It is a universally accepted notion that French women possess an inimitable cool factor. Between their laid-back sense of style and their (seemingly) effortless beauty routines, editors worldwide have been dissecting their lifestyles for years. And while we might not be able to copy and paste their undefinable je ne sais quoi, we can learn from their favourite brands. Enter the French skincare brands that have become my new hyperfixation. 

As any beauty lover will know, great makeup starts with great skincare. I learned about this the hard way after a bout of bad skin earlier this year. Since then, I have become obsessed with restoring my skin barrier and French pharmacy beauty brands – known for their gentle, skin-loving ingredients – were exactly where I started. 

Simple, affordable and often dermatologist-endorsed, French pharmacy brands are a go-to for beauty enthusiasts looking to strip back or simplify their routines. Thankfully, you don’t need to hop on a long-haul flight to find them either; many of these brands are stocked at local Australian chemists or available online. 

From La Roche-Posay to Bioderma and Embryolisse, there are a whole host of brands creating restorative skincare that can help to rejuvenate sensitive skin and give your complexion a boost. They’re trusted for a reason: by dermatologists, French women and now, by me!  Keep scrolling for the French pharmacy skincare brands I would recommend to a friend.