Photo by © Caudalie
All beauty aficionados know that when it comes to skincare — especially moisturizers — French brands are among the best. Renowned for their naturally radiant complexions, French women’s (and men’s!) flawless skin is thanks to the fact that they need not travel far to get the best in dermatologist-recommended products…. Instead, they simply head to the local pharmacy — a cosmetics haven where some of the industry’s most respected skincare products can be picked straight off the shelf.
In general, the French favor a gentle and protective approach to their skincare, typically choosing formulas that are nourishing, barrier-supporting and designed with sensitive skin in mind. Active ingredients certainly have their place, but are often balanced carefully, resulting in formulas that can be used daily without overwhelming the skin.
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For those around the world without the pharmacie’s glowing green cross on the corner of their street, you are still in luck. Many of the beloved brands French pharmacy brands are now readily available online and can be shipped directly to your door. To guide your shopping, we’ve rounded up seven of our tried-and-true favorite moisturisers from some best names in French skincare, with options for every skin type.
Violette FR: C’est la Cream
For a moisturized perfect make-up base
$68
Made with French marshmallow root, squalene, jojoba oil and hydrating beet sugars, this silky, melt-into-the-skin moisturizer shields against pollution, helps improve firmness and deeply hydrates. One of the latest launches from Violette FR — a newer but much loved brand — the fragrance free formula is designed to nourish the skin’s microbiome and increase skin barrier strength, making it is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive.
Use either in the morning (the velvety finish wears beautifully under makeup), or layered thick as a treatment mask overnight.
Typology: 9-ingredient Face Moisturizer
For lightweight hydration on all skin types
$39.90
Exactly as its name suggests, this lightweight moisturizer is composed of just 9 simple, essential ingredients. Suitable for any type of skin, this non-greasy lotion is an ideal product for daily hydration and nourishment.
Like all of Typology’s products, we love the paired-back nature of the pure and basic composition as well as the eco-friendly, recycled packaging. There is a reason this B-Corp Certified brand is taking the French skincare world by storm!
SVR: [HYALU]Biotic Regenerating Plumping Gel
For plumping and smoothing dehydrated and sensitive skin
$65
Protecting the skin with a base combination of three essential ingredients – pasteurized probiotics, stabilized vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid – the [HYALU] Biotic Gel visibly plumps skin and smooths the appearance of fine lines in dehydrated skin.
This French Pharmacy dermatological skincare brand was created in the 1960s by French pharmacists and is still prescribed by doctors today. Each product lists the exact results of its tests on users, enforcing the brand’s reliability on the pharmacy shelves.
Caudalie: Premier Cru Anti-Aging Cream Moisturizer
For improving skin elasticity and firmness
$119
Playing off the brand’s inextricable connection with ingredients derived from French vineyards, the Premier Cru collection is one of Caudalie’s best and most prestigious products. This Anti-Aging Cream moisturizer is clinically shown to improve visible elasticity, radiance and firmness while diminishing wrinkles and dark spots.
Caudalie’s unique story has its roots in Bordeaux, where the brand’s founders discovered the powerful antioxidants and healing powers derived from grape seeds. Using her parent’s estate to test out the land’s resources, the simple skincare products from the vines grew into one of the most popular natural beauty brands in France.
Embyolisse: Concentré Multi-Function Moisturizer
The do-it-all cream
$32
A French pharmacy staple for good reason, this rich yet lightweight cream is loved by makeup artists and dermatologists alike for its simple, multi-purpose formula. Made with shea butter, beeswax, aloe vera and soy proteins, it deeply moisturizes while leaving skin soft, supple and protected.
Use it as a daily on the face and body, as makeup primer, or apply a thick layer as an overnight mask. It can also be used as a cream make-up remover and soothing after-sun treatment.
La Roche-Posay: Cicaplast Balm B5 Soothing Therapeutic Multi Purpose Cream
For healing and skin barrier support
$20.99
A true French pharmacy classic. This multi-purpose balm is our favorite rescue for dry, irritated or compromised skin. Formulated with shea butter, glycerin and panthenol (vitamin B5), it delivers deep hydration while calming visible redness and discomfort. Copper, zinc and manganese also help support skin repair and reduce the look of irritation.
Though rich, the formula is suitable for all skin-types, and is particularly good for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. Apply at night as the last step of your skincare routine for a glowing complexion come morning.
La Mer: The Moisturizing Soft Cream
For reversing age signs
$200
Renowned for being one of the most luxurious skincare brands, La Mer’s signature moisturizer is a silky-soft cream that helps reverse and resist visible signs of age using their patented Miracle Broth formula.
Using a highly researched and tested combination of natural ingredients from the sea, La Mer’s innovative and transformative products have launched the brand into a cult favorite in the French skincare world.
Read next: 7 Favorite French Perfumes
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