I’m an admitted Francophile. Albeit, one who butchers the language. I do however, count myself rather well versed in the language of French beauty and fashion. Whenever I visit France, particularly Paris, I always make a point to peruse the local pharmacies. Maybe it’s that they are French or maybe it’s the wide range of premium beauty products that are available in them, but French pharmacies have the most incredible selection of quality beauty products at a range of price points. While we might not be able to travel to France at the moment, I’ve rounded up some of my French pharmacy beauty favourites that you can shop directly via the links in this post and in the shopping widget below.
An absolute staple of my French Pharmacy Beauty Favourites list, is the thermal water spray beloved by many a beauty junky, makeup artist, jet-setter, and French beauty aficionado. For 30 years, Avène has been bottling thermal water in a sterile manner to preserve its healing capabilities. Perfect for calming sensitive or irritated skin, it can be used to sooth redness, following surgical procedures, to sooth sunburned skin, following makeup removal, shaving, exercise, and hair removal, and while traveling as a refreshing spray. I love reaching for my travel size spray during a flight as a way to nourish my skin and combat the dryness that comes with recirculated air, it’s also the perfect pick-me-up on touch down. During the winter, I find myself also reaching for my bottle of Eau Thermale Avène as a way to sooth my skin when it becomes reactive due to the cold weather and heating.
BIODERMA Sensibio H2O Sensitive Skin Micellar Water
Hands down, this is my absolute favourite makeup remover. It somehow manages to get off even the most stubborn eye makeup (I’m looking at you waterproof mascara) while still being totally gentle. It’s hypoallergenic, fragrance free, paraban free and suitable for all skin types. I also love that it doesn’t leave a residue or oily feeling on my skin but rather leaves it feeling soft and nourished.
I’ve written about my love of FILORGA previously, you can check out my full article about their NCTF line {here}. Founded in the 1970s by a leading French aesthetic doctor, FILORGA is known as a leader in the industry in terms of innovation and efficacy. Rooted in science and aesthetic medicine, the line is partially wonderful if you’re looking to address anti-aging concerns. Being that FILORGA is a French line and French beauty has a tendency of being unfussy and uncomplicated, this is also great line for those looking for a streamlined skincare regime that is highly effective.
MARVIS Jasmin Mint Toothpaste and Concentrée Eau De Bouche
While MARVIS might be an Italian line, I first discovered it in a French pharmacy. Leave it to a European company to elevate an item as basic and everyday as toothpaste and mouthwash. I’ll admit, it was the absolutely gorgeous branding and packaging that first piqued my interest in MARVIS. However, after actually using the products I learned that they’re a brand that encompasses substance and style. The line features inventive flavours and is made in Italy using traditional methods. It’s also paraben free, gluten free, cruelty free, and vegan while not compromising on quality.
You might think spending over $100 on a hair brush insane. I did. That was before I actually tried an iconic Mason Pearson brush. Revered by hairstylists and beloved by beauty junkies, these brushes are truly worth the investment. An English family-owned business that has been in continuous operation for almost 150 years, Mason Pearson has perfected the art of the hairbrush. While they are absolutely an investment, they are meant to last. The famous orange pad fills with air through a small hole in the tip of the brush, giving the hairbrush a luxurious soft cushion. The high quality boar bristle ensures beautiful results and longevity of use. While not a French brand, it’s still one of my top French pharmacy beauty favourites and can be found in many a French pharmacy.
KLORANE Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
I can not picture a world without dry shampoo and thanks to KLORANE, I never have to. Created by a French pharmacist, KLORANE dry shampoo consistently tops the list of French pharmacy beauty favourites and for good reason. It was the first dry shampoo on the market and is still one of the most popular options. Utilizing plant-based ingredients, this dry shampoo is gentle on their hair and scalp and also gentle on the environment. This is my key product for extending the life of my blowouts and for generally keeping my hair smooth and healthy in-between washes.
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