The French pharmacy is where scores of holy grail skincare products earn their cult status through decades of customer approval and leading derma-cosmetic research. Now more widely available across the world, French pharmacy brands have remained skincare frontrunners with elegantly-formulated, science-driven products that work without the fancy packaging and high price tags of most luxury counterparts. As the leading country for cosmetics and beauty products, France is rich with the bounty of nature and a deep understanding of respecting the natural balance and composition of skin. Here, you’ll find clean ingredients, pure botanicals and cutting edge technology that work to give you that ever-so-desirable “je ne sais quoi” glow that the French are so famous for.

Avène Eau Thermale

Ideal for even the most sensitive of skin types, Avène’s dermatological skincare is formulated with clinically-proven soothing thermal spring water that filters through the Cevennes Mountains for over 40 years before bubbling up as pure water at the Sainte-Odile spring. Its breakthrough Tolérance Extrême range is formulated with a minimum number of pure ingredients and packaged in totally sterile tubes, allowing the product to stay stable without the use of preservatives.

Bioderma

Often imitated but never duplicated, Bioderma’s Sensibio H20 is the worldwide standard for micellar cleansing water, with one product sold every three seconds globally. The gentle formula works on all skin types to effortlessly dissolve even the most stubborn makeup and grime, while helping to rebuild the skin’s hydrolipidic film in order to maintain suppleness and moisture. You’ll find the classic pink-capped bottles everywhere from backstage makeup kits to the most minimal travel beauty bags, but other formulations such as the Hydrabio and Sebium are also available to target dehydrated and oily skin types, respectively.

Embryolisse

Embryolisse’s cult Lait-Creme Concentre was created in 1950 by a Parisian hospital dermatologist who specialised in skin pathologies. Today, the formula has been improved with new research regarding skin surface physiology and bacteriology, resulting in a 3-in-1 hydrating lotion enriched with essential fatty acids and vitamins that help restore the skin’s imbalances. The original formula is a makeup artist favourite for its ability to deeply hydrate, plump and soothe skin while being lightweight in texture and leaving a velvet finish that grips makeup like a primer. An excellent multi-tasker that can be used on the face or body, as a makeup remover, an after-sun or after-shave cream.

Nuxe

Aliza Jabés founded Nuxe with the idea to tap into the Parisienne philosophy of beauty: no superfluous skincare routines, just a few essential products that combine nature with luxury. The result? A handful of award-winning, simple yet sophisticated products that work beautifully and smell delectable. We’ve named their honey lip balm as one of the best on the market for its velvety texture and pillowy matte finish, and their Huile Prodigieuse oil is an award-winning dry oil for body, face and hair that imparts an effortless glow.