Ducray 90 years of useful innovation


A MAN
 A MEETING
 A HISTORY

ALBERT DUCRAY, AN INNOVATOR WITH A BOLD VISION

Albert Ducray was born in 1901, just as a new century was dawning.

As a young hairdresser making his way in Belle Époque Paris, Albert Ducray was quick to observe the damaging and dulling effects of soap powders when used as shampoos. Between 1929 and 1931 this dermatologist’s son created his own brand, Dr Ducray, and developed LIK Savon, a revolutionary range of single-dose shampoos adapted to different hair types.
History of Albert Ducray

After the war, Albert Ducray, liberated, continued to innovate, using dispensing pharmacies to distribute his products. This marks the beginning of an amazing success story.

Photo Albert Ducray
 

 
‘My father was genuinely curious and interested in everything he came across. He didn’t only have an amazing understanding of the time in which he  was living, he really was ahead   of  his time. He was a true innovator.’ Son of Albert Ducray
 






PIERRE FABRE, A KEY ENCOUNTER 

In 1969, Albert Ducray and Pierre Fabre, two men with a similar outlook on life and a shared ambition, met for the first time. Pierre Fabre Laboratories, already committed to cutting-edge hair care research, acquired Ducray.

This partnership gave the brand new momentum and further boosted its development.

The ongoing expansion led to the creation of the Extra-Gentle shampoo, presented at sales rep visits. As the first regular-use shampoo to respect the scalp’s balance, it has become a hair care classic and has stood the test of time.

From hair loss to sensitive skin, a comprehensive range of expert care products was then launched to include treatment of the most common hair disorders.
 
Meeting between Albert Ducray and Pierre-Fabre
 
DUCRAY, FROM HAIR TO SKIN 

In the 1980s, strengthened by medical professionals’ trust, Ducray took up a new challenge and developed Ictyane, which was to become a leader in dry skin care thanks to its revolutionary galenic composition. The brand continued its dermatological research and developed a range of targeted solutions to treat hair and skin disorders that can affect anyone. The 1990s saw the launch of no fewer than 20 products, including classic treatments, handed down from one generation to the next, such as Ictyane for dry skin and Keracnyl, later to become one of the products most frequently prescribed by doctors for acne-prone skin***. By the 2000s, our products were being distributed right across the world. They are now available in more than 80 countries.
 
Useful innovation from Ducray

DUCRAY, AN ENDURING PHILOSOPHY AND MOTTO 

In 2010, Ducray embarked on a new chapter, driven by a firmly-held conviction: useful innovation. At Ducray, we have an unfailing belief that we can continue to go the extra mile to treat skin disorders. This is why, for us, innovation has always meant developing skin care products that improve daily life and using science to provide long-lasting soothing effects. To better achieve this and offer innovative care, the brand adopted a contributory approach, involving both patients and healthcare professionals.

Whether we’re talking about the first Dr Ducray shampoos, the hair loss curbing products - Anaphase and Anacaps - or Kertyol P.S.O., composed of 4 complementary treatments for soothing psoriasis-prone skin, all share one thing in common: improving patients’ quality of life. This has been Ducray’s aim since day one and isn’t about to change anytime soon. Yet another example is Dexyane Med, Soothing repair cream*, a medical device indicated in the treatment of atopic, contact and chronic hand eczema. The result of 11 years of research, it provides a "dressing effect" and has proven clinical efficacy on eczema lesions. It is therefore only natural that in 2020, Ducray has reached a new milestone in its story and created the quality of life index. The aim is to accurately measure the impact of skin disorders on patients' lives in order to better guide and support them on a daily basis.
 
The history of DUCRAY's daily care
 
 
history of Laboratoires Dermatologiques Ducray : the first years history of Laboratoires Dermatologiques Ducray : the first years history of Laboratoires Dermatologiques Ducray: from the 70s to the 2000shistory of Laboratoires Dermatologiques Ducray: from the 2000s to the present day history of Laboratoires Dermatologiques Ducray: from the 2000s to the present day history of Laboratoires Dermatologiques Ducray: from the 2000s to the present day
 
***Keracnyl PP 30ML No.1 on the market for anti-seborrheic products prescribed by doctors in France
IQVIA – Xponent PharmaOne – market for anti-seborrheic products prescribed by doctors and sold in pharmacies in France – year 2018 – in volume
 
**DEXYANE MED Soothing repair cream for face, body and hands is a medical device and regulated healthcare product holding the CE mark under this regulation. Read the instructions in the leaflet carefully. Not to be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, on mucous membranes, or on the diaper area of young children. Avoid direct contact with the eyes. From 3 months and upwards. Manufacturer: Pierre Fabre Medical Devices. Update: March 2020. 230769.
DEXYANE MED, Palpebral, eyelids, is a medical device and regulated healthcare product holding the CE mark under this regulation. Read the instructions in the leaflet carefully. Not to be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Avoid direct contact with the eyes. From 3 months and upwards. Manufacturer: Pierre Fabre Medical Devices. Updated: August 2019. 230769.
history of Laboratoires Dermatologiques Ducray: from the 2000s to the present day
 

Ducray, a french story