Looking for the best French beauty products to buy in France? Here’s the complete list you need! It’s no secret I’m a francophile, but even if you’re not, I swear French beauty products are just THE BEST. French beauty products are made with extremely high quality ingredients, generally pretty clean ingredients, and they are at a really good price point! The French are fanatical about skin care, which makes sense why their products are so good and France beauty tips are the best! (You can read more about the French beauty secrets I learned here)
Every time I travel to France I make sure to stock up on all of my favorite French beauty products to buy in Paris. With the steep discounts you can get on French beauty products in France, it’s almost worth the price of your plane ticket to plan a trip just to get your beauty shopping in and stock up on all the best beauty products to buy in France! Those French girls just don’t know how lucky they are to have regular access to French beauty products and pharmacies!
If a trip to France is just not in the cards for you, you can buy all the best French beauty products online as well. Read on for my favorite French beauty products to buy in France, where to buy them, and which brands to look for. If you’re not able to make it to France, I’ve also linked up all the products for you to shop all the best French beauty products online with a glass of rose, pretending you’re in France. Almost as good as a trip to Paris! Almost!
Where to shop for the best beauty products to buy in Paris:
Where to shop for the best beauty products to buy in Paris:It’s really easy to fit beauty shopping into your France itinerary and buy all the best French beauty products to buy in Paris as there is a pharmacy on almost every block and most of the pharmacies have a really great selection of products. They will also load you up with lots of samples!
You can literally go to any French pharmacy, they are all very well stocked. Prices can often vary at different Parisian pharmacies, so if you have time, you may want to do some price comparison shopping. Many of the French pharmacies also run different daily specials. After this section on where to shop, we’ll share with you what to buy at the Paris pharmacy. (Just keep in mind the pharmacies are all closed on Sundays, so don’t plan to go to a French pharmacy on a Sunday!)
Wherever you shop, be sure to ask the staff for personalized recommendations. They are generally well trained in skin care and will be happy to recommend an individualized skin care routine for you. One of my favorite parts of traveling in France is the shopping experience. Storekeepers LOVE to provide their recommendations and will spend a lot of quality time with you, so do not hesitate to ask! (If you need French etiquette tips for a first time visit to France, check out this post)
If you’re in Paris and have time to make a dedicated stop to buy the best French beauty products in Paris, I recommend the following stores:
1 |CityPharma – a huge discount beauty emporium just off of Boulevard Saint-Germain. This is seriously the ultimate place to buy Paris pharmacy beauty products. Honestly, adding a stop in Paris anytime you’re in Europe is worth it just to visit this Paris pharmacy! I’ve never seen so many amazing Paris beauty products in one place!
2 | Mademoiselle Bio –a beauty supply store with all organic beauty products. There are several around the city and they are a great place for organic skincare to buy in Paris. They also have a good selection of cosmetics to buy in Paris if you tend to go organic with your cosmetics. I did not try any of their organic cosmetics, so I cannot speak to that
3 | Caudalie –many of my beauty recommendations come from there. This is my favorite place to buy the best skin care products in France. Plus Caudalie is cheaper in France!
There are several around the city but my favorite is in Le Marais. It’s close to a Carette, so be sure to stop by there after for macarons and tea. Ah, does a shopping experience get any more French or delightful than this?
4 | Rose Desgranges – this one is very unique. It’s a hidden French perfumery in the heart of the Faubourg Saint-Honoré’s street. They only sell one fragrance and it’s to die for. It’s hand down one of my favorite Paris beauty products.
If anything, go just to hear the story of how the fragrance was created and to experience the magical little courtyard. The story of how the fragrance was created and also the notes of the fragrance are told you by Rose’s daughter or granddaughter. It’s such a special and magical experience.
My sister and I walked away from it feeling so inspired and so pretty. I’m almost regretting sharing this tip with you because I love the idea of having this unique fragrance that not many people have. My own bottle has only a bit left and I’m savoring it. I can’t wait to go back to Paris and buy a couple more bottles because it makes me feel so pretty each morning when I spray it on.
If you want to know the story now, read on. If you want to save it as a surprise for your France trip, skip past the next photo. I will say, I’m not telling it half as well as it should be told because half the beauty is hearing it in the courtyard itself.
