Editor’s Picks: 18 of the Best French Pharmacy Skincare Products That You Can Now Find Online

Forget climbing the Eiffel Tower, strolling along the Seine or visiting the Louvre. When a skincare junkie goes to Paris, the highlight is the French pharmacy—where you can stock up on an impossible array of cult-favourite products that are hard to find anywhere else.

Or at least they used to be hard to find. Now, you don’t actually need a plane ticket to discover the best of French pharmacy skincare. You just need to know where to look online—and that’s where I can help!

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In this guide, you will learn which French pharmacy skincare products are the most coveted, what makes them so special, and where you can buy them (from the comfort of your own couch). 

The French Pharmacy Skincare Edit

The Best French Pharmacy Skincare of 2022

Bioderma Sensibio H2O

• What it does: Bioderma Sensibio H2O is an ultra-gentle micellar cleansing water that effortlessly removes dirt, makeup and debris. Just soak a cotton pad with the solution, and then swipe it over your skin. (For heavy or long-wear eye makeup, let it sit for a few seconds.) No rinsing is required. 
• Best for: All skin, especially sensitive skin.
• Key ingredients: PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, sugar molecules, cucumber extract.
• Editor’s notes: This famous formula has long been a favourite of makeup artists working backstage at fashion shows. It removes even waterproof makeup with no need for rubbing, and without irritating sensitive skin or eyes. Not only can you use it as a makeup remover or as the first step in a double-cleansing routine, it can even serve as your main cleanser. No wonder one bottle is sold every three seconds worldwide!

A313 Vitamin A Pommade

• What it does: A313 Vitamin A Pommade (also known as A313 Cosmetic Cream with Retinyl Palmitate) is a potent vitamin A ointment that helps with acne, hyperpigmentation and the signs of aging. Like all retinoids, you’re meant to apply it at nighttime only, either alone or mixed with your favourite moisturizer.
• Best for: Experienced retinol users.
• Key ingredients: Retinyl palmitate, polyethylene glycol. 
• Editor’s notes: It’s no secret that I love A313, which has been a staple in my skincare routines for several years. Of all the retinoids I’ve tried, it is the strongest over-the-counter treatment—nothing else compares! For that reason, I recommend starting slowly to give your skin time to adjust; despite its Vaseline-like texture, it will likely make your skin feel drier initially. For more on this product (and my answers to all your questions about it), see my in-depth review here. 

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

• What it does: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is a lightweight but nourishing moisturizer that hydrates and smooths the skin. It can be applied to clean skin morning and night, or as needed. You can also use it as a makeup primer, makeup remover, face mask or shaving cream. 
• Best for: Normal to dry and sensitive skin.
• Key ingredients: Mineral oil, stearic acid, palmitic acid, beeswax, shea butter. 
• Editor’s notes: For decades, makeup artists have loved this cream because it not only moisturizes dry skin without causing irritation, it also creates a flawless, smooth base for makeup. The magic is in the non-greasy, protective veil that it creates on the skin, which locks in moisture and helps makeup to last longer. While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for daily use (mineral oil is super-occlusive), it’s perfect to prep your skin when you’re getting dolled up. For a lighter alternative, try the brand’s new Hydra-Sérum.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

• What it does: Caudalie Beauty Elixir is an all-natural face mist that tones and refreshes the skin, boosts radiance, and sets makeup. It can be used morning and night or throughout the day as needed, either under or over other skincare products and makeup.
• Best for: All skin except sensitive.
• Key ingredients: Alcohol, orange flower water, rosemary oil, peppermint oil, myrrh extract, lemon balm oil, orange oil, rose oil, grape extract, vitamin E.
• Editor’s notes: This iconic face mist has been around for 25 years, and is still the brand’s bestselling product to this day. It was inspired by a 17th-century “elixir of youth” recipe used by the Queen of Hungary, whose glowing complexion attracted a much-younger suitor. Although it may not erase wrinkles, it can definitely perk up your complexion while the essential oils deliver calming aromatherapy. 

Avène Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water

• What it does: Avène Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water is a mineral-rich face mist that softens, soothes and lightly hydrates your skin. It can be used morning and night, or as often as necessary, whether on bare skin or over skincare or makeup. The brand recommends leaving it on your skin for two to three minutes, and then gently patting dry. 
• Best for: All skin, especially sensitive skin.
• Key ingredient: Thermal spring water.
• Editor’s notes: Thermal water mists are ubiquitous in France, and Avène’s is perhaps the most famous. (Vichy, La Roche-Posay, Evian and Uriage all have their own versions, too.) Since the water comes from hot thermal springs, it is much higher in trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium and silica. These have an anti-inflammatory effect, helping to reduce redness and restore a healthy skin barrier. I keep mine in the fridge in the summertime, and spritz it on whenever I need to cool down!

