We love Australian beauty brands. But there’s nothing quite like the thrill of picking up cult products when you’re on holidays. And French pharmacies are somewhat of a mecca for skincare enthusiasts.
If you’re not heading to Europe this year – or you simply don’t have the bag space to spare – we’ve rounded up the ultimate French skincare buys that you can get your hands on without leaving home.
Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre Multi-purpose Moisturiser
$47
If you’ve got skin that’s prone to giving a little bit of sass (especially when travelling or at the change of seasons), this nourishing cream is a make or break. It gives a really good base for make-up when applied as a daily moisturiser. But you can also use it as a cleanser and a hydrating mask, which is especially useful if you are on-the-go. Pop it on dry elbows or even use it to soothe post-shave or post-sun skin on your body.Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil
$62.99
This oil feels like a holiday in a bottle (mostly thanks to the orange-blossom scent). The dry finish means it won’t leave you feeling sticky or slimy when it’s hot and humid. Lather it on your limbs, add a pump to your face cream or even pop it in the ends of your hair.La Roche Posay Retinol B3 Serum
$71.95
It can be tricky to get your hands on A313 retinol but this La Roche Posay serum is up there for efficacy, especially for sensitive skin types. It includes niacinamide, which can help to offset any irritation.Avene Thermal Spring Water
$28.99
A face mist might seem like a boujee addition to your routine but this multi-use spray proves its worth. Spritz your face before using hydrating serums to help lock-in moisture, let a light layer set daily make-up or use it to help cool down skin after your next workout. Pro tip: keep a bottle on your desk for mid-afternoon skin pick-me-ups when office heating is drying you out.Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
$32.99
Micellar water is a great first step for removing SPF, make-up and daily dirt and this pink-capped bottle is synonymous with French girl beauty. The iconic three-in-one make-up remover, toner and cleanser is fragrance-free and ideal for sensitive skin. Tiktok has recently taught us it can be used as a substitute for dry shampoo, too.Biafine Emulsion
$31.95
This little tube houses an everything cream that’s a fixture in Parisian medicine cabinets. The fast-absorbing texture is a go-to for healing sunburns, scrapes and scaly skin. It can also be used for scarring and on skin after laser peels or dermabrasion.Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk
$22.99
If you’re longing for tousled French girl locks, this dry shampoo is a key ingredient. It helps to add volume and texture without leaving sticky residue in the hair. There’s an original and a tinted version depending on your hair colour. We take no responsibility for self-cut curtain bangs if you fall down a Camille Charrière/Jeanne Damas/Violette Serrat hair rabbit hole.L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
$45
Neat nails are a hallmark of French beauty. This rich hand cream helps to keep crusty cuticles and dry hands at bay. The jasmine and ylang ylang scent is akin to perfume and there’s something about the aluminium tube that keeps us coming back. C’est chic.We hope you like the products we recommend on Broadsheet. Our editors select each one independently. Broadsheet may receive an affiliate commission when you follow some links.
