The best French pharmacy products and where to find them
When we moved back home to California from Paris two years ago, one thing I missed immediately was the French pharmacy. French pharmacies are magical places where the pharmacists dispense medicine, give shots, recommend everything from cold cures to beauty products, and give plenty of thoughtful skincare advice. I brought my favorite French pharmacy products home with me. Eventually, they ran out, because these are products that I use to the last drop.
Fortunately, almost all of these French beauty products are available in the US. Below, you’ll find the French beauty brands I use every day, from the iconic, lightweight, delicious-smelling oil every Parisienne has in her cabinet to a “no-Botox” splurge that fills fine lines and wrinkles like a dream.
7 French Beauty Products for Beautiful Skin
1. Best All-Around Serum: Vichy Mineral 89 Serum
The bottle of Vichy Mineral 89 is a beautiful blue, and the product itself feels as if you’re putting the mineral waters of Vichy, France, on your skin…because you are! The number 89 comes from the fact that this serum contains 89% Vichy volcanic water. Because it contains hyaluronic acid, it plumps up your skin to minimize fine lines. I purchased my first Vichy product in the town of Vichy, where my husband and I traveled by train for a spa weekend while my son’s ninth grade class was off mountain climbing without proper gear (that’s how they do things in France).
Vichy is home to world-famous natural springs, and before its terrible run as the center of the collaborationist government during WW2, it was a playground for the creme of French society, including Napoleon. For centuries the town has been home to various mineral springs, all of which come together under a giant dome in the middle of town.
How to use it: I begin with Vichy 89 in the morning after cleansing and follow it with the Bioderma serum. I use Vichy during the day for plumping effects but rarely use it at night, because I don’t like to put anything between my skin and my resveratrol or retinol. I also have the Vichy 89 Hyaluronic Acid Eye Gel, although sometimes I just slather the regular Vichy 89 serum on my entire face, including under my eyes.
And, just to prove to you that I first got Vichy 89 at the source, here I am with big spa hair at the Vichy Celestins Spa Hotel back in early 2020.
Get Vichy Mineral 89 for about $29 at Amazon. Get the Vichy 89 set (including eyes and face) on Amazon.
2. Best Cleanser and Micellar Water: Bioderma Créaline H2O Solution Micellaire / also called Bioderma Sensible H20 / Bioderma Micellar Water
You might find American brands that call themselves micellar water, but don’t be fooled! I’ve tried those, and they tend to be oily, which is exactly the opposite of what micellar water should be. Bioderma micellar water is the gold standard, and it’s easy to find in the US and relatively inexpensive. By now, we all know that over-washing your face is counterproductive–especially in the morning, when you want to retain your skin’s moisture.
How to use Bioderma micellar water: You just soak a cotton pad (not a cotton ball) with the fragrance-free, oil-free solution and press it against your eyelids to remove eye makeup (although you won’t be wearing much eye make-up in France–more on that in another post). Swab it all over your face and neck to remove makeup and dirt. That’s the only cleanser you need.
I use Bioderma micellar water first thing in the morning, before my coffee, to make my skin feel fresh. I use it again after my shower to clean my skin before applying makeup. And I use it at night before applying my nighttime moisturizer. I repeat, this is the only skin cleanser you need! It removes makeup and oil without rubbing in the evening. It’s very light and helps your skin feel hydrated.
Tip: Be sure you get the bottle with the pink cap! The blue-cap version isn’t just water, it has an oily texture I find unappealing, and I never once saw the blue-cap version in France. It’s about $16 per bottle, and a bottle lasts me about three months, using it at three times a day.
Buy Bioderma Micellar water at Amazon.
3. Best Multi-Task Oil for Hair, Face, and Body AND Best-smelling French beauty brand: Nuxe dry oil / Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse
I had to toss my Moroccan Argan oil on the day we left California. I was delighted to discover Nuxe oil on my first trip to my neighborhood pharmacy in Paris. This light, delicious-smelling, inexpensive oil can be used on hair, skin, and cuticles. Reader, I will never go back to moroccan argon oil! Nuxe oil is a beauty miracle, a sweet-smelling multi-tasker that is a delight to the senses.
How to use Nuxe oil: I spray a few drops of Nuxe oil into my palms and blend it with my body lotion morning and night. The first time I used it, I went for a walk in the park later in the day and noticed a wonderful, light scent. I thought it was something in the park, but then I realized that the scent followed me out of the park and all the way home. That’s when I realized it was the Nuxe oil.
The air in California is extremely dry, so I rub a couple of drops into the ends of my hair after washing. If you want your friends to say, “You smell good!” when they lean in for a hug or cheek-kiss, this is the product for you! During the summer, I also keep a small bottle of Nuxe shimmer oil (Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Or) on my bathroom countertop. This imparts a light golden shimmer and is perfect to use as a light highlighter on your cheekbones, rubbed in with your moisturizer on your legs, or to add shine to your hair.
Tip: You can find tiny bottles of the Nuxe dry oil, but if you go through a full-sized (3.3 ounce) bottle in a few months like I do, you’ll be happy you got the bigger size. The larger bottle comes with a high-quality spray nozzle, which makes it easy to spritz the oil onto your legs or hair. This is a product I always use to the last drop.
