France is all about FACE

The Best French Pharmacy Beauty Products | 

As a baby faced 30-something, I’ve been known to oscillate between the extremes of daily chemical peels and just using bar soap on my face. However, when you go to France, you stock up on Pharmacy beauty products.

Through research, and user testing, here are my top recommended products:

FACE

Daily Moisturizer with SPF

I’ve been blessed with clear skin, but on the flip side, my skin is very sensitive. Anything too greasy, too chemically, too scented – and I break out. So, finding a daily moisturizer with SPF has always been a struggle of mine. Enter, Avène Hyrance Optimale UV Riche Crème hydrante. Formulated for dry sensitive skin with an SPF 20 worked in, it’s been perfect for working in the vineyards. It’s very light and has almost no scent. Avène is known for its “Eau Thermale” or thermal waters, which literally bubbles up from the ground in the Orb Valley, France. This pH neutral water is included in all of it’s products and has soothing and anti-irritating properties.

Avène Hyrance Optimale UV Riche Crème hydrante  | €13-16

Night Cream

While technically not a “Night Cream” the cult following of the next product speaks for itself. Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concèntré is hailed as one of the not so secret “secret weapons” of makeup artists and models. I was skeptical, but this cream is thus far living up to the hype. First, it smells amazing. I’m very sensitive to smells, but this stuff smells like a dream. Second, it leaves your skin feeling baby smooth and super hydrated.

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concèntré | €19

 

I didn’t get a change to try SVR Hydraliane Lègére, but apparently it’s better than Embryolisse. SVR wasn’t a brand readily available in small town France, or else I’d would have grabbed one for “science.”

SVR Hydraliane Lègére Crème hydrantante intense  | €13

 

EYES

Dark Circles | Puffiness | Wrinkles

I’ve always had darker than I’d like eye circles. I’d come to terms with it and just used concealer. However, I discovered Filorga Optim-Eyes. Now, Filorga has been working on injectable anti-aging productions since 1978, so I guess that makes them experts in keeping faces young. What’s cool about this product, is that it’s one of the results of Filorga’s move into non-injectables. Now, i’ve only been using this product for a few weeks, and it may be a placebo effect, but I think my eyes are looking less dark and puffy. The product has a light scent and comes in a really cool bottle. It also takes the smallest pin size amount to cover both under eyes. This product is a bit pricey, but worth a try it your under eyes are an area you’re concerned about.

Filorga Optim-Eyes | €62

 

LIPS

Hydrate to Gyrate

I found this gem thanks to my good friend Amanda in Texas. She kept this “crack” at her desk and once I used it, I was hooked. Nuxe Rêve De Miel Baume Lèvres Ultra-Nourrissant is the best €9 you’ll ever spend, and your lips will thank you for it. This thick honey salve takes a little bit of working to get on your finger, but once it heats up and goes on your kisser, it’s over. It’s not too greasy, it’s super hydrating, and leaves you feeling soft and supple. Nuxe is also a really cool French brand and has tons of amazing cult products that women swear by. From what I can tell, you can’t go wrong with anything Nuxe.

Nuxe Rêve De Miel Baume Lèvres Ultra-Nourrissant | €9

 

HANDS

Soft Paws

Within a week of working in the vineyard, my hands were wrecked. Also, I’d run out of my favorite hand lotion from home (CeraVe Moisturizing Cream – it’s amazing). Dry hands make me crazy, so I had to act fast. After some research, in store and online, I settled on Cica Biafine Crème Mains Anti-Teaches Brunes Nourrissante – which translates to “anti-brown spot nourishing hand cream.” I was looking for the regular hand cream, but I wasn’t going to say no to the added benefit of preventing age spots (I’ve heard prevention is key). This product is a great, long lasting hand cream. It absorbs pretty quickly, leaving you with hydrated paws. It’s not particularly special, but it gets the job done. Not pictured is the Nuxe Rêve De Miel Crème Mains et Ongles – it’s also a great daily hand cream, and smells really nice.

Cica Biafine Crème Mains Anti-Teaches Brunes Nourrissante | €7,50

Nuxe Rêve De Miel Crème Mains et Ongles | €7

 

HAIR

TLC for your tresses

After three weeks of working in the vineyard, with my hair tied-up, drenched in sweat, and washed daily – my poor locks needed some love. I kept seeing shelves of Klorane in all the pharmacies, and they all looked delicious – seriously. They come in a million scents, colors, and treatments. I got “Volume” with flax fiber – and after washing my hair with it the first time, I felt like a whole new woman. What’s interesting about the Volume conditioner is that it’s clear. I’ve never used a clear conditioner before, and I do miss the creamy feeling of the conditioners I’m used to, however, my hair has never been shinier. I recommend trying out one that’s fitting for your hair type.

Klorane Shampooing aux fibres de Lin | €5

Klorane baume apres-shampooing | €9,95

 

I still have two weeks left in France, and countless Pharmacies to visit (it’s become a bit of an obsession now.) I’ve heard that City Pharma on 26 Rue du Four in Paris is THE place to go to find all your French beauty needs…I’ll be heading there shortly. Aurevoire for now!