French women are internationally known for their natural beauty. Their style is often simple yet elegant, as if they just woke up. That effortlessness if often just an illusion though – they do spend quite some time in the bathroom but they prefer to pretend that is not the case. Instead of putting on lots of make-up, they slather themselves in all kinds of typically French beauty products, making sure their skin looks great on itself. Some of these products are only available through French pharmacies, others you can buy online or in your local drugstore. We did some research and discovered five essentials you should always have in your cupboards in order to copy that French je ne sais quoi.
1. Bioderma Sensibio H2O Solution Micellaire
Micellar water has been around for quite some time now and it is here to stay. It looks just like any other water but in fact it takes of your make-up in no-time. And that is essential if you want your skin to look good. Sleeping with a face full of foundation or just little dirt particles – which will get on there anyway, whether you like it or not – will lead to break-outs. So, make it a habit to cleanse your skin before going to bed and when you wake up, in order to keep it clean and fresh-looking. Although there are tons of different brands of micellar water, the Bioderma one is a French classic. It is pH-neutral and even the most sensible skins will be able to cope with this product, so pick up some bottles whenever you can.
2. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
Other than cleansing, your skin needs to be hydrated at all times. No one wants to walk around with a dry and itchy face. Especially during the winter, when the inside air is a lot dryer because of the constant heating, your skin will need some help staying hydrated though. If you are looking for a nice and multifunctional cream, try the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré. It is quite rich in texture, meaning a little will go a long way. You can use it as both a day cream and a night cream, yet that is not all. Did you know it also functions very well as a hydrating mask when you put on a big layer and let it sit for a while? And if you are looking for a good base to put on under your make-up, this will do the trick as well. You could even take of your make-up with it if you wanted to!
3. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse
Are you more of an oil lover? No problem, the French have thought about you as well. The Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse is the most sold beauty product in French pharmacies and we get why. This oil is not actually greasy but it will keep your skin looking and feeling hydrated. You can use it everywhere: on your face, your body, your hands or even on your hair if you want to give it a little boost. The smell alone would make us to slather ourselves in this product. Thanks to the formula, the Huile Prodigieuse also stops fine particles from sticking onto your skin. If you want to take things a step further, you could even buy the glittery version. Especially during summer, this will make your tanned skin stand out even more.
4. Biafine Emulsion
Something I tend to always pick up whenever I am in France is the Biafine Emulsion. This product is great, especially if you too are a bit clumsy in the kitchen. If you get burned, for example when you are taking something out of the oven without paying too much attention, you will want this to soothe your skin. Apply a thick layer of Biafine and chances are, your skin will look like new after a couple of minutes. Although you should always put on sun cream to protect your skin, it has happened to all of us: you stay out in the sun for too long and once you get home, you realize you look like a burned tomato. Well, Biafine will act like a great after sun as well. The redness will go away and with a bit of luck, you will not even peel afterwards.
5. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
If you have a tattoo, you might already know this product. Lots of tattoo artists will tell you to put Cicaplast Baume B5 on your freshly inked skin to help the healing process. But it does more than that. Dry hands, irritated skin, redness… just put some of this cream on it and it will probably go away. Thanks to the formula, the product can even be used on young children. Always read the prescription of course, yet this definitely is a must-have if you have got sensitive skin.
