FAQs

COMPANY INFORMATION AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES

What is the origin of the name Davines and how do you pronounce it?

The Bollati family established Davines in 1983 in Parma, Italy. The company started as a research laboratory specialized in the production of top quality hair and skin care products for renowned cosmetic companies worldwide. Davines is a combination of the names Davide (Chairman of the company) and his sister Stefania. It is pronounced Da-vee-ness.

Where are Davines products made? Are they made in Italy?

Every Davines product is designed, formulated and produced on our premises and in our laboratories in Parma. Therefore, they are all made in Italy.

What are the vision and values of the Davines brand?

At Davines we believe that the balance between beauty and sustainability, what we call “sustainable beauty”, can improve our lives and the world around us. By creating "beauty” we want to encourage people to take care of themselves, of the environment in which they live and work and of the things they love. For Davines, sustainability represents the brand's responsibility to ourselves, the people we work with, our customers, and the world in which we live and operate.

What does “zero impact packaging” mean?

The cornerstones on which we base our packaging selection process are: using as little raw material as possible, using recyclable material, optimizing logistics and implementing quality controls to avoid waste. We only use the minimum amount of plastic needed to contain and protect our products; we only use primary packaging and have eliminated external cardboard boxes and if this is not possible, we prefer recycled or compostable materials; when possible, we develop packaging that can be reused; we also use recyclable materials for the creation of our packaging. Several years ago, we adopted a policy of compensation for the emission of greenhouse gas, aiming for “carbon neutrality” of the packaging of our most popular product lines. Davines was the first Italian company in the professional cosmetic sector to join LifeGate's Zero Impact® project. In 2018, Davines achieved carbon neutrality in packaging for all of the Group's product lines, compensating Co2 emissions with the creation and protection of forests in various areas of the world and, in particular, by supporting the Ethio Trees project for the regeneration of land and forests in Ethiopia, supporting local farming communities for the procurement of drinking water.

Does Davines use renewable energy?

The Davines Village is carbon neutral. In our factories and offices, we use only electricity and thermal energy (biomethane) from renewable sources. These inexhaustible sources of energy do not emit CO2, do not pollute, and are constantly renewed. Every product we formulate, design and produce is manufactured using clean energy.

Which products contain Slow Food ingredients?

Our SU line, for hair protection during the summer, our A Single Shampoo and our Essential Haircare families contain a specific active ingredient produced in the Mediterranean area by Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity, a non-profit association that combines the promotion of gastronomic culture with the protection of environmentally sustainable productions.

What is the Carta Etica?

“Davines does not aim to be the biggest company in the world, but to be the most beautiful and the most ethical thanks to everyone's commitment.  Davide Bollati - chairman of the Davines  group (during the 2006 meeting where the Carta Etica was handed out to Davines employees). Our Carta Etica is inspired by the concept of beauty taken from an ancient philosophy that unequivocally associates “beauty” with “goodness”.  After years of work with a philosopher advisor, Davines employees have put together a list of professional values related to behavior and work ethics, and to the way in which small everyday gestures can improve the work environment. It is basically a tool that helps us to describe how the Davines way of working is conceived and perceived. Unlike strict codes, our Carta does not contain rules or instructions. We work every day to ensure that this cohesion from shared values reverberates in the quality of our services. In this perspective, the Carta Etica has become fundamental for our vision of beauty.

Does Davines test on animals?

No, the Davines Group does not test on animals. To discover more on our position please visit this page.

Why has Davines become a B Corp? What does it mean?

The Davines Group has been a B Corp since 2016. The certification awarded by the Italian body B Lab is a result of the company's new way of doing business, combining profit making with the objective of generating a positive impact on people and on the environment; this is expressed through the continuous development of new projects inside and outside the company to positively affect the environment and the people.


INGREDIENTS

Do Davines products contain allergens?

Some Davines products contain fragrances that are characterized by allergens. They are included in the list of ingredients, as required by cosmetic regulations. For further details or specific questions that are not answered in the list of ingredients of each product provided in the Davines website, please contact us directly.

Do Davines products contain gluten?

Some Davines products contain gluten. A product for external use will not affect or harm celiacs, as it is not ingested. 

Do Davines products contain parabens?

The guidelines for formulation of Davines products have long ago excluded the use of parabens as preservatives in new products and in raw materials.

Do Davines products contain silicones?

Silicones have a conditioning and protective effect on the structure of hair, therefore they are fundamental in many formulations. The silicones we use are referred to as “transpirant”, as they do not leave negative residues on the hair, they are easily removed with a light shampoo and, most importantly, they do not affect the performance of technical treatments.

Do Davines products contain sulphates?

The guidelines for formulation of Davines products have long ago excluded the use of sulphates as surfactants in new shampoo formulations.

Do Davines products contain nickel?

Traces of nickel can be found in cosmetics as a technically inevitable impurity (e.g. deriving from raw materials). There is no test that can guarantee the total absence of nickel and this is the reason why Davines has decided not to carry out the test.

Do Davines products contain fragrances?

Yes, Davines products are characterized by olfactory notes. The pleasant experience during the use of sale products and professional treatments is an element of excellence that the company wants to guarantee. Cosmetics with fine textures and subtle fragrances make our daily beauty routine a delightful moment and invite us to take care of ourselves.

Do Davines products contain alcohol?

Some Davines formulations contain alcohol, because it acts as a solubilizer to increase the penetration of active ingredients, to solubilize the resins in styling products, to make products lighter on the hair and to facilitate drying. If formulas are well-balanced they will not damage the hair shaft.

Do Davines products contain nanomaterials?

No, Davines products do not contain nanomaterials.

Do Davines products contain preservatives?