Rose moved to Paris with her family in 1940 during the war. She was training to be a pianist and had to quit her dreams to provide for her family. She started working at a salon and saved enough to buy the little courtyard and transform it into beauty supply shop. She was always obsessed with beauty and fragrance. Her husband, a chemist, created a special fragrance just for her. She wore it exclusively for years until one day she decided to start sharing it with the public and rebranded her shop to sell only that fragrance. She would fill the fountain with the fragrance so when people would walk by they would smell it. Her daughter and granddaughter now run the shop in her honor and only that fragrance is still sold.
The best French beauty products – brands to look for:
There are a couple brands that I think you can’t go wrong with when shopping for the best French beauty products. Almost every product made by the following brands are fantastic. Keep an eye out for these when shopping for the best French pharmacy beauty products. (and yes, French pharmacies even carry high end brands!) They are as follows:
- Clarins – a brand you can’t go wrong with for skincare to buy in Paris
- Caudalie – this is my go to brand for the best skin care products in France (see my review on all the Caudalie products I’ve tried here)
- Bioderma – needed for well moisturized skin
- Klorane – love all of their shampoos and conditioners
- Nuxe – their body oil is a must!
- La Roche Posey – a classic for a reason!
- L’Occitane – get all the lotions!
- Avene – their thermal water is a cult French skincare product!
12 Best French Beauty Products to buy in France or online:
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Click any image below to shop French beauty products online
Here’s a list of exactly what to buy in a Paris pharmacy or any pharmacy in France! Add each of these must buy beauty products in France to your shopping list! I tend to buy extras to stock up, but be sure that you aren’t buying more than what you can use in two years. Keep in mind that unopened skincare products expire within 1-3 years and opened skincare products expire in 6 months to a year.
If there’s a French beauty product that has come highly recommended, I’ll usually purchase two so that I don’t regret it if I absolutely love it and can’t live without it after I come home. I’ll also sometimes try some of the French beauty products during my trip so that if I love it right away, I can stock up on multiples.
1. Nuxe Multi Use Dry Oil
Every French friend I’ve ever had has RAVED about this dry oil to me. You can use it in your hair, on your body, on your facial skin, the options are endless. I’ve mainly used it on my body and in my hair. It smells amazing and gives you the best glow. Plus it’s made with sweet almond oil, camellia oil, borage oil, tsubaki oil, and no gross silicones or preservatives.
I also really like this shimmery version for nights out. I’ll add it to my body lotion for just a touch of shimmer and bronze. Add this French beauty product to your short list of beauty products to buy in France.
2. Bioderma Micellar Water
Micellar water has recently become a trend for makeup remover in the states, but every brand is basically knocking off this original. It works on every skin type and helps to completely remove makeup, even waterproof eye makeup.
It’s the perfect first step in any cleansing routine and is another product that my French friends rave about. If you’re only going to buy one French beauty product, let it be this one so you can see what the hype is all about for yourself.
3. Caudalie Crushed Cabernet Scrub
I absolutely love this scrub. It makes my skin so soft! It’s the scrub that they use at Caudalie spas and it inspired their whole body care collection. While I’m willing to spend a lot on skin care products, I don’t normally splurge on body care products. This scrub changed my mind. Not only is it very effective but it just feels very pleasurable to use, which is a big part of a French skincare routine. Their philosophy is that if you love your beauty routine, you’ll be more consistent with it and it’ll feel like a indulgence rather than a chore. That’s why most French beauty products feel so pampering and pleasurable to use. It’s a really big priority in France beauty!
4. Caudalie Beauty Elixir
This toning mist is another cult favorite French beauty product. You can use it as a toner, setting spray, or just a refreshing spray anytime you need a little wake me up or radiance boost. It’s also perfect to perk up and hydrate your skin during and after long flights. I purchased a mini bottle to keep in my purse and travel bag. Sometimes, if I’m being extra good with my skin, I’ll keep it next to me while I work and spray it every so often.
5.L’OccitaneAlmond Shower Oil
This almond shower oil functions as an oil / body wash hybrid. It foams up when added to water and cleanses the skin while leaving it unbelievably soft. Plus it smells SO good. Yet another French beauty product that made me a convert of luxury body care products.
6. Avene Thermal Water
Okay,this thermal water spray is one of those best French beauty products that every French person swears by. It’s made from thermal spring water and incredibly hydrating and cleansing.
