At the time of its acquisition by the Shiseido Group in 2022, Gallinée generated 95% of its sales through online channels. Since then, the brand has significantly expanded its footprint across Europe and now counts 1,250 active points of sale. This successful integration is based on combining Gallinée’s consumer-centric, microbiome-driven approach with Shiseido’s research capabilities.
Pilot brand
Today, Gallinée plays a key role in the development of Shiseido’s pharmacy channel across Europe. The French microbiome specialist acts as a pilot brand within the European dermocosmetics market, enabling the group to build and deploy a strategy tailored to the pharmacy market, identified as a priority growth driver.
“Gallinée perfectly illustrates our ambition to develop science-driven skincare brands within the pharmacy channel, where expertise, trust and professional recommendation are essential,” explains Florian d’Hauteville, Chief Business Officer, Shiseido EMEA. “Its progressive expansion in this distribution channel is part of a long-term growth strategy built on science, operational excellence and sustainable value creation.”
The brand now plans to accelerate its development with the opening of at least 300 pharmacies per national market, with a longer-term ambition of expanding to 5,000 pharmacies across France, Italy, and Spain.
Microbiome-focused innovation
The move into the pharmacy channel — an environment grounded in trust and expert recommendation — was a natural fit for a brand dedicated to addressing skin health concerns.
At the heart of Gallinée’s strategy lies a simple philosophy: support the skin’s ecosystem without disrupting it.
“This approach is fully aligned with Shiseido’s scientific strategy, which has established the microbiome as a key pillar of its research and innovation,” says Marie Drago, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Gallinée. The Group draws on dedicated research centers, bringing together expertise in formulation, toxicology, safety assessment and quality control, to develop a deeper understanding of the interactions between the skin and its microbiome.
Today, Gallinée benefits from structured microbiome expertise and an innovation pipeline protected by intellectual property. The brand holds four patents underpinning a distinctive “microbiome system.” Among these patents is the use of vinegar as a postbiotic ingredient, a first in skincare.
“Joining the Shiseido Group has enabled us to accelerate our growth without ever compromising our DNA. Expanding into pharmacy was a natural step: it is a channel where we can speak seriously about skin balance and long-term care. Increasing our presence while remaining clear and truly useful to consumers is exactly what we are building today,” adds Marie Drago.
First-to-market products
This structured expansion is supported by the strong performance of Gallinée’s iconic products, starting with the Face Vinegar, now sold every 30 minutes worldwide, nearly ten years after its launch. In 2025, sales of the Vinegar range doubled compared to 2024, confirming its status as a flagship franchise for the brand. The Vinegar range accounts for 23% of total brand sales in 2025, while the Universal range remains the brand’s leading pillar, representing 28% of total sales.
At the same time, Gallinée continues to drive sustained innovation. The Youthful Eye Cream entered the brand’s top five references after just four months on the market in 2025. Since joining Shiseido, Gallinée has launched five new facial products, all made in France.