Boiron Homéoplasmine

• What it does: Boiron Homéoplasmine is a soothing homeopathic ointment that helps to relieve chapped and irritated skin and facilitate healing. It can be applied in a thin layer to problem areas, up to three times per day. 
• Best for: All skin.
• Key ingredients: Petrolatum, calendula, pokeweed, bryonia, benzoin.
• Editor’s notes: This all-purpose balm is like the French version of Lansinoh. Although it was initially created as a nipple cream for nursing mothers, it has garnered a cult following for its ability to quickly heal chapped lips, ragged cuticles and dry, rough patches of skin. It’s long-lasting, and unlike most products of its kind, goes on matte—so you can layer it under lipstick without changing the finish.

Biafine Emulsion Pour Application Cutanée

• What it does: Biafine Emulsion Pour Application Cutanée is an oil-in-water cream that helps to speed the healing of sunburns and minor superficial skin wounds (like cuts, scrapes and burns). You can also use it after getting laser treatments or tattoos. In general, it can be applied to clean skin up to three times daily, but check with your healthcare professional when treating any skin wound.
• Best for: All skin.
• Key ingredients: Stearic acid, mineral oil, squalane, propylene glycol, avocado oil, trolamine.
• Editor’s notes: According to brand legend, Biafine was created in 1971 by a French chemist whose daughter had burned herself with an iron and needed an emergency emulsion. It proved so effective that it soon became a staple in every French household, and some people even use it as a moisturizer. Research has found that the active ingredient, trolamine, recruits white blood cells (macrophages), which play an important role in the skin’s wound-healing process.^[1]

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF 50+

• What it does: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF 50+ is a lightweight, broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion for the face. It’s meant to be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure, and is water-, sweat- and sand-resistant.
• Best for: All skin.
• Key ingredients: Octyl salicylate, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb S, avobenzone, Mexoryl XL, Mexoryl SX.
• Editor’s notes: This award-winning sunscreen is French women’s go-to, because it is highly protective yet cosmetically elegant (and infused with the brand’s soothing thermal water). What’s different compared to North American sunscreens are the active ingredients like Uvinul and Tinosorb, which offer better efficacy and photostability than most of the filters available here. While it does contain the less desirable avobenzone (which is linked to hormone disruption), it’s certainly a better choice than the majority of “chemical” sunscreens. For a 100% mineral option, I recommend the brand’s Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen Gentle Lotion SPF 50.

Cattier Ready for Use Green Clay

• What it does: Cattier Ready for Use Green Clay is a creamy clay mask that absorbs excess oil, removes impurities and softens the skin. It can be used on the face or body as a 10-minute mask. You can also apply it to the scalp as a pre-shampooing treatment.
• Best for: Normal to oily and acne-prone skin.
• Key ingredients: Kaolin clay, illite clay, montmorillonite clay, propanediol.
• Editor’s notes: Most face masks have long lists of questionable (and potentially irritating) ingredients, but not this one. It’s a ready-to-use blend of three types of clay—all sourced from France—that get the job done in mere minutes. The only thing to keep in mind, since it doesn’t come with instructions, is that you shouldn’t let the mask dry out; mist your skin with one of the thermal waters (like Avène) to keep it moist. 

Filorga Time-Filler Eyes Absolute Eye Correction Cream

• What it does: Filorga Time-Filler Eyes Absolute Eye Correction Cream is an anti-aging eye cream that reduces wrinkles and dark circles, combats sagging upper eyelids, and enhances eyelash volume. It can be used morning and night, all the way around the eyes and at the roots of the eyelashes.
• Best for: All skin.
• Key ingredients: Propanediol, glycerin, imperata cylindrica root extract, gluconolactone, squalane, hyaluronic acid, peptides, amino acids.
• Editor’s notes: This eye cream comes from the number one anti-aging brand at French pharmacies, and was reportedly the most-Googled beauty product of 2018.^[2] It’s been compared to “Botox in a jar,” thanks to its long list of ingredients to fight wrinkles and sagging. But what truly makes it unique is its ability to also fade dark circles and support the growth of healthy eyelashes—it truly does it all.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum

• What it does: Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum is a creamy brightening serum that targets dark spots, evens out skin tone and boosts overall glow. It can be used morning and night, underneath moisturizer or sunscreen.
• Best for: All skin.
• Key ingredients: Butylene glycol, glycerin, coco-caprylate, squalane, grapevine shoot extract.
• Editor’s notes: According to the brand, this is the number one bestselling serum at French pharmacies—and for good reason. Even though it’s ultra-gentle, it works over time on all types of dark spots (whether from the sun, post-acne marks, melasma or general aging) without causing irritation. It was recently reformulated and is now 98% natural and non-photosensitizing, with less than 1% synthetic fragrance.

Nuxe Huile Prodiguieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil

• What it does: Nuxe Huile Prodiguieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil is a multi-purpose dry oil for the face, body and hair. It can be used once a day, either alone or mixed with your favourite moisturizer. On hair, use it as needed for the lengths and ends, or up to twice per week as a 10-minute pre-shampoo treatment.
• Best for: Normal to dry skin.
• Key ingredients: Coco-caprylate, macadamia oil, dicaprylyl ether, capric triglycerides, sweet almond oil, hazelnut oil, camellia oil, vitamin E.
• Editor’s notes: Since 1991, this multitasking oil has been beloved for its fast-absorbing texture and subtly summery scent. It’s comprised of 98.1% natural ingredients—including seven different plant oils—but surprisingly, leaves no greasy residue on your skin. In the summer, try Huile Prodiguise Or, a gold-flecked shimmery version to enhance bare skin.

