"Rather than focusing on me, let's dive into GAIIA's story. It's fundamentally a tale of friendship between two 30-something friends dreaming of becoming cold process soap makers. That dream materialized in 2009 with the launch of GAIIA. Franck hails from Drôme, while Philippe spent 20 years in Goa, India, before returning to France in 2018. Together, we craft our soaps at the GAIIA workshop in Montelier, a charming Drôme village with Provençal vibes."
To create GAIIA soaps, we prioritize high-quality raw materials like organic vegetable butters and oils. We ban controversial paraffin derivatives (often marketed as moisturizers but merely forming a superficial film on skin). No synthetic fragrances or dyes either—essential oils provide natural perfume instead. For sensitive skin—including babies, children, or expectant mothers—our essential oil-free soaps are ideal. Shop GAIIA's cold process soaps at our NUOO online store!
"GAIIA emerged from a mission to replace petrochemical shampoos and gels—true dermatological risks—with healthy, eco-friendly alternatives. Our philosophy? Soap, water, and pure naturalness. Using the time-honored cold saponification method, our soaps are handcrafted, cut, shaped, and stamped. Free of petrochemicals and synthetics, they're fully organic, biodegradable, and produced without pollution."
GAIIA's cold process soaps retain full moisturizing power alongside effective cleansing. A soap should nourish too. By skipping heat treatment, we preserve raw material integrity and their hydrating benefits. The result? Glycerin-rich soaps that protect and soften skin. Learn more about cold saponification here.
"Every GAIIA product is vegan, with a relentless pursuit of zero waste. No single-use plastics here—our anhydrous (water-free) cosmetics conserve precious resources and skip preservatives. Solid formats eliminate packaging needs, enabling zero-waste bulk sales. Note: preservatives are required in water-heavy formulas!
We even repurpose soap scraps from cutting into sellable batches: classic Marseille-style, our bestseller (the ultra-gentle 5-in-1 GAIIA soap), and creative 'puddings' blending organic soap remnants.
From day one, every aspect thrills us! "Soap making encompasses formulation, social media, business management, packaging design, and e-shop photography. It's rich exchanges with local customers, pharmacies, and retailers like our organic cosmetics hub, NUOO."
The magic peaks when oils transform into soap. Producing in-house lets us cut, touch, and perfect each bar—a sensory highlight, per our founders. The finale? Stamping each soap and shampoo, then boxing them.
"Our top seller is L’UNIQUE Très Doux surgras soap, perfect for the most sensitive skin."
This NUOO favorite is a versatile powerhouse: body, intimate areas, face, hair wash, makeup remover, and shave aid—all in one! Close behind is L'INTUITIF surgras, with subtle citrus notes.
The GAIIA solid shampoo shines too—suits most hair types, lasts like two liquid bottles, and is eco-friendly and economical, fragrance-free for broad appeal.
Final note to our community: "Protect your skin and planet with gentle, moisturizing, eco-savvy cold process soap!"
