As someone who travels often to France for my travel atelier En Route to Rêverie, I have spent a lot of time shopping in French pharmacies.

There are so many good French skincare brands and I am always stocking up on my favorites and testing new ones that sound interesting to me.

Nowadays a lot of these products are widely available in the U.S. so even if you don’t have a trip to France on the books anytime soon, you can still get the best French pharmacy skincare to use in your routine at home.

Best French Pharmacy Skincare

The French boast a lot of cult favorites you’ve likely heard of. And I have personally tested a lot of the most buzzed about ones. The best of the best are included in this post to help you navigate those available to try. French skincare is popular around the world and for good reason.

Why Is French Skincare So Good

As a self proclaimed Francophile (I think I was born French in another life), I have been infusing French culture and French products into my daily life for decades. One of the categories I have been most drawn to is French beauty and French skincare in particular. Formulations in the E.U are often more highly regulated so they feature feel-good formulas and they come from very science-backed French skincare brands.

France is considered the birthplace of dermatology and French beauty products have always prioritized using botanical ingredients – long before it became popular or trendy to do so.

The French are low maintenance when it comes to makeup, but they absolutely believe in using a regimented, albeit, often low maintenance but effective skincare routine. They purchase most of their skincare routines at the French pharmacies and many of the most popular French skincare products are from French pharmacy brands.

I have tried so many of the best French skincare brands in my years spent traveling to France and use many of them in my day to day routine. Today I am sharing those French beauty products and French pharmacy products to be the best.

35 Best French Pharmacy Skincare Products

1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen Gentle Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50

France does pretty good mineral sunscreens and this one by La Roche-Posay is a favorite one of mine. It has titanium dioxide and zinc so it offers great protection and I love that it absorbs quickly and isn’t overly greasy. 

3. Avene Thermal Spring Water

This spray soothes and softens skin and is amazing for those with sensitive skin. It’ll provide antioxidant protection and overall I just find it so comforting to apply.

I always have the minis on hand in my purse in the summer as it is a life saver when waiting for the subway on a hot day!

4. Bioderma – Sensibio – H2O Micellar Water

Sensibio H2O is the best selling cleansing and makeup removing micellar water that first made micellar waters popular as makeup removers. It removes impurities and makeup super gently. It’s in so many bathrooms around France and I prefer it to the U.S. brands that sell something similar.

5. Caudalie Detox Mask

This mask has gone viral many a time on social media for good reason. It clears out pores in ten minutes and doesn’t skin feeling overly dry or stripped. Great if you experience congested pores or breakout prone skin. Here’s the best way to use it.

Caudalie Beauty is a favorite French brand of mine and while I included a few of their products in today’s post, there are plenty more to love – especially depending on your skin type. Read my whole Caudalie Skincare Review.

6. Clarins V-Facial Instant Depuffing Mask

This mask is so great. It de-puffs in such a satisfying way I found myself reaching for it weekly! 

7. Clarins Cryo-Flash Instant Lift Effect & Glow Boosting Face Mask

I love, love, love the tightening effect of this mask. It is great when you are feeling puffy all around and before a big event.

If you’re shopping for more favorites from the beloved and famed Clarins brand, consider the Clarins Double Serum Light Texture Firming & Smoothing Anti-Aging Concentrate that has been a bestseller for the brand for over a decade and the Lip Oil is also a fan favorite.

8. Caudalie Vinopure Toner

My go-to toner to rid my face of breakouts.

9. Caudalie Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimizing Serum

11. Caudalie Beauty Elixir

15. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

This nourishing face cream protects against free radicals and will leave your skin feeling calm, soft, smooth & comfortable. French makeup artists swear by this cream and always have it on their kits. Its also loved by many a celebrity and I love that it works so seamlessly under makeup.

I buy it in the mini size as it is great for travel since it is part moisturizer, part makeup primer.

16. Caudalie Vinotherapist Hand Cream

I really like this nourishing hand cream that repairs any dryness without a greasy finish. It is enriched with an avocado oil and olive oil lipidic duo designed to relieve skin discomfort and prevent dehydration.

17. Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum 

This oil free serum has a cult favorite following for good reason. It’s highly concentrated to get to work fast. It’ll combat any dark spots that are bothering you, even your skin tone and boost your overall radiance.

 

I’ve gone through more bottles of this than I can count. It’s the first that always hits my skin every morning post cleansing. There’s a reason they have sold millions of  bottles (one sells every 30 seconds!) and it has name recognition. It is truly a magical serum.

18. Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Instant Firming Serum

If you’re over the age of 30 do not miss this serum! It does an amazing job of firming skin that is aging and therefore losing collagen and firmness. It’s oil-free and after a few weeks of use I noticed my skin was visibly more firm and lifted. Better yet?

It features Caudalie’s exclusive patented alternative to retinol – one of the best anti-aging ingredients around. The brand says it is 3x more effective than retinol for firming and lifting the appearance of the skin. It is potent yet gentle. They liken it to their botox in a bottle sort of solution. 

19. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5

Skin in need of major TLC? Reach for this balm. It’s like a fancy aquaphor for your face but more wearable. It’ll repair your skin barrier and help it recover from any irritation.

I buy this skincare product every time I am at Citypharma in Paris. 

20. Caudalie VinoHydra Deep Moisture Cream

This night cream is the best for dry, dehydrated skin. You’ll notice an improvement in your dry skin in just one use. I add it back into my routine every November/December as the air gets colder and dryer and indoor heating kicks in.

 

I’ve never found another cream to rival the hydration this one gives (even La Mer didn’t do as good of a job!) I have found that a little goes a long way and this cream will absorb best when you let your other skincare soak in first.

21. Darphin Intral Inner Youth Rescue Serum

This is such a good serum if you suffer from any redness. 

22. Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Essence 

This essence made a big difference in my skin when I began using it every morning. I apply it after my Caudalie serum and before my moisturizer of the day. It uses glycolic acid to gently remove dead skin and grape water to hydrate. My skin became brighter, smoother and my skin tone appeared more even.

Be sure to press this product into the skin as you apply it.

23. Embryolisse Active Night Peeling

This peel is designed to give you a “new skin effect” thanks to its exfoliating fruit acid extracted from caviar lemon. Skin will be super soft following use as this formula features nourishing macadamia and argan oils, shea butter and beeswax. Put it on and let it sit over night to wake up with baby soft skin.

24. A313

This Vitamin A cream is beloved by French women for its ability to serve as a retinol for plumping fine lines and makes skin look fresh. 

This product is going to be found behind the cashier’s counter though so be sure to ask for it as you check out.

I didn’t love it as I found it quite sticky but it is worth trying if you’re curious! I know others who love it and swear by it.

25. NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil

The OG oil I ever bought & loved. You can use this all over your body, on your hair, on your cuticles – really anywhere you’d like some healthy looking shine. I love that there’s no shimmer to this oil and how quickly it absorbs. French women love to add a few drops to their body lotion as well.

26. Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash 

Glycolic acid in this body wash helps to gently exfoliate the skin to make it smoother and softer. Great if you experience KP, breakouts or rough skin. It is oil free and fragrance free as well which I love.

27. Caudalie Premier Cru Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream

This luxurious, fragrance-free, firming and visibly brightening eye cream is powered by pearl brightening components, Viniferine and a formula that was designed to target the 8 signs of aging for younger-looking skin. I love the metal tip applicator for help de-puffing.

28. Vichy Double Glow Peel Mask

This mask is so good for an instant glow. Use it before you have a special event or before applying makeup for an added glow factor. Formulated with volcanic rocks and alpha hydroxy fruit acids, it brightens the skin and reveals a more refined texture by very gently peeling off dead skin cells. And you can’t beat the $20 price tag!

29. Filorga Time-Filler Super Smoothing Face Mask

I always stock up on these sheet masks in Paris at the French pharmacy. Skin looks smoother and more hydrated after wearing one.

30. Nuxe Rose Micellar Water

This is so gentle and smells amazing. I always have it in my rotation.

31. Caudalie Resveratrol Retinol Alternative Firming Cashmere Cream

For aging skin that is feeling less firm, reach for this cream. I love how nourishing it feels and it absolutely works over time to help firm skin and diminish signs of aging. My skin instantly feels more taught after I apply this in the morning and I definitely find it helps with fine lines and wrinkles.

There is also a Night Cream version of the Cashmere Cream I like. 

32. Glytone Rejuvenating Mini Peel Gel

This gentle yet effective glycolic peel gel works in a few minutes to resurface lackluster skin.

33. Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Night Cream

If you need extra TLC for dark spots, reach for this rich night cream. Glycolic acid smooths and you’ll awake with brighter skin. This is a thick formula so a little goes a long way. This is my night cream of choice often whenever I feel like my skin needs a bit of love.

34. Glytone Ultra Softening Heel & Elbow Cream 

This works magic on rough, dry skin that may plague you on your heels and elbows. I like to saturate my feet in the cream and then slip on socks to wake up to softer, healthier looking feet. A must-have during sandal season!

35. Typology Micellar Water

Typology is a newer French skincare brand that is all about customized solutions. Before ordering online they will have you take a quiz about your skin so they can provide the right regimen. The line is naturally active, sustainable, vegan, and made in France.

. . .

Do you have a favorite French skincare product? I’d love to hear what it is!

Heading to France Book with En Route to Rêverie and get customized recommendations based on your travel preferences to make your next trip the best one yet.

You May Also Like:

• The Best French Beauty Products.
• The Best Chanel Makeup Products.
• How to Pack Makeup for Travel.

This post contains affiliate links. Should you purchase something from an affiliate link, I may earn commission, at no cost to you. Thank you for your support of my work!