I get up in the middle of the night, light myself a cigarette. The clock has just struck three, more than three hours since I got home from the Eau Thermale Avène & Ducray High,Level Stakeholder Preview Event at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence, Nairobi Arboretum.
Pierre Fabre, one of the world’s leading dermo,cosmetic and pharmaceutical groups, alongside its exclusive African partner Groupe Ethica, had just officially introduced Avène and Ducray to the Kenyan market.
Sleep wouldn’t come. Maybe it was the wine, quite a generous amount, I’ll admit. Or maybe the event itself, and how thoroughly it impressed me.
Arrival & First Impressions: A Masterclass in Brand Identity
As it was my first time at a dermocosmetic event, I had looked forward to the evening.
Hosted on the lower,ground terrace, the entrance alone was an experience: walking past the hotel’s massive mosaic fountain and into a space bathed in Ducray’s cool blue and Avène’s clean white,an intimate, softly lit environment that immediately communicated the brands’ personalities.
“Hello, sir,” the hostess asked, “may I take your coat?”
I had to stop myself from laughing, looking at the ragged denim slung over my arm.
“Thank you, my lady. However, it might get chilly as the evening progresses, so I’ll hold on to this,” I said, registering my attendance.
“Welcome,” she smiled before leading me to the bar.
This small moment alone said a lot about the event design: warmth, politeness, attention to detail, and seamless guest flow.
Atmosphere, Hospitality & Networking
“Double,” I signaled to the bartender at the Tennessee station. First order of business.
“There you are,” a voice called behind me.
Tirok, editor of East Africa Business Times, appeared, palm extended. With his cab reputation, I wasn’t surprised to see him attending.
“You like your bottles,” he joked as the drink stung my tongue.
Beyond the banter, networking was effortless. The space was curated for comfortable movement, no overcrowding, no noise spilling over, and the terrace’s natural breeze balancing out the warm lighting.
Event planners will appreciate how intentional lighting, color, and layout were leveraged to create a premium, but relaxed experience.
The Demo Booths: Clean Design, Clear Messaging
We headed to the double demo booth.
On Avène’s side, clean whites and warm orange accents.
Ducray’s side, calm blues and clinical whites.
The palette alone could have taught a branding class.
Displaying a range of hair and skincare products, the booth was well,staffed and interactive,no waiting, no guesswork.
“I’ve tried the cream,” Tirok said, pointing at a tube labeled Dexyane anti,scratching emollient balm,quite the mouthful.
“It’s a treatment for the face and body that nourishes and soothes very dry skin prone to atopic eczema,” a lady offered.
“Dr. Roop Saini, Consultant Dermatologist,” she introduced herself.
The demo experience stood out because it wasn’t pushy or overly scripted. Guests were allowed to explore, ask, feel, and learn, the key to a product-centered event.
Insights & Industry Relevance
The global dermo-cosmetics market was valued at USD 52.12 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 92.83 billion by 2030. According to Tirok, the launch, endorsed by the Kenya Association of Dermatologists (KAD), was a major moment for healthcare professionals.
Kenya has quietly become East Africa’s anchor market for medical-grade skincare, with pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals driving growth.
Together, Avène and Ducray bring more than three centuries of dermatological science, medical collaboration, and pharmacy, leading innovation to Kenya.
Local consumers will now access some of the brands’ hero ranges validated for the region’s climate and common skin concerns, including:
Avène
• Cleanance
• Hydrance
• Cicalfate+
• The award, winning TriAsorB™ SPF 50+
Ducray
• Keracnyl
• Dexyane
• Icytane
• Anaphase+
• Melascreen
Brand Positioning & Event Execution
The event succeeded because it wasn’t just a product showcase; it was a mood, a positioning statement.
Everything, from the terrace setup and lighting to the bar experience, demos, and expert interactions, reinforced Avène and Ducray’s identity as medical-grade yet elegant skincare brands.
Recalling the words of Marcello Alagna, a director at Pierre Fabre Group:
“Kenya is one of Africa’s most exciting and fast-evolving skincare markets.”
Their expansion into Kenya, he added, was driven by growing demand for targeted, dermatologist-endorsed solutions, and they look forward to groundbreaking collaboration with healthcare professionals across the region.
Final Reflection
By the time I left the event, there was no doubt: this was one of the most thoughtfully executed brand launches I’ve attended. The blend of medical credibility, aesthetic finesse, effortless hospitality, and immersive brand storytelling was impressive.
No wonder I was still awake at three in the morning, wine aside.
