6 French Beauty Products That Make Us Feel Like We’re In Paris

When it comes to shopping French skincare brands, it’s not just about fancy names and even fancier-sounding ingredient lists.

For those of us with overly sensitive skin, the French Pharmacy offers us a pretty hefty range of budget-friendly options to slot into our sensitive skincare routines. 

This is because French skincare is actually fairly simple, often dermatologically tested and tends to place an important emphasis on hydration and protecting your skin’s barrier. 

So, to help you navigate the world of French Pharmacy beauty buys, we’ve put together a list of our top French skincare picks to help you build your nighttime skincare routine, soothe sensitive skin, or even prevent and heal acne-scars.

Plus, we’ve even thrown in a few French skincare tips along the way to help you get all the benefits from these French skincare products. 

1. A French Pharmacy beauty staple - Avène Thermal Spring Water

Why we love it: The best-selling Avène Thermal Spring Water is a multipurpose mist that has become a French Pharmacy cult-classic. Thermal Spring Water calms and hydrates the skin to minimise irritation and inflammation for those with sensitive skin types. It’s Dermatologist tested and perfect for tackling redness and dehydration. Spritz this spray at any point in your skincare routine to soothe the skin, add a boost of moisture or help other products penetrate the skin. 

2. The most effective French skincare for oily skin - La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming Gel

Why we love it: Those with oily skin require a hard working cleanser that will help take the day off. Enter: the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming Gel. This affordable daily gel cleanser helps to treat the skin and minimise oil and breakouts. Zinc Pidolate helps to clarify the skin and fight against harmful bacteria, while Thermal Spring Water calms the skin and reduces further inflammation. With regular use oily skin should become more balanced, and less likely to promote breakouts.

3. The pinnacle of French beauty skincare - Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution

Why we love it: There’s nothing more French than cleansing your skin with the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution. This extremely popular and effortless micellar cleansing water helps to remove makeup and cleanse the complexion for clear and smooth skin. Without being stripping, this formula cleanses, tones and refreshes the skin. Perfect for all skin types, this product makes an effective first cleanse by attracting dirt, oil, makeup and buildup using it’s micellar technology. Apply to a cotton pad and gently wipe away heavy makeup to see the extent of this product's results.

4. Sensitive skin’s best friend - La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Serum 20ml

Why we love it: When it comes to redness and sensitivity, the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Serum 20ml might be one of the best French skincare products to have in your arsenal. This gentle serum works to hydrate and protect sensitive skin, working on soothing tightness and irritation. Enriched with 0.1% of Neurosensine, Glycerine and Hyaluronic acid, this hydrating formula will fit perfectly into your sensitive skincare routine and can be used day or night. 

5. A brilliant day cream with a unique combo of actives - Avène A-Oxitive Day Smoothing Water-Cream

Why we love it: The Avène A-Oxitive Day Smoothing Water-Cream is a super re-purchasable daily gel-cream moisturiser that we swear by for oily skin. This silky, lightweight cream contains gradual release Vitamins C & E, as well as Hyaluronic acid to help protect and plump up the skin. Your skin is left hydrated, smooth and even. Consistent use of this daily moisturiser improves skin’s brightness, firmness and overall radiance. We can’t rave about this one enough. 

6. Here’s the best of French acne skincare - Bioderma Sebium Oil Control Kit

Why we love it: The last on our list is actually a full blown oily skin care kit, designed to reduce sebum and help fight acne. The Bioderma Sebium Oil Control Kit comes with a full sized Bioderma Sebium H20 Micelle Solution, Bioderma Sebium Mat Control Moisturiser and mini Bioderma Sebium Purifying & Foaming Cleansing Gel. These are all formulas that help to target clogged pores and blemishes by managing sebum production and keeping the skin balanced, refreshed and hydrated. 

We hope this list of French skincare was helpful and makes you feel like you’re touring a super chic French Pharmacy while IRL travel is off the cards! 

Discover more from our fave French skincare brands in the guides below...

• This $56 Serum Was Made for Over-Sensitive Skin That Usually Hates Everything

• This Budget-Friendly Cleanser and Moisturiser Duo Healed My Breakouts in a Week

• Best La Roche-Posay Products for Acne Scars

• Night Time Sensitive Skin Care Routine Using La Roche Posay

• La Roche-Posay Sensitive Skincare Routine

Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.