If you're looking for next level skincare, French skincare brands are the answer. Whether you're looking for affordable essentials made with quality ingredients or luxury products worth every penny spent, French skincare lines like La Roche-Posay, Nuxe, Cauadlie can cover it all. It's for that reason that one of the most common things to bring back from France when traveling abroad is skincare. If you're looking to purchase a few quality products to bring back home with you, then you're going to want to read this blog.
The European Union is known for having strict regulations when it comes to cosmetics, whereas the FDA in the United States is not as stringent. While the EU has banned over 1,300 ingredients including parabens, formaldehyde, and phthalates, the US allows most ingredients except for 11 for cosmetic use. This means that French skincare is seen as safer and more effective compared to a lot of the brands that we're used to in the United States. The French are also more focused on prevention as opposed to correction, and they like the simplicity of less steps in their skincare routines so the products made and used by the French were created with these fundamentals in mind.
Odds are if you named your top five favorite skincare brands, atleast one or two would be French. A lot of the top French brands are sold not only across France but also across the world. Some of the most popular French skincare brands today include:
Avène
La Roche-Posay
Bioderma
Caudalie
Embryolisse
Vichy
Clarins
Sisley Paris
Nuxe
L’Occitane en Provence
There are countless great skincare products in France but a few stand out as the best products to bring home due to affordability, quality, and more. These include:
A313 Pommade. This product is one of the best over-the-counter retinols a person could buy. When I went to France a couple months ago, I spent €7 on a tube of A313. I ended up going back to the pharmacy after buying one and buying three more to bring home after seeing the price for me to buy it in the U.S. was $25+.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Cream. This moisturizer is perfect for calming sensitive or reactive skin and has become a staple in my routine.
Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Intense Moisturizing Cream. Caudalie is just such an amazing brand all-around so it should be no surprise that this intense moisturizer has made the list! I wear this moisturizer every single day.
Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. Known for brightening dark spots and evening out skin tone, this serum will give you the most beautiful glow.
Bioderma Cicabio Crème. This restorative cream works wonders on irritated or damaged skin, providing relief and promoting healing. While I didn't personally buy this, it's on the list because I consistently have heard about how great it is.
Caudalie Instant Detox Mask. This is a quick and effective mask that tightens pores and leaves the skin feeling refreshed and revitalized. I brought this one home as a gift for my mom!
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse. This is a dry oil that nourishes and adds a glow to the face, body, and hair, with a signature scent that I'm in love with. I brought one of these home with me and I love the shimmer it gives.
Avène Mineral Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50. This is a lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen that provides great sun protection while being gentle on sensitive skin.
Most of the pharmacies in France carry a lot of the same products so the main difference when comparing multiple places is the amount of stock and the price of each item. After shopping at a few different pharmacies in France, I would personally say that the best pharmacy to go to is CityPharma. Known for its affordability, this pharmaceutical chain has large stores dotted across Paris and the rest of France and they carry all the popular skincare brands. When I visited CityPharma, I got a number of products from A313, Caudalie, Nuxe, and La Roche-Posay. I then went to a smaller, family-owned pharmacy to get more A313 and I was astounded by the price difference. CityPharma charged me €7 for a tube of A313 while this little pharmacy charged €20. Because of that, I would recommend just going to CityPharma. While it's a lot busier compared to other places, there's a good reason why-trust me.
CityPharma is going viral on TikTok because of the chain's affordability and how large their stock is! People are absolutely loving all the great brands that they carry and the prices that go along with those products. TikTok also keeps showing lots of shoppers in the store so it feels like it's always busy and that everyone can't get enough of it. After seeing CityPharma on TikTok I decided to stop myself while on a girls trip to Paris and I must say...though we did find it to be INSANELY busy we all got a ton of great products from Caudalie, La Roche-Posay, Nuxe, and more. If I went back to Paris, I would go again and again!
Yes, French skincare products are typically cheaper in France compared to the United States. This is because there aren't any import fees (since the product is made in the country) and because in France brands like Bioderma, Clarins, Caudalie, etc are considered everyday essentials where in the U.S. they're seen as luxury imports. This means if you're a fan of French skincare products, you should definitely buy them while you're visiting France! You'll notice a significant markup when trying to buy them in the states instead.
French skincare stands out because of the strict regulations the European Union has for products sold in the cosmetics industry. European products also place more emphasis on prevention over correction, minimal fragrances, and all-natural ingredients. Many of the French skincare brands are dermatologist-approved because of these qualities, where it's harder to find advanced skincare products with similar traits in the United States.
While I was on my trip to France in November I picked up quite a few skincare products from CityPharma. Specifically I bought four tubes of A313, La Roche-Posay hand cream, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse gold shimmering dry oil, and Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Face Cream. Since then, I've been using the A313 every other night, the Caudalie face cream every single morning during my usual skincare routine, and the other two products more sparingly when they''re necessary. Overall I would say even though I love the results from all four evenly, I can't get over the deal the A313 was in Paris. I'm so glad I bought multiple tubes because I definitely want to continue using that product as part of my nightly skincare routine for a while and its 3x the price to buy it on Amazon here in Connecticut. I would recommend all four of these products to anyone, but I would emphasize getting the A313 the most.
There are a few different ways to buy French skincare products from your favorite brands without going to France. Here are your options:
Purchase directly from the brand. While the prices might be more expensive to buy directly from the skincare brand, this option allows you to keep your bathroom shelf stocked with all your favorites without having to physically go to Paris!
Visit CityPharma online. Lucky for all you CityPharma lovers out there, it is possible to purchase products from CityPharma online and have them shipped to the United States.
Stop into Sephora to see if they carry the brands you're looking for. Larger retailers like Sephora carry brands like Caudalie, Dior, L'Occitane, and more.
Take a look Amazon or Walmart's products. Even though these products will likely cost a premium since they have to be expoerted from France, odds are Amazon or Walmart has the products that you're looking for.
I went to France this past November and I would love nothing more than to share every detail with you! From restaurant reviews in Paris to museum tips and what souvenirs you should bring home (butter better be one-duuhhhh) let me be your guide for your next Paris trip! Click below to subscribe or scroll down to see other blogs about France.
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The best French skincare brand depends on your needs, but La Roche-Posay is often praised for its dermatologist-backed formulas and sensitive skin care.
Affordable options include La Roche-Posay, Avène, Bioderma, and Nuxe, all of which offer high-quality products at reasonable prices.
Luxury French skincare brands include Sisley Paris, Clarins, Lancôme, and Chanel, known for their indulgent formulas and premium packaging.
Cruelty-free French brands include Caudalie, Nuxe, and Typology, although it’s always good to check the latest certifications.
La Roche-Posay is the top choice for dermatologists worldwide, thanks to its clinically tested, gentle formulas for sensitive and problem-prone skin.
Caudalie is celebrated for its use of natural ingredients like grapevine extracts, effective for hydration, anti-aging, and brightening without harsh chemicals.
La Roche-Posay is praised for its gentle, dermatologist-tested formulas, featuring soothing thermal water and effective treatments for various skin concerns.
Yes, A313 is a highly effective and affordable over-the-counter retinoid, especially for beginners or those looking for a gentle option.
A313 is significantly cheaper and more readily available in Parisian pharmacies, making it a must-buy for skincare enthusiasts visiting France.
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