Crème Simon

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Crème Simon is a French skincare brand started by pharmacist Joseph Simon in 1860. He opened his first shop by the Rhône River, where he met washerwomen who had rough, irritated skin from cold water, sun, wind, and soap. Joseph Simon created a new, moisturising cream with glycerine from plants to help their skin. This became a versatile, multipurpose cream for the face, hands, and body, good for eczema, psoriasis, and minor wounds. At the time, many creams were greasy and unstable, but Crème Simon was hygienic and stable, and it helped start modern cosmetics.

The cream was sold in pharmacies, perfumeries, and salons around the world, with bases in Paris and Lyon. It was marketed as the No.1 French skincare brand and became famous across Europe, the United States, and beyond.

Crème Simon also built its image through art and celebrities. From the 1920s, it worked with artists for its ads, and in the 1950s it used well-known photographers and movie stars to promote the cream. Early endorsements came from Adelina Patti in 1902, followed by Pauline Po in 1922 and Geneviève Félix in 1923. Later, stars such as Dominique Wilms, Christine Carère, and Brigitte Bardot helped keep the brand in the public eye.

Crème Simon remains part of French beauty history and even appears in the film Paris 36, where its beauty powers are referenced in a character’s scene.