Ialuset Crème

• What it does: Ialuset Crème is a hyaluronic acid-based cream that hydrates and supports the healing of minor skin lesions. Generally, it can be applied to clean skin once daily, however, you should seek medical advice before treating any open skin wound. 
• Best for: Normal to dry skin.
• Key ingredients: 0.2% hyaluronic acid, fatty alcohol, sulfates, glycerin.
• Editor’s notes: This thick, milky cream packs a generous dose of hyaluronic acid, a humectant that binds moisture and helps maintain the ideal environment for tissue regeneration. French women love it for its plumping effect—it’s been called an alternative to injectable fillers—as well as its ability to rescue dehydrated skin. Since it’s quite strong (and the sulfates could be irritating), I recommend using it as a weekly overnight face mask, not a daily moisturizer.

Vichy Minéral 89

• What it does: Vichy Minéral 89 is a hyaluronic acid-based hydrating serum that hydrates and plumps the skin while helping to strengthen its barrier. You’re meant to use two drops on bare skin after cleansing, morning and night. 
• Best for: All skin.
• Key ingredients: Glycerin, butylene glycol, hyaluronic acid.
• Editor’s notes: This lightweight serum may be one of the newer additions to the French pharmacy lineup (it launched in 2017), but it has quickly become a bestseller. It has just 11 ingredients in total, including hyaluronic acid and 89% mineral-rich volcanic water. Bonus: it’s also free of fragrance, oils, alcohol and silicone.

Payot Pâte Grise L’Originale

• What it does: Payot Pâte Grise L’Originale is an acne spot treatment that helps to bring minor blemishes to maturation overnight. It can be applied nightly, in a thick layer on target areas only. To maximize the effects (and to protect your sheets), apply a small amount of tape or a hydrocolloid patch on top. 
• Best for: Acne-prone skin.
• Key ingredients: Polyglycerides, zinc oxide, sweet almond oil, ichthammol, sodium shale oil sulfonate.
• Editor’s notes: This French skin secret dates all the way back to 1920, when it was developed by Dr. Nadia Payot, one of the first female doctors of her generation. Unlike most spot treatments, which are designed to dry pimples out, this one speeds up their maturation process—so that they’ll disappear sooner. The unique combination of zinc and shale is what draws out sebum, while ichthammol kills germs and reduces inflammation, and almond oil soothes irritation.

La Roche-Posay Serozinc Zinc Sulfate Solution

• What it does: La Roche-Posay Serozinc Zinc Sulfate Solution is a mattifying face mist that helps to reduce the look of shine. It can be used on bare skin after cleansing, morning and night, or as a makeup setting spray as needed.
• Best for: Oily, acne-prone and sensitive skin.
• Key ingredients: Water, salt, zinc sulfate.
• Editor’s notes: This under-the-radar mist is like having oil-blotting sheets in a can—minus the powdery residue. Its three simple ingredients work in tandem to absorb excess oil, mattify shine, calm irritation and take down redness (while also refreshing your skin). Some users have even noticed that it helps to prevent breakouts.

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Honey Lip Balm

• What it does: Nuxe Rêve de Miel Honey Lip Balm is a nourishing lip balm that soothes, hydrates and repairs dry lips. It can be used as needed, morning and night.
• Best for: All skin.
• Key ingredients: Beeswax, shea butter, vegetable oil, lethicin, dimethicone, sweet almond oil, honey.
• Editor’s notes: If you hate goopy, shiny lip balms, then you need to try this one (a French favourite since 1994!). Not only is it comprised of mostly natural ingredients, including beewax and honey, it has a soft matte finish that never feels sticky. It’s also thicker and longer-lasting than most balms, making it an excellent choice for protecting your lips in cold weather.

Hei Poa Pure Tahiti Monoï Oil

• What it does: Hei Poa Pure Tahiti Monoï Oil is a moisturizing body oil with a light tropical scent. For best results and maximum penetration, you should massage it into damp skin after bathing or showering. It can also be used to help repair dry and damaged hair. 
• Best for: All skin.
• Key ingredients: Coconut oil, gardenia extract, vitamin E.
• Editor’s notes: Hei Poa was born after the founders travelled to French Polynesia in the 1970s and discovered monoï oil, which is created by infusing gardenia petals in pure coconut oil. Thanks to its exotic scent and moisturizing properties, it’s been a summer staple ever since. (I even wear it instead of perfume!) Just be aware that coconut oil solidifies at cooler temperatures, so you may need run the bottle under hot water to liquify it.

Further Reading

1. ^{Del Rosso, James Q. & Bikowski, Joseph. Trolamine-containing topical emulsion: clinical applications in dermatology. Cutis. 2008 Mar; 81(3): 209-14.}
2. ^{Bovingdon, Maisie. (2018, December 19). Is this the world's best eye cream? £47 formula claims to mimic the effect of Botox in a jar - and it's the most Googled beauty product of 2018. Daily Mail.}

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