The 10 Best French Pharmacy Beauty Products
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Last month, I visited my boyfriend and his family in France. Although I’m currently studying in Germany, France still feels like my home away from home. After living there for almost a year, I became an admirer of French food, wine, architecture and pharmacies.
Every time I visit France, one of my first stops is to the pharmacie where I stock up on all of my beauty essentials. If you’re a self-proclaimed Francophile, then you’ve probably tried some cult pharmacy favorites like the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse or the Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk. These two items are always stocked in my beauty cabinet along with the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Sunscreen. This sunscreen has become my go-to for reapplying SPF in the summer months.
To help you frenchify your beauty routine, here are the 10 best French pharmacy beauty products. If you aren’t traveling or living in France, you can shop all of these pharmacy finds online.
Bioderma Micellar Water
This micellar water cleanses and removes makeup without disrupting your skin’s natural barrier. It contains no alcohol or parabens, which means it’s won’t dry out or irritate your skin. Plus it removes waterproof mascara. It’s not surprising that a bottle is sold every three seconds worldwide.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse
Almost every Parisian woman has a bottle of this multi-purpose dry oil in her beauty cabinet. It leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth and the hair with incredible shine. Try the original formula (it smells like summer in a bottle) or other variations like floral, Neroli or golden shimmer.
Avène Thermal Spring Water
Light and refreshing, this thermal spring water instantly rehydrates and soothes the skin with just one spritz. Use it to calm redness, cool yourself on a hot day and even set your makeup. This is another multi-purpose beauty product you’ll want to incorporate into your skincare regime.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir
This brightening beauty spray certainly lives up to its enchanting name. Great for sensitive or oily skin, it tightens pores, sets makeup and provides an instant burst of radiance. Mist it onto your face after cleansing, after applying makeup or anytime throughout the day for a healthy, glowing complexion.
Vichy Mineral 89 Serum
Fast absorbing and lightweight, this best-selling face serum strengthens and repairs the skin barrier to reveal a luminous, healthy looking glow. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and volcanic water from France to hydrate and plump your skin.
Homeoplasmine
The French version of Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream, this multi-purpose ointment soothes, protects, and moisturizes the skin without the oily aftermath. Use it to calm dry, irritated skin or apply it as an overnight mask on your lips.
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
This rich moisturizing face cream is a French beauty favorite among makeup artists. Not only does it moisturize your skin with a blend of natural ingredients, but it acts a primer to set your makeup in place. Suitable for all skin types, it works as a face cream, makeup primer and even a face mask.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Sunscreen
This lightweight sunscreen is one of my favorites from La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios sunscreen line. It has a creamy texture that melts into the skin leaving a matte finish with no pilling or white cast. Plus, it provides broad spectrum SPF 60 protection, so you can rest assured that your skin is well protected against UVA and UVB rays.
Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Eye Gel Cream
This gel eye cream reduces dark circles and depuffs the under-eyes while plumping fine lines. Its lightweight, moisturizing formula makes it the perfect base for under-eye concealer. Did I mention that it’s also part of Selena Gomez’s skincare routine?
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
Instantly refresh and texturize your hair while creating volume with this plant-based dry shampoo. No chalky residue, just clean hair free of oil, dirt and odors. Klorane also makes a version for darker hair shades.
What are your French pharmacy essentials? Let me know in the comments below.
