optimize the development of more effective and natural products while reducing the time needed to bring them to market.