Any formulation containing water is at risk for microbial contamination, therefore we use preservatives to protect it. Some of the preservatives we use are food-grade and all of them are admitted in certified organic formulations.

Do Davines products contain salt?

Yes, salt is a secondary ingredient of surfactants and a small percentage is used in some shampoos to control their viscosity, that is why it is included in the list of ingredients. Salt has no effect on hair.

Do Davines products contain UV ray protection?

Yes, even though it is not possible to calculate the sun protection factor (SPF) of hair products, as they are applied to the hair and not to the skin.

Are Davines products organic?

Davines uses ingredients produced by organic farms, but our formulations are not certified as organic.

Are Davines products natural?

Davines products are always formulated with natural origin ingredients, when available and suitable, but they are mixed with synthetic ingredients, to guarantee safety and performance. The percentage of natural ingredients is indicated in the product specifications.

Are Davines products vegan?

Some Davines products cannot be defined vegan due to substances contained in them. Essential Haircare Volu hair mist contains keratin. Nourishing Royal Jelly Superactive, because it contains royal jelly. This is a Strong Dry Wax and This is a Strong Molding Clay, because they contain beeswax. All product specifications include a list of ingredients, which we invite you to check if you have any doubts. 

Do Davines products have an expiry date?

No, cosmetic products do not have expiry dates. The regulation specifies that if the minimum durability of a cosmetic product is less than 30 months, the date must be indicated on the label. This is the date before which a properly stored product will continue to fulfil its initial function and remain safe. This date must be indicated with the words “Best before...” followed by the month and year. The label also specifies any conditions that need to be observed to guarantee durability. Indication of the minimum durability period is not mandatory for cosmetic products with durability over 30 months.

What does PAO stand for?

PAO (Period After Opening) indicates the number of months by which a cosmetic product must be used once it has been opened.

What happens if I use Davines products after the date indicated by the PAO?

Davines cannot guarantee the microbiological safety of the product, as we do not know how the product is stored and handled after opening.

Are Davines products suitable for people suffering from skin allergies?

All Davines products are formulated in compliance with regulations, using certified ingredients that are safe for consumers. The list of ingredients provided on each package, as required by cosmetic regulations, shows all the ingredients contained in the product's formulation. Skin allergies are subjective, therefore we recommend you carefully read the list of ingredients and perform a patch test before using.

Where are Davines products made?

Practically all Davines products are made in Italy: most of them in our Parma factory while aerosol products are made by a certified Italian supplier. Aerosols sold in the United States are made locally, because their regulations differ from those applied in Europe.

Can I use Davines products when pregnant or while breastfeeding?

Davines products are in line with the current cosmetic standards. However, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, strong changes occur in the body of each woman. So, before using Davines products during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, ask your gynecologist or family doctor for advice: knowing your personal history, he will be able to guide you.

Are Davines products safe?

Davines products are safe when normal conditions of use are applied in accordance with the rules set forth by applicable European laws. All our products are manufactured and tested according to strict quality control guidelines set out by Davines. All our formulas comply with current European laws and have been tested to guarantee that they provide excellent effectiveness and tolerance results. All the ingredients used by Davines laboratories are included in the list of ingredients authorized by European laws for use in cosmetic products. Davines monitors the safety of each product sold around the world in conformity with its rigorous internal quality and safety standards.

Where can I view the list of ingredients for Davines products?

The list of ingredients is printed on the back of every product, except for products that come in a box, as cosmetic regulations require the list to be printed on the box. The INCI of every product is also published on our website.

What does INCI stand for?

INCI (International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredients) is an international name used to indicate on the label the various ingredients present in a cosmetic product.

How do you read the INCI list?

The INCI list includes all the substances used in a cosmetic formula starting with the one found in the highest concentration to the one with the lowest concentration. All the substances included in the formula are listed. In addition, Davines have decided to also include in the INCI list the preservatives of raw materials (this is not required by the law) to ensure maximum transparency about the formulas.

What is the pH value of Davines products?

The pH of Davines products varies according to the product considered. In general, our shampoos have a pH ranging from 5 to 5.8; our conditions from 3.8 to 4.8; our treatments have a pH of approximately 5. Further details are available on request, but bear in mind that the pH value varies with temperature, and the value given by Davines was measured under standard conditions (i.e. at 20°C).

Can Davines product be considered safe for use on children?

Our advice is to use Davines products on children over approximately 8 years old, except for Purifying Shampoos, which we recommend for over 14 year olds.

If a product changes color, can I still use it?

You absolutely can. Davines uses food-grade colors, therefore they may be subject to chromatic alteration, especially if the product is in a clear packaging, however this will not affect its performance.

I have specific skin problems (psoriasis, dermatitis, dandruff, etc.), which product can I use?

For specific problems such as these, we recommend you seek the advice of a specialist.

How should I store Davines products?



Davines products do not need special storage; when possible, avoid exposing them to excessive heat.

What does “modified natural” mean?

The “modified natural” definition applies to ingredients that have a natural part combined with a synthetic part.

What does “synthetic ingredient” mean?

Synthetic ingredients are those that are completely obtained from synthetic reactions. 

Do Davines products contain palm oil?

Davines buys preferably palm oil certified by RSPO (Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil), which guarantees that it does not cause environmental damage.

What method do you use to calculate the percentage of naturalness of your products?

At Davines, “natural origin ingredient” means an ingredient that retains 100% of its naturalness, even after chemical transformation obtained by means of approved processes. This does not include any raw material with a synthetic component.

What method do you use to calculate the percentage of biodegradability of your products?

Biodegradability is calculated as the sum of the percentage of rapidly biodegradable raw materials according to the OECD 301 method. This method defines as “rapidly biodegradable” an ingredient that exhibits a degradation of at least 70% over 28 days.