Our Picks for French Pharmacy Skincare Brands

The stereotype of French effortless beauty doesn’t seem to ever go away, does it? Perfect skin, blurred lipstick and artfully undone-hair – it’s no surprise that the idea of rolling out of bed and instantly looking chic has such universal appeal.

While the reality is that most people, wherever they are in the world, have to put a fair amount of effort in to look that good, the classic French beauty aesthetic is traditionally more relaxed, with a bigger focus on having a great skincare routine, and caring for your skin, than wearing lots of makeup.

These are four of the biggest French brands you need to know about – especially for more sensitive skin types that need a little extra care.

La Roche-Posay

Water-based skincare is a big deal in France, with three of these brands having been inspired by the healing properties of mineral water. La Roche-Posay is the first of these; the brand was built on thermal spring waters with antioxidant properties thanks to the high Selenium content naturally present in the water. The brand still sells this water in the form of a spray and it features as an ingredient in most of its product ranges, but the product offering has massively expanded since it began in 1975.

The Toleraine range is the go-to solution for many people with sensitive skin, as it’s specially designed to soothe irritated or sensitive skin. Try the Toleraine Ultra Cream for a moisturiser that won’t irritate allergy-prone skin.

Ever struggled to find an SPF that actually sits well under makeup? The Anthelios range has various formulae and strengths, but for a sun cream with wide spectrum protection and comfortable feel, the Ultra-light Invisible Fluid in SPF50+ is a great go-to to keep your skin protected from everyday rays.

Avène 

Avène is the second brand to have sprung up from the discovery of the skincare benefits from thermal water. The tale is that in 1736, a horse suffering from pruritus swam in the Orb river and was cured – and anti-irritation skin-soothing ingredients remain at the centre of their products to this day. If you fancy a dip, they do have a hydrotherapy centre in France where you can immerse yourself in their healing water, but if you don’t fancy making the trip, it’s also available as a facial spray.

Skin a little sensitive? Meet the Tolérance Extreme Lotion, a cleanser designed to provide gentle daily cleansing to soothe hypersensitive and allergic skin.

If your skin tends to be a little more oily, then the Cleanance range is the one for you. The range also includes moisturisers, cleansers and an SPF – which means you can put together a whole routine designed to tackle your biggest skincare concern, without needing to worry about aggravating your skin.

Vichy

Another brand built on the wonders of water – except this time, the water’s volcanic. Rich in fifteen minerals, Vichy’s water is from a protected area that’s been preserved from pollution since 1874, and the thermal water can apparently reinforce the skin’s natural barrier.

If your skin is dry, then Vichy’s bestselling Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster, is the one for you. 89% of the ingredients is Vichy volcanic water, and beloved by many, it’s a serious shot of hydration that helps skin look and feel healthier.

Nuxe

Established in Paris in 1990, this brand relies heavily on the natural world for its products and inspiration. The big seller for Nuxe is its multi-purpose oil, Huile Prodigieuse, which, in true French laid-back style, can be used on the face, body or hair to increase hydration, reduce the appearance of stretch marks and protect against pollution. Oh, and it also smells amazing.

The Rêve de Miel range is designed for all skin types and is a great all-rounder, with honey a key ingredient for soothing unhappy or irritated skin. The big winner is the lip balm, which you’ll find on French bedside tables to keep lips perfectly prepped for a signature red lip, no matter the season. 

The best bit?

Every one of these products cost less than £30. Most are in the £10-20 range, meaning you can get that iconic glowing complexion without breaking the bank.