Our story
Sophie Beaugé-Duguet boldly paved the way for innovative clothing and founded SKINUP back in 2005. A visionary and determined woman, she believed in bringing together two traditional areas of French expertise: fashion and cosmetics.
Surrounded by scientists, researchers, stylists and manufacturers, she then came up with a new trend of clothing that acts naturally on the body and figure: Active Body Wear.
The start-up was set up a few years later in the heart of the “Cosmetic Valley” in Touraine, the largest international competitiveness cluster in beauty sciences, where it became a large scale company and established itself as a leading player in technical clothing.
SKINUP’s story is also about its investments in research and innovation. Its mission is to make use of advanced textile technology to enhance the beauty of the body and skin.
2005
Founding of the company in Azay-le-Rideau
2006
Filing of the first innovation patent
- The Ministry of Research approves SKINUP’s approach, which in 2006 was recognised as a “Young Innovative Enterprise”.
- In the same year, the company receives support from Oseo Innovation.
- SKINUP is declared to the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health (ANSM). Its results are certified by an independent laboratory.
- Opening of sales in Asia, Malaysia and China.
2007
SKINUP creates the first cosmetic refill for clothing
This is a spray containing marine active ingredients that can be sprayed into the heart of the fabric, to recharge and maintain the effectiveness of the technical garment for longer.
At the same time, the team develops new underwear models that are added to the existing collection.
2008
Initial thought is given to guaranteeing to the consumer the effectiveness of the garment purchased
The innovative SME invents an “efficiency indicator” which controls the level of cosmetics contained in the garment. The company files the Smart Tag® patent.
In 2008, SKINUP joins the companies in “Cosmetic Valley” in Touraine, the largest international competitiveness cluster in beauty sciences.
2009
Invention of a system to detect the presence of microcapsules in textiles
Work starts on infrared massage textiles (thermotherapy)
Research into Smart Textiles (Ceramic fibre) with “Android” connections
Development of an interactive application for medico-social purposes
SKINUP invents a mineral thread called "cosméto-ceramic": a unique and patented technology
At the time, So’Slim, a SKINUP innovation, is the only textile acting on the figure that can undergo unlimited washes without losing its effectiveness.
Thanks to this thread, which contains mineral active ingredients, So’Slim keeps on acting: the mineral thread retains its properties infinitely, maintaining firmness and a continuous toning and firming action.
The combination of microcapsules and mineral thread produces faster results – and twice that of any other skincare garment.
2014
For the first time, SKINUP is awarded the 2014-2015 “Victoires de la Beauté” award for its Shaper Cosmeto Ceramic Leggings range
This latest generation of leggings, providing absolute comfort, effectively enhances the figure thanks to the combined action of ceramic fibres which increase the body temperature while diffusing a moisturising and firming cosmetic treatment.
2014 is marked by a new advance: the association of clothing with active and interactive labels, followed by “connected clothing”.
Objective: to optimise the efficiency of products by offering integrated coaching in order to better achieve its objectives. The label for clothing and underwear includes a Smart Tag® efficiency indicator which controls the action of the cosmetic care integrated into the fabric’s fibres. The integrated QR code then provides a summary and dedicated coaching based on the results obtained by the user.
The So’Slim slimming lingerie collection scores the highest score in the magazine’s rigorous tests conducted by 60 million consumers.
2015
For the second consecutive year, SKINUP wins the 2015-2016 “Victoires de la Beauté” award for its Skinny Jean’s
modelsTested under dermatological control, these unique jeans, with their fashionable cut, offer an unrivalled sculpting effect thanks to the millions of microcapsules attached to the heart of the fibres.
In 2015, SKINUP wins the Responsible Innovation Award at the “Rencontres de l’Entretien Textile” awards event.
Under the patronage of Emmanuel Macron - Minister of the Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs - and ADEME, a prestigious jury made up of well-known textile personalities rewards the Smart Tag® innovation integrated into the clothing labels.
2016
For the first time ever, the laboratory designs textiles with recognised medical devices, available in pharmacies and chemists.
2017
For the third time, SKINUP wins the 2017-2018 “Victoires de la Beauté” award, this time for its Beauty Therm innovation
A revolutionary innovation that integrates Jade technology into textile fibre.
The textile thus benefit from the exceptional properties of SKINUP’s triple action technology:
- A self-massaging, seamless 3D knit fabric for toning the body and beautifying the skin
- The use of natural jade fibre to slim the figure and provide continuous massaging effects
- Encapsulated marine phytochemical active ingredients for rapid and lasting results from as early as 7 days
2018
SKINUP continues to develop, as evidenced by:
- Its double-digit growth
- The launch of its e-commerce site and a digital magazine offering numerous beauty, fitness and health tips
The joining of prestigious networks
SKINUP is selected by several networks to join the most talented French companies in research and innovation:
- The Excellence network, which brings together the top 4,000 companies supported by Bpifrance
- The ANRT - Agence Nationale Recherche Technologie - which represents three-quarters of the national research and innovation effort through 170 companies
SKINUP is once again rewarded with the “Victoires de la Beauté” award
The training shorts from the Zero Defect range, with a push-up effect to enhance natural curves, is honoured with the 2018-2019 “Victoires de la Beauté” award. A guarantee of trust and quality emanating directly from consumers.
New models of leggings for the new “Victoires de la Beauté” awards
- Launch of Spiralo Beautytherm TJ400 slimming pants with their spiral pattern for continuous circular massage. A unique textile for a complete slimming treatment and spectacular results.
- The SPIRALO technology is also available in the SPIRALO LEGGINGS.
2 models registered at European level: the 2019 SKINUP exclusivities.
VICTOIRES DE LA BEAUTÉ awards
Revelation TOP INNOVATION of the 2019 Victoires De la Beauté awards , the SPIRALO slimming pants are successfully tested by 70 volunteers. The results are there: the slimming treatment works, the skin is hydrated, the thighs are firm and the figure curved. A unique & exclusive milestone: the technology is patented, the model is registered.
2020
Otherwise known as “the pivotal year”
SKINUP starts to reposition itself with the creation of SKINUP ACTIVE BODY WEAR. A premium brand, items from this line are available in the Sport, Everyday and Maternity Wear segments to support everyone on a daily basis.
ACTIVE BODY WEAR, to be worn throughout the day or during sports activities, naturally finds its place in a health segment that is conducive to accelerating digital distribution and also to change: developments in society, consumption patterns and sports activities. More than just a textile, Active Body Wear is now a valued ally.
Free and responsible
SKINUP develops a new range of period products under the FREEDOM brand. New labels that demonstrate the brand’s values: a commitment to the environment and to the search for products that are increasingly in harmony with our well-being. The textiles are made of organic cotton and carry the Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex® label: the guarantee of the absence of any substances harmful to the body and the environment.
SKINUP ACADEMY
A sports academy created in 2020, SKINUP ACADEMY is the first of its kind in France to offer a complete range: tennis, padel and pickleball for everyone.
In addition to this unique sporting offer, SKINUP ACADEMY is an innovative structure where an economic stakeholder in functional and active textiles places its knowledge and experience at the service of athletes seeking to improve their performance. Working hand in hand, this valuable partnership makes it possible to develop Active Body Wear that is attentive to physical needs for all those seeking top performance: support, physical recovery and compression, etc.
2021
Launch of the new Maternity Wear range
Dedicated to caring for future mothers and young mums, SKINUP launches its Maternity Wear collection. Responsible maternity clothing made of organic cotton and mineral fibres.