LA ROCHE-POSAY'S THERMAL WATERS
La Roche-Posay's thermal waters have ideal pH for treating skin as a result of their passage through the chalky layers of the Turonian.
The history of thermal waters in La Roche-Posay.
The thermal waters in La Roche-Posay were officially recognised as a public service in 1869. Due to the properties of the waters, La Roche-Posay became the leading European spa town exclusivement reserved for treating skin conditions. Over 8,000 people benefit from the therapeutic properties of La Roche-Posay's thermal waters each year.
For many years, the properties of La Roche-Posay's thermal water were only known through practical experience. Since, many in vitro and in vivo studies have been carried out on both animals and humans.
In 1945, the thermal town flourished to its current size. Both French and European patients headed in droves to La Roche-Posay for skin treatments, which were subsidised by the French national health system.
During the 1930s the town was popular amongst artistic and intellectual personalities who came for spa treatments, as well as for the calm and elegance of the beautiful natural environment. Some took advantage of the serene atmosphere to pursue their writing or other work. The rich American Florence Gould, André Gide, Jean Cocteau, Jean Marais and Sacha Guitry all visited the town.
The thermal waters of La Roche-Posay
The result of slow percolation through layers of clay and chalk from the Turonian, La Roche Posay’s thermal waters are drawn in a protected area from depths of between 30 and 80 metres. High in trace elements: selenium, silica, bicarbonates and calcium which gently repair the skin, the neutral pH is ideal for the epidermis.
The mineral composition provides anti-inflammatory dermatological properties which heal and soothe. Slightly mineralized, the water contains calcium bicarbonate, silica and selenium. The water is extracted at 13°C and is lovely to drink, though it has no particular flavour.
La Roche-Posay thermal water has a high content of selenium: 40 à 60 µg/l. This trace element has been recognised as essential for human life since 1970. It plays fundamental role in cellular metabolism, important for the constitution of many enzymes and proteins.
The water, with high contents of silica and selenium, is unique and has indisputable therapeutic properties for treating skin conditions: eczema, psoriasis, burn wounds, cancer-recovery scars, etc.
The benefits of "velvet water"
Known as “velvet water” due to its incredibly soft texture, it does not need to be treated before use, so the natural properties are unaltered.
Selenium regulates the immune system, and is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It also protects against UVA and UVB rays.
Silica soothes skin irritations and inflammations, accelerates healing and makes the skin more supple and elastic.
Bicarbonates and calcium are essential nutritive elements for skin renewal.
