FRENCH PHARMACY BEAUTY MUST-HAVES
The French know a thing or two about skincare and many start their routines young, following a trip to the ‘pharmacie’ to pick up a few simple products and absorbing knowledge from their mothers. French skincare is synonymous with brands like La Roche Posay, Vichy, and Bioderma to name just a few. Not long ago French pharmacy products functioned as under-the-radar workhorses of the fashion and beauty industries, frequently used by make-up artists and editors alike but not widely available elsewhere. Likewise, no skincare obsessive’s trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to Citypharma, an iconic pharmacy stocking all the skincare one could ever wish for.
Today, we can shop for all the great products from the comfort of our homes. And in this post I wanted to round up the best French pharmacy products to help you find some new favourites (hopefully without breaking the bank) and tell you all about the products I’m never without. Most products on this list are very affordable, especially for the quality that you’re guaranteed to get. With that in mind, let’s take a dive into the world of French pharmacy beauty must haves.
Micellar Water
Who remembers reading about Bioderma’s Sensibio H2O in every single Into The Gloss Top Shelf? It really is the quintessential French pharmacy product and one of the power players behind the French skincare obsession. I’m not surprised as it really is a great product to have on hand; you can use it as a first cleanse or to fix make-up mistakes (plus the minis are ideal for travel). I generally think it’s hard to go wrong with a French micellar water, so don’t be afraid to branch out beyond Bioderma. The Caudalie micellar water features grape and chamomile extracts while the 400ml size is incredible value. One misconception about micellar water is that it’s a ‘no rinse’ product when in fact you should wash your face after using it to rinse away the micelles (cleansing molecules), even if it’s just with a few splashes of water.
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Cleansers
I firmly believe that cleansers should be uncomplicated, inexpensive, and use gentle ingredients to cleanse. If your skin feels dry and tight after cleansing, then your product might be too harsh. Yes, even if you’re someone with oily skin. Nuxe’s Reve De Miel cleanser is a good choice for most skin types; it’s soap-free and full of soothing honey and sunflower oil to gently cleanse the skin. For more problem-prone skin, Vichy and Caudalie utilise purifying ingredients without drying out the complexion.
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Serums
When it comes to my skincare routine, serums (yes, multiple) are a non-negotiable step and one I’m not opposed to spending a little more on. A huge round-up of all my most recommended serums can be found here but I wanted to highlight some French pharmacy favourites too. Tailor your serum based on your skin concern, whether that’s dehydration, fine lines, or pigmentation. Otherwise using something hydrating twice a day (I love Vichy’s Mineral 89 serum for this), plus an antioxidant in the morning is a great position from which to support your skin health.
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Moisturisers
Moisturisers are another category that the French pharmacy does exceptionally well, no matter your skin type or concern. One of the most iconic products is the Embryolisse moisturiser, once upon a time used seemingly by every make-up artist. It’s a rich formula best suited for drier skins or indeed under make up, as it creates a gorgeous base. La Roche Posay’s Toleriane range is one of my favourites for being fragrance-free and doing exactly what it says on the bottle. But really, you basically can’t go wrong with a French pharmacy moisturiser.
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SPF
I won’t spend too long talking about SPF as I recently posted a huge edit of all the best products, broken down by factor and skin type. It bears saying that many French pharmacy sunscreens are at the cutting edge of sunscreen technology, utilising innovative filters and creating cosmetically elegant formulas that are a pleasure to use. There is one key difference between the sunscreens sold in the US and the UK/EU; the US hasn’t yet approved some of the chemical filters that the EU has been using for years (it doesn’t apply to mineral filters!), but while the filters may be different, you’ll still be getting a great SPF product that protects your skin.
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Lip Balms
In theory, a good lip balm shouldn’t be hard to find. Too often, however, they can feel thin or not moisturising enough, creating a film on the lips instead. The mark of a good lip balm is how often it needs to be reapplied; more than two or three times a day and I don’t think it’s doing a good job. Sometimes I like a lighter lip balm during the day, like La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume Lips (a hydrating cream gel), reaching for a thicker, mask-style balm at night - the classic Nuxe Reve De Miel. Both leave the lips feeling comfortable and hydrated without the need for frequent reapplication.
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Words by Zhenya Tsenzharyk.