Buy the 3.3 ounce Nuxe dry oil on Amazon (this will easily last a year or longer). Or buy the small bottle of Nuxe shimmer oil.
On my most recent trip in November of 2023, I also picked up Nuxe body lotion, which smells divine and feels luxurious on the skin.
4. Best Night Cream: Caudalie night infusion cream/ Resveratrol creme cache mire redensifiante
This is an overnight cream with resveratrol. It feels richer than most retinol creams and doesn’t irritate my skin the way retinol does. Antioxidant-rich resveratrol is considered an alternative to retinol. One thing it does that retinol doesn’t is protect your skin from sun damage.
When I woke up the next morning after trying this for the first time, my skin really did look different–glowy and rested. Because the cream is so rich, it feels especially nice in the wintertime or when your skin has been subjected to environmental stress.
Can you use both resveratrol and retinol?
Yes! You can use both resveratrol and retinol, just not at the same time. Retinol is a wonder at smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles with time, but it can irritate the skin. Because I’m a retinol super-fan, I alternate between The Caudalie Night Infusion Cream (resveratrol) and the Strivectin Retinol Night Oil, which is light but potent. Alternating between resveratrol and retinol gives my skin a break, and the Caudalie night cream just feels luxurious going on.
Caudalie also makes a brightening day cream that smells delicious and feels great on the skin.
Buy Caudalie night cream on Amazon
5. Best Ultra-Light Serum: Bioderma Serum / Bioderma Hydrabio – Sérum concentré hydratant
Prior to moving to Paris, I had been using Boots No. 7 serum for years. I discovered Boots serum on a trip to the UK. It goes on silky smooth and is very light, but the fragrance can be overpowering. When I arrived in Paris, I wanted an inexpensive new serum to get me by until I figured out what French beauty products work best for me. The pharmacist recommended Bioderma serum, and I’ve been using it ever since. It’s light, silky, and has no noticeable scent.
How to use Bioderma serum: I apply the serum immediately after cleansing with Bioderma micellar water. I often put a bit on over my makeup when I come home after a long day. Technically, serum should go under your makeup, of course, but I love adding a little moisture throughout the day, and this serum is light enough to apply at any time. When I’m traveling, I often take this serum as my only moisturizer to keep my toiletries kit simple.
A 1.3 ounce bottle is about $33 at the time of this writing. A bottle usually lasts me about two months.
Buy Bioderma Hydrabio Serum on Amazon.
6. Best French Splurge for Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Filorga Hydra-Filler Mat Day Cream, the no-botox filler that really works (luxury French beauty brand)
We had just emerged from the first Paris lockdown when I wandered up Rue de la Boetie to the big Monoprix tucked in an alley just behind Champs Elysses. I must have looked pretty stressed, or maybe the pharmacist was just happy to be talking to customers again, because she approached me, gestured to my face, declared that I looked “fatigue,” (sorry, I can’t find the accent mark), and motioned for me to follow her. Moments later, she thrust the jar of Filorga Hydra-Filler into my hands.
Unlike the other products here, Filorga doesn’t go on with a weightless feel. Instead, it feels incredibly rich. Made with three types of hyaluronic acid, it claims to be a kind of “moisturizing water bomb” for your skin. It works really well as a filler, tightening the pores, plumping the skin, and reducing fine lines. It’s a bit more expensive than other French pharmacy brands, but after weeks of hardly leaving the apartment, I was happy to splurge. I have lines under my left eye due to my sleeping position over the years, and Filorga makes the lines noticeably smaller when I apply it over my serum in the morning. Filorga also makes an anti-aging night cream that helps maximize the benefits of the day cream.
If you like the Filorga Hydra Filler, you might also want to try Filorga Optim Eyes eye cream. The pharmacist gave me a sample that day, but I didn’t buy it until more than a year later. I had so many products when we left Paris, including eye creams, it took me a while to use them all. Made with peptides and hesperidin, Filorga Optim Eyes targets circles, puffiness, and wrinkles. It makes the skin under my eyes appear less tired and minimizes dark circles.
Filorga is considered a luxury brand in France, though it’s still much less pricey than most American luxury brands. The products really do have powerful anti-aging effects and live up to their promise of working as a non-surgical “filler.” If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll get a lot of value with Bioderma and Caudalie. If want to treat yourself to a “no-botox” product that gets high marks for its filler capabilities, Filorga is for you.
Buy Filorga Hydra Filler Mat on Amazon.
7. Best Dry Shampoo: Klorane shampooing nutritive et reparateur / Kloarane Nourishing Shampoo
Before moving to Paris, I saw Klorane mentioned everywhere, so when I saw it on the shelf at my neighborhood French pharmacy, I decided to try it. Klorane shampoo comes in several different formulas for different hair types. Living on the Bay Area peninsula, surrounded on three sides by water, accustomed to the fog, I’d forgotten how hard dry air is on the hair. My favorite is the nourishing shampoo, which is super moisturizing, but Klorane also makes a brightening shampoo for blonde, silver, and gray hair and a strengthening strengthening shampoo.