You can use it as a facial spray anytime but it’s especially great when your skin is tired or has been exposed to the sun. I use mine as recommended to me by a French beautician, after my toner and before my serum. I also use it on long and tiring days. I buy several at a time and make sure to buy minis that I can pop in my purse easily.
7. Caudalie Glycolic Peel
This is the most gentle peel I’ve ever tried. Most peels leave my skin flaky and red, but my skin can actually tolerate using this peel weekly. French beauty products tend to not be very harsh on the skin because it’s all about consistency, rather than quick results. This peel completely renews skin texture and boosts radiance in just 10 minutes, which means you can fit it into a busy schedule. My skin looks so fresh and glowy after using this product! Such a good at home treatment and high on my list of best French beauty products!
8.La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Face Moisturizer
I have a sunscreen that I love (which is also French), but I usually alternate it with this moisturizer in the winter. It has SPF 20, but is extremely sheer so it goes well under makeup. It contains hyaluronic acid which helps hydrate and plump skin. You can see immediate smoothed and radiant results. If you are short on time, you can skip using other serums and moisturizers when using this sunscreen. One of the best French beauty products and in my opinion, the best day face cream in France.
9. Caudalie Rose Body Wash
This body wash just smells so delicious, it makes me happy every time I use it. I’m not sure if it’s really doing that much for my skin, but it does clean my skin without stripping it of natural oils and again, just smells SO good! I’ve found it in French pharmacies for under $4, but it is a bit pricey online. This is really just a treat yo’ self type of purchase, but since it’s something that brings a bit of happiness to my every shower, I thought it was worth it to recommend as a great French beauty product.
10. Klorane Dry Shampoo
Full disclosure: I don’t use dry shampoo, but if I did it would be this one. It’s literally on every best French beauty products list and on many top dry shampoo lists. I do love Klorane in general and I stock up on their hair masks when I’m in France. Add this to your list of best French beauty products to buy in France!
11. Caudalie Lip Conditioner
I’ve tried so many lip balms and I LOVE this one. This is the best French lip balm! I would as far as to say I like it better than the nuxe lip balm, which is one of the other must buy beauty products in France when it comes to lip balms.
It is so truly moisturizing and has a very smooth consistency. Leave it to the French to come up with the best lip balm. Such a simple product, but a must for soft lips.
12. Bioderma Ultra Nourishing Cream
This bod
y lotion is extremely nourishing and is one of the few body lotions out there that helps repair the skin and teaches it to hydrate itself. This way you aren’t just moisturizing in the short term, but the skin learns how to properly moisturize itself. Sounds magical right? That’s why it’s yet another French cult favorite beauty product to buy in France.
It’s one of the Paris pharmacy beauty products I purchased on my last trip and I absolutely loved it! Wish I bought two bottles!
Best French Beauty Products – On My List to Try:
Here are a few more products I’m hesitant to recommend because I haven’t tried them yet, but these French beauty products are on my list to buy next time I’m in France. They are often touted as the best beauty products to buy in Paris!
- Nuxe Après-Soleil – an after sun lotion that supposedly helps extend the life of your tan
- Le PetitMarseillaisVanilla Milk Extra Gentle Shower Cream – the vanilla is handpicked and grown in the south of France. Tres chic and under $5 at Target
- DiptyqueL’Ombre Dans L’Eau Parfum Solide – a solid perfume with a rose fragrance. Can also purchase at Nordstrom
- Votre VuLe Joli Crayon – a budge proof eye liner
- Anything from Avene – another French cult favorite brand. I haven’t tried any of their products yet, but their thermal water is supposedly amazing
- EmbryolisseLait-Crème Concentrate – a no frills moisturizer that supposedly works magic. You can use it on face or body. Found it on Amazon
- Homeoplasmine – created for nursing moms to heal cracked nipples, BUT used by anyone on any cracked areas and supposedly works really well to heal it. Found it on Amazon
- PHYTO Phytodefrisant Botanical Straightening Balm
- La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios XL sunscreen—SPF 50 – in stick form
- Sanoflore lavender oil
- Caudalie Polyphenol C15 serum – to help fade sun spots and repair damaged skin
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser
- Boiron Homéostick Lip Balm
- Talika Eye Therapy Patch Mask – to reduce puffy eyes
- Filorga Paris ‘Time-Filler Eyes’ Absolute Eye Correction Cream – supposedly extremely effective for fine lines
Do you have any other French beauty products you love to buy in France? I’d love to add them to my list to try!
