History

Hubert d'Ornano founded Sisley in Paris in 1976, acquiring an existing fragrance company and renaming it after the Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley. D'Ornano's background was exceptional: his father Guillaume co-founded Lancôme, and he himself had previously founded Orlane. For Sisley, he had a singular vision: to create a luxury skincare range built entirely on phyto-cosmetology — the use of botanical active ingredients and essential oils — at a time when this was a radically innovative concept. Plant-based cosmetics were unknown in serious skincare.

Phyto-cosmetology

Sisley's founding philosophy holds that plants, properly extracted and combined, are the most effective and skin-compatible sources of active ingredients available. Every Sisley product is formulated around rigorously researched botanical extracts — from plant stem cells to rare plant hormones — combined with equally rigorous science. The essential oils in Sisley products are not merely fragrant: they serve as bio-conductors that transport active ingredients deeper into the skin's layers. This dual action — botanical efficacy plus enhanced delivery — is Sisley's point of difference. The company's own R&D laboratories in Saint-Ouen develop and test every formula.

Three Generations

Hubert d'Ornano died in 2015 having built Sisley into a global luxury brand with operations in over 90 countries, while maintaining 100% family ownership. His wife Isabelle and son Philippe now lead the company; daughters Christine and Elisabeth also work within it. This generational continuity — unusual in an era of private equity and conglomerate acquisition — gives Sisley a consistency of vision and quality that the d'Ornanos credit directly to remaining independent. The Sisley-d'Ornano Foundation supports charitable work across France and internationally.

Collections

Sisley's skincare range spans moisturisers, anti-ageing serums and creams, eye treatments, cleansers and targeted treatments for every skin type. The Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream — formulated with black rose extract and its unique youth-preserving properties — is among the house's most beloved heroes. The Ecological Compound, introduced in 1980 and marketed to both men and women, remains a bestseller. The makeup range, with its zebra-print packaging conceived by Isabelle d'Ornano, contains the same botanical active ingredients as the skincare. Hair Rituel by Sisley addresses scalp health and hair quality.

Prices

Sisley entry products — cleansers, toners — begin around €80–120. The Ecological Compound moisturiser is approximately €190 for 125ml. The Supremÿa At Night anti-ageing serum is approximately €440. The Black Rose Cream Mask is around €130. All Sisley products are manufactured in France. The brand is sold in department stores, Sisley boutiques (Maisons Sisley) and online at sisley-paris.com.