French girl beauty has a certain je ne sais quoi that continues to mystify—an aspirational effortlessness that we can’t get enough of. So, we decided to unearth French pharmacy beauty finds that keep skin healthy even before that signature rouge lip. While we’d prefer galavant right over to our trusted Parisian pharmacy to pick up a bag full of goodies, heading straight to the source isn’t always that easy. Thankfully, regardless of what your summer travel plans are you can order some of your favorite brands right on Amazon.
Our Top Picks
Perhaps start with a good cleanse with La Roche-Posay’s gentle creamy cleanser for the face, or Klorane’s strengthening shampoo for hair. Refresh dry under eyes with Vichy’s hyaluronic acid-infused eye gel, or quench dehydrated hands with L’Occitane’s shea butter cream. Ready to stock your vanity with the best of les pharmacies Française? Below, an edit of ten brands to shop now—and top products to consider.
Caudalie
Founded by Mathilde Thomas in Bordeaux, Caudalie sought to utilize the antioxidant powers of grape seed polyphenols for anti-aging solutions across the face and body—thanks to insight from professor Joseph Vercauteren, a leading specialist in polyphenols. To clarify pores and rid of impurities, try the Detox Mask which works to cleanse and tighten in just ten minutes. Those looking to get rid of dark spots should consider the beloved Vinoperfect serum which boosts radiance and helps even skin tone.
L’Oreal
Founded in 1909 by Eugène Schueller, L’Oréal is surely one of the most acclaimed cosmetics brand to come out of Paris in the last century. Though many of its hero products—like its Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid serum or Lumi Glotion bronzing drops—are already bestsellers on Amazon and in store, there are dozens of hidden gems worth discovering. Think: the volumizing Panorama mascara that manages to lengthen and define each lash, or the Color Riche Satin Lipstick—both of which have made their way into Kendall Jenner’s 2024 beauty routine.
La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay is one of the most notable French pharmacy brands available stateside—often seen lining the shelves of your favorite drug stores and retailers like Ulta. Founded in 1975, the brand is continuously recommended by dermatologists for gentle, yet effective products suitable for even sensitive and mature skin. Consider the gentle cleanser, infused with the brand’s prebiotic thermal water and ceramides to retain skin’s moisture. Or, this oil-free sunscreen that helps absorb pore-clogging oils—a solve for acne-prone skin types.
L’Occitane
Look to L’Occitane en Provence for skin, hair, and fragrance products sourced right from the south of France. As the name suggests, Olivier Baussan founded the brand in 1976 to celebrate botanicals found in the region. To moisturize les mains, apply a dollop of the shea butter-infused hand cream whenever needed. Or, for body, keep the oil-to-milk cleanser in your shower to experience the nourishing benefits of almond and grape seed oil.
Christophe Robin
Master colorist Christophe Robin certainly knows a thing or two about healthy, shiny haircare so its no wonder the French scene flocked to his products when they were made available in 1999. The line offers a host of gentle, color-safe solutions for all hair types and a range of concerns—just take a peak at the Luscious Curls collection to treat coils and waves, or the Regenerating serum to revive damaged hair. The latter collection is an editor favorite—beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden can’t get enough of its prickly pear-infused hair serum; and even celebs like Sofia Richie Grainge have shared the love of its Regenerating Mask. “I’m convinced it’s the only reason my hair grew so lusciously during COVID,” she once revealed over TikTok. For those more interested in scalp care, the brand’s Purifying Scrub offers a luxe take on removing excess buildup and oils.
Embryolisse
The Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré was born in 1950 at a Parisienne hospital, and decades later the formula is a coveted everyday moisturizer that even doubles as a face primer. If you prefer a lighter option, shop the corresponding Fluid lotion which offers the same nourishing and soothing benefits.
Phyto Paris
Renowned Parisian hairdresser Patrick Alès created Phyto for botanical hair-care solutions that were more gentle than its chemical-based counterparts. We’d reach for the Smoothing Balm to achieve an ultra-sleek blowout free of frizz and tangles. Otherwise, consider the scalp treatment which protects hair follicles and encourages growth to combat hair thinning.
Bioderma
Jean-Noël Thorel founded Bioderma with skin biology in mind to maintain, protect, and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. With that ethos in mind, you can expect each of its products to do well for sensitive skin types. Perhaps the most iconic product stateside is its micellar water, which easily removes dirt, oil, and makeup from skin without irritation or stripping its natural moisture. Then there’s the face and body cleansing oil that leaves skin soft and nourished after one wash.
Avène
Avène’s history dates back to the 18th century in the namesake south of France town, where thermal spring baths were utilized to treat patients with skin conditions from dermatitis to eczema and psoriasis. Now, the brand brings the water’s skin-soothing properties to its lineup of sensitive skin-friendly salves. Spritz the Thermal Spring Water spray across your face whenever you need to calm irritation or a bit more moisture. Otherwise, if typical retinol formulas are too harsh on your skin, consider the RetrinAL cream smooth fine lines and plumpen.
Klorane
In desperate need of a hair-care refresh? Take a peek into Klorane’s assortment of plant-based, biodegradable formulas; Pierre Fabre founded the brand in 1965 inspired by the healing properties of botanicals. Nowadays, the dry shampoo with oat milk is recommended for sensitive scalps to combat irritation and quell oils. On the other hand, give its strengthening shampoo a try to promote visibly thicker, healthy-looking hair.
Vichy
Launched in 1931, Vichy was founded by Dr. Prosper Haller who had a holistic approach to beauty with overall health in mind—powered by Vichy Thermal Mineralizing Water. And so, perusing through its collection you’ll discover efficacious serums like the LiftActiv Vitamin C which pairs the antioxidant with hyaluronic acid to brighten and firm. To hydrate and smooth fine lines around the eyes though, look out for the Minéral 89 gel.
Leonor Greyl
Leonor Greyl delivers botanical-infused solutions to repair, style, and nourish all hair types while maintaining a healthy scalp. Co-founded by Greyl and her husband Jean-Marie in 1968, the brand is still family-run and now a global sensation—even counting celebrities like Conan Gray as fans. Gray utilized the styling cream to soften his curls, while the L’Huile de Leonor Greyl is a classic hydrating pre-shampoo treatment.
Nuxe
While Nuxe used to be an IYKYK French pharmacy find, in recent years the brand has generated quite a bit of buzz in stateside—notably for its incredible body oils. Its Huile Prodigieuse is packed with seven 100% botanical oils to condition the hair, skin, and nails—revealing a gleaming, dry-touch glow. Or, for those interested in a glimmering sparkle, the Huile Prodigieuse Or tops our list of shimmering body oils. Also worth mentioning from founder Aliza Jabès’s remarkable lineup is Rêve de Miel—a honey lip balm known to repair even dry, flaking lips.