Get Klorane Dry Shampoo on Amazon
Vogue editors and other American beauty magazines frequently recommend Klorane dry shampoo, so I thought I’d give it a try.
I didn’t bring a blow dryer to France with me because mine wouldn’t work with French outlets, and I lived there for six months before bothering to buy one. Anyway, in Paris, the preferred look for hair is always natural–nothing over-styled, sprayed, bleached, or obviously blown out. Since I didn’t want to wait for my hair to dry in the morning, I would wash it before bed and then spritz a little dry shampoo on the roots in the morning. This gives you a tousled, natural look (at least, that’s what I’m telling myself).
By the by, I remember when U.S. magazines used to talk about “French hair,” as if it French women obtained magically sexy hair by washing it only once or twice a week. That’s a myth. Parisian women don’t walk around with dirty hair! The look is undone, not unwashed. Klorane does the trick: it’s has a fresh, light scent and disappears instantly.
Price: Buy Klorane dry shampoo on Amazon.
November 2023 Update: 4 More French Pharmacy Products
I returned to Paris in November of 2023 and visited a few pharmacies to find all of my favorite products, plus some new ones. Here are my additional recommendations.
Best for Redness and Rosacea: Uriage Redness Relief Cream (Nov. 2023 update)
Uriage Roseliane Redness Relief Cream
A pharmacist recommended this to me when I lived in France, and I bought more on my trip to Paris in 2023. A light cream that you can layer over your serums and under your makeup, Uriage redness relief cream evens out skin tone. I have pale skin prone to redness, and this works beautifully. Like Vichy products, it contains thermal water.
Best for Dark Spots and Scars: Avene Cicalfate Restorative Cream
Avene Cicalfate Restorative Cream (pictured top right)
While I was at CityPharma in Paris in November of 2023, an American tourist asked me if I knew what she could use for dark spots. I recommended Avene Cicalfate. The pharmacist, who overheard us talking, seconded my recommendation. This cream has completely faded a few dark spots on my arms and cheeks that I had for years. However, I first purchased it to soften and fade a deep scar. The results were dramatic. My husband just started using it a week ago for a dark spot on his face. Avene Cicalfate has had dramatic results. If you have dark spots or scars, this stuff works!
Get Avene Cicalfate Restorative Cream
Best Brighening and Lightening Spray for Blonde Hair
I’m not blonde, but when I was in a pharmacy late one night looking for conditioner, I picked up up what I thought was a Klorane leave-in conditioner. Only once I got it home did I realize it was the Klorane Brightening spray intended to revive blonde hair! As it was all I had, I used it, and I loved how it subtly brightened my auburn hair.
Best Deodorant
Vichy deodorant: a light roll-on that works, even if you’re pounding the Paris pavement all day
So here’s a quick roundup of the best French beauty products to keep in your daily routine for soft, glowy, moisturized skin:
- Vichy Mineral 89 Serum
- Caudalie Night Cream
- Nuxe Oil
- Bioderma Micellar Water
- Klorane Dry Shampoo
- Bioderma Serum
- Filorga Hydra-Filler Cream
- Uriage Redness Relief Cream
- Avene Cicalfate Restorative Cream
What to Love About French Beauty Products
The EU has tighter regulations about what chemicals can go into cosmetics, so French beauty brands tend to be more environmentally friendly and are made with natural ingredients. They also have less fragrance, so you don’t walk out of your house in the morning smelling like you slept on a bed of bad potpourri. Like all things Parisian, French beauty brands have a light touch.
And a note on French makeup: keep it light with a soft lip!
The same could be said for makeup. If you go to Paris, leave your contouring brushes and false lashes behind! Just as stilettos scream “tourist” in Paris, so does overdone makeup.
Stick with a light tinted moisturizer, mascara, and perhaps a light dusting of neutral shadow. A red lip is classic at night, but during the day, I recommend a neutral, fresh lip. One of my favorite ways to achieve this is with the Elvis + Elvin lip serum (it has hyaluronic acid and is gently plumping). Of course, it all starts with good nighttime routines that lead to good skin. I put on LaNeige lip mask on at night before bed to make my lips feel soft and moisturized int he morning.
Why I recommend a trip to a French pharmacy
If you’re visiting Paris, I definitely recommend that you visit a French pharmacy. It’s an easy way to experience a slice of everyday French life and bring home wonderful French beauty products that you’ll actually use. Consumables make the best souvenirs. And don’t be shy! Talk to the pharmacist; she’ll be happy to help, even if there’s a language barrier. She doesn’t need to speak English to take one look at your skin, diagnose your issues, and point out the best products.
If you want a deeper conversation about skin care and you don’t speak French, visit the pharmacy section of the big Monoprix just off Champs Elysses. The pharmacists there speak English and will not only point you to the right products, but may even load you up with free samples!
Watch my video about French beauty products.
This post contains affiliate links. I have purchased and used (repeatedly) every product linked to here. I earn a small commission when you buy a product through these links, but I do not receive free products or other compensation from the brands.
