It’s no secret that Parisians turn to French pharmacy brands for their everyday skincare concerns. France has an established reputation as a country with some of the best scientific research labs and several companies have produced amazing beauty products.
Owning at least a few products from each of these French pharmacy brands will help you build the perfect French girl beauty routine.
Shopping at the pharmacy for beauty products is a task that is distinctly French. While we Americans think of medication and low-quality beauty products when going to the pharmacy, pharmacy beauty is surprisingly high-end in France.
I think the French take a more scientific approach to beauty, and therefore many anti-aging and skincare products are found at the pharmacy. While Americans see skincare as an aesthetic concern, the French approach it from a healthcare point of view, and thus seek out their pharmacist for advice.
If you are in France, be sure to check out these top-rated best French pharmacy brands. We’ll tell you a bit about each of their history as well as what you must buy from each!
Caudalie
Founders of Caudalie, Mathilde, and Bertrand Thomas, met Professor Joseph Vercauteren, a laboratory director of the Pharmacy University of Bordeaux, before creating the company we know today. Professor Vercauteren, in teaching them about the powerful antioxidants found in grape seeds, inspired the first three original products of Caudalie and the company itself.
Caudalie Vinotherapist Hand and Nail Cream
$16.00 ($6.40 / Fl Oz) (as of December 20, 2024 22:11 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Mathilde and Bertrand began creating a name for themselves in 1995, by promoting their first three products to pharmacists throughout France. The now infamous Beauty Elixir—inspired by the Queen of Hungary’s elixir of youth—was created in 1997 and has been a cult classic ever since.
Caudalie has gone on to open successful Vinothérapie Spas, which combine the natural active ingredients of the grapes and grapevines to provide one-of-a-kind facials and body treatments. They have also patented the active ingredient in regenerative resveratrol and now produce products with Vinierine, which helps reduce the appearance of dark spots on the skin.
The best Caudalie products include the Instant Detox Mask and dark spot treatment Vinoperfect Serum.
Bioderma
For Bioderma, it all began with Jean-Noël Thorel, a pharmacist who sought to be innovative within the world of dermo-cosmetics. In 1977, Bioderma had its first success with the Nodé Shampoo. Bioderma aims to treat, heal, and preserve all skin types and conditions, including, but not limited to, photoprotection, dehydrated skin, cell regeneration, and sensitive skin, among others.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
$18.99 ($1.14 / Fl Oz) (as of December 20, 2024 09:05 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)The company maintains a rigorous review of cosmetovigilance. This is an international alert procedure that allows Bioderma to study the adverse effects or intolerances that are caused by ingredients in skincare products.
Bioderma is a French pharmacy brand that seeks to preserve the skin’s ecosystem. This entails being aware not to over-treat the skin. Bioderma has made a name for itself by formulating products for every skin concern to help tackle and improve the quality of the customer’s most important organ, the skin.
The one French pharmacy product you must try from Bioderma is their famous H20 micellar water which I use almost every day!
La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay has products of remarkable quality because they partner with dermatologists to develop and create what they put out on the market. The Thermal Spring Water has been used at the La Roche-Posay Thermal Center since 1905, helping over 7,500 patients yearly with its healing properties.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
$23.99 ($7.10 / Fl Oz) (as of December 20, 2024 22:11 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Thermal water has been the key ingredient in La Roche-Posay’s products since 1975 when French pharmacist Rene Levayer created the brand La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique. The mission for Mr. Levayer was to develop skincare products that dermatologists would use and recommend.
La Roche-Posay is one of the best all-around French pharmacy brands and you can turn to them for almost anything including acne concerns. You must try the bestselling La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser as well as the Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer.
Avène
Avène set the standard for dermo-cosmetics for hypersensitive skin. The history of this company begins in the South of France in 1736 when Marquis of Rocozels’ horse trotted into the thermal spring of Avène, France. Rocozels’ horse suffered from alopecia (patchy hair loss) and after a romp in the thermal springs, his coat was restored to a healthy condition.
Avène Thermal Spring Water Facial Mist Spray
$19.00 ($1.88 / Fl Oz) (as of December 20, 2024 22:36 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)The Marquis of Rocozels opened baths in Avène, where he welcomed people who had a variety of skin conditions in 1743. Almost two decades later, in 1772, the Montpellier Academy of Medicine recognized the thermal spring water of Avène for its therapeutic properties.
By 1847, the French government declared thermal spring water from the Avène Hydrotherapy Center an official “public benefit.” Fast-forward to 1990, which is the year this French skincare brand was born; this is when Eau Thermale Avène became the first manufactured production site established at the springs.
Top Avène products include Eau Thermale spring water spray and High Protection Tinted Compact.
Embryolisse
The beginnings of Embryolisse are almost fairy-tale-like. In 1950, a dermatologist in a Parisian hospital created the now infamous Lait-Creme Concentré. The dermatologist was a specialist in skin diseases and dreamed of starting his line of skincare. Because the creme was so well-received, it sold exceptionally well worldwide and became a global commodity.
Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentré
$17.00 ($16.83 / Fl Oz) (as of December 20, 2024 21:53 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Embryolisse products are highly sought after and recommended by dermatologists, chemists, and makeup artists. Laboratories Embryolisse coined the term “dermo-cosmetic care,” which is driven by the philosophy of the essentials and the requirements of effectiveness and tolerance.
Based on this philosophy, the range of skincare you know and love was born, followed by their cosmetic products. The longevity Embryolisse has enjoyed is a true testament to the quality of the products.
Nuxe
Aliza Jabès is the founder of the French skincare company Nuxe, which continues to do all of its formulations and manufacturing out of France. Jabès is a graduate of Science Po Paris, with an MBA in Finance and Marketing.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil
$28.00 ($17.50 / Fl Oz) (as of December 20, 2024 21:44 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)She took a big risk in 1990 when she decided to distribute beauty products made at the Parisian Research Development laboratory. This decision was the best thing Jabès could have done, as it brought the products straight into the hands of the women she knew would love them.
The most loved products that Nuxe is known for, are: Huile Prodigieuse, Rêve de Miel lip balm and Nuxuriance Ultra. Nuxe continues to expand and create products, settings, and experiences. To create a space for women to nourish their minds and body, Nuxe opened a spa on Rue Montorgueil. Since the opening, they have expanded and opened 50 Spas worldwide.
Nuxe is definitely one of the more internationally successful French pharmacy brands.
Vichy
Vichy began in 1931 when Dr. Haller, the medical director at the thermal treatment center in Vichy, France, unearthed the riches of the Vichy Thermal Spa water on the skin. The water has 15 beneficial minerals and antioxidants. They have been found to noticeably improve skin quality and speed up its healing process. Dr. Haller can be credited for researching different skin types to formulate customized products according to different necessities.
Vichy has entered the digital age with innovations in skincare. In 2018, SkinConsult AI was launched; it is a skin diagnosis platform that gathers data using 15 years of research in skin aging.
In 2020, Vichy launched Vichy Connect, a series of Livestream talks hosted by multidisciplinary medical experts who discuss dermatological topics. Thanks to continued collaborations between dermatologists, gynecologists, and nutritionists, Vichy possesses a wealth of understanding regarding women’s skin and how to better serve women.
Be sure to try the highly-rated Vichy Minéral 89 Face Serum.
Biotherm
Biotherm was born from the innovative mind of Jeanine Marissal, who added thermal plankton from the mountain springs of Molitg-Les-Bains to her formulations in 1952. By 1957, Biotherm released its first moisturizer, Hydrothermal Cream.
Biotherm Lait Corporel Anti-Drying Body Milk
$44.00 ($3.25 / Fl Oz) (as of December 21, 2024 00:28 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)In 1974, Princess Grace inaugurated a new research center for Biotherm in Monaco. By 1985, not only was Biotherm a successful skincare company for women, but it now also carried products for men.
The company continued to innovate into 1987 releasing specific formulas dependent on age, catering to those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. By 1994, Biotherm started its Biotechnology Center where they could isolate and cultivate Life Plankton™ to create one-of-a-kind formulations. In 2012, for the brand’s 60th anniversary, they introduced a new platform in Biotechnologies; Beauty in the Deep.
Biotherm creates eco-designed products and packaging; they essentially strive to manufacture products that are safe for the environment by using renewable ingredients to achieve this.
The Biotherm Anti-Drying Body Milk is a best-selling favorite.
Klorane
Pierre Fabre, the founder of Klorane, was a man with a love for plants and truly believed in their healing properties and beauty benefits. In 1965, he founded Klorane with the concept of Pure Botanical Care in mind. Throughout the years, Klorane released one innovative product after the next.
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
$24.00 ($7.50 / Ounce) (as of December 20, 2024 22:36 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)In 1966, shampoo for blond hair was launched with chamomile; in 1967, a makeup remover with soothing cornflower was launched, then in 1971, the very first dry shampoo ever on the market was developed.
The Klorane Institute was founded in 1994, to protect, explore, and further educate on plant species and biodiversity. Because of Klorane’s efforts toward sustainability in 2010, they were given the Ecocert Environment ISO 26000, which is an award for quality and sustainable development. Klorane’s involvement in the Great Green Wall Project led to being awarded by UNESCO in 2015.
Today, Klorane continues producing high-quality products and has the Budding Botanist Grant Program to help the next generation learn about plants and discover their local ecosystem.
Klorane’s dry shampoo is an international favorite.
Cattier
Cattier is a French brand known for its natural and organic cosmetics, particularly its skincare and haircare products. The brand was founded in 1968 by Pierre Cattier, who initially focused on creating high-quality clay-based products. The use of clay, particularly green clay, is a hallmark of the brand, as it is known for its purifying and healing properties.
Cattier expanded to facial masks, cleansers, and moisturizers, as well as haircare products. The brand emphasizes natural ingredients and eco-friendly practices.
Cattier appeals to consumers who are looking for effective, natural alternatives to conventional cosmetics!
