A biochemist by training and founder of the Altho laboratory in 2012, the ingenious Thomas Rostaing has chosen to combine “meaning and passion” through an unwavering commitment to natural cosmetics. For this hyperactive, multi-talented creator, the plant world remains the key to his boundless curiosity and of course, his life’s work.
A graduate engineer in biochemistry, Thomas Rostaing began his career working on emulsions at Rhône Poulenc. “I did research on the behavior of surfactants at interfaces.” After a brief stint - literally four hours - in a large cosmetics group, he joined Alban-Muller’s research team, specializing in plant extraction. At just 24, Thomas became head of production and remained there for seven years. Seven years of reflection and action on developing products based on essential oils and expanding the production workshop. Then, “I wanted to leave the industry and enjoy a better quality of life by returning to my native region, the Gers.”
That was in 2007, the year of his reset and return to his roots. For two years, the ever curious Thomas renovated his home, stone by stone, tile by tile, while working again on formulations based on phytotherapy and aromatherapy. This time for horses. “The brand Equi Natura, which has now existed for 15 years, is 100% organic and well known in the equestrian world.” After whispering in horses’ ears, Thomas returned to the human realm. By creating his first lab - Altho -, he aimed high and struck true. Essential oils and natural products were booming. Nine years later, Altho formulates more than 600 products and/or handles their regulatory files. With around thirty employees, the lab now manages over 110 brands. Chapeau, Altho!
At the Rhythm of the Plant
At 36, Thomas returned to his first love, growing medicinal plants. He purchased eleven hectares of land and planted lemon balm, clary sage, peppermint, oregano, and hyssop. It was a false start, the yields were poor, the problem lying at the roots. Persistent, he replanted two hectares with true lavender, Roman chamomile, and French helichrysum. Yet the olfactory quality and profitability were still not there.
To give voice to the plant, in other words, to “better select and transform it”, the tireless Thomas decided to design his own analytical tools and stills. A true “nature & progress” alliance, beneficial for the advancement of natural cosmetics. “Some plants have strong personalities. Others are secretive. But all must be earned.” Today, he knows over 140 of them intimately but admits, “I still haven’t unlocked all the secrets of helichrysum (immortelle d’Italie), even after seven years of work.”
An indefatigable explorer with a true farmer’s soul, Thomas Rostaing loves to leave his native Gers to travel the world in search of human connections and new aromas. Sometimes he discovers treasures “after two days of trekking through inaccessible areas, ending barefoot.” Such was the case with blue ginger, a magnificent root native to Madagascar, which he now cultivates locally on more than 11 hectares. 
Sometimes, he distills for sixteen hours straight in mangroves surrounded by water snakes, an artisan’s work worthy of a “Koh-Lanta” trophy, for his Sri Lankan cinnamon. Ultimately, Thomas’s life has always been set to the rhythm of the plant. He cultivates 120 varieties around the world and will soon pay tribute to them in an upcoming* book.
He also chairs a selective group of producers in the Gers, spanning 150 hectares and is currently defining a new benchmark for natural authenticity in aromatherapy. Because even in this field, one must separate the wheat from the chaff: the true essential oils from the synthetic ones. Yet another mission for this man of commitment and conviction. *At the Rhythm of the Plant.