If you are a beauty editor and you travel to Paris, it is an unspoken law that you must visit both Citypharma in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and La Pharmacie Monge, where you will proceed to get lost in the vortex and wonder of French Pharmacy Narnia, and emerge, truly understanding what the hype is all about.
In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s illegal not to go when you're in Paris.
As an Aussie, it can be hard to understand, because our chemists are decidedly, not that, but if you’re French, this is where you buy your skincare.
And as someone who is an unashamed Francophile (see my obsession with French-girl hair here) French pharmacy brands are where I turn to — and return to — time and time again for my skin.
And I’m not alone — a minute of your FYP and you’ll see Hailey Bieber (and the rest of BeautyTok) raving about the stuff.
The French are masters of formulation, and know how to treat a skin barrier with respect.
Pretty much all of their formulations are gentle with a focus on protecting and hydrating the skin, all are high quality and effective, and the best bit?
They won’t have you living off cup noodles until payday.
Now, luckily for you, the last decade has been kind to us beauty lovers, and nearly all of the iconic products we used to have to travel for are not only available here in Oz, but right here on these pages.
So, consider this your introduction to the French Pharmacy Hall Of Fame — the best brands, and the best products from those brands to save you the endless scrolling.
I’ve tried them all, and chosen the MVPs, so now you can try them all too — I just can’t be held responsible for the addiction that will ensue.
Avène.
What: Avène.
Five-second history: Hailing from the town of — you guessed it — Avène in south France, which is known for its thermal springs, it reportedly found its beginnings thanks to the horse of a Marquis who used to bathe in the springs to relieve its dermatitis-ridden legs.
After seeing the effect the Marquis then opened the Thermal Spring Water Baths in 1743.
It wasn’t until 250 years later (1990) that the first Eau Thermale Avène products were launched, and their products continue to focus on condition-prone and sensitive skin.
Best Avene Products:
Avène Thermal Spring Water - You can't have a best-of list without including the product which started it all.
More than just a spritz, it refreshes, relieves and prevents dehydration.
Avène Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream - TikTok (and Hailey Bieber) fave, this is a big chill pill for the skin, soothing sensitive skin and calming it after you’ve gone too hard on the actives.
La Roche-Posay.
What: La Roche-Posay.
Five-second history: Another brand with roots in the thermal springs, just like Avene La Roche-Posay’s brand namesake is another thermal-spring town — but this one in northwest France.
With roots tracing back to the 1400s where the benefits of thermal water were discovered, the brand was not officially launched until 1975.
Now it’s the number one dermocosmetic brand (developed and tested with dermatologists) worldwide.
Because of this, their formulations and research are second to none, and honestly it’s probably my most recommended brand to people because they really just nail the brief product-wise, and make them for people with all kinds of skin (and skin conditions).
Best La Roche-Posay Products:
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ - This sunscreen was the GOAT, way before brands were making sunscreen sexy. They just won the formulation game — it’s lightweight but not greasy or shiny, and was the first sunscreen on the market that actually made people want to wear it.
La Roche-Posay Redermic Vitamin C10 Serum 30ml - My most-recc’d affordable vitamin C, this punches well above its price point in terms of efficacy and the texture/ tone/ brightness it gives.
