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5 French skincare secrets you need to know

From thermal water spray to a holistic approach, this is how the French get such enviable skin. By Prudence Wade.

Prudence Wade
Friday 23 June 2023 08:30 BST
Brigitte Bardot was a French beauty icon (Alamy/PA)
Brigitte Bardot was a French beauty icon (Alamy/PA)

There’s a reason the French look is held to the highest standard in beauty.

Everyone wants a piece of that effortlessly cool aesthetic, and French beauty products are some of the best in the world.

Dr Marine Vincent, founder of The French Pharmacy, notes the French approach favours ā€œa more minimalistic and effortless lookā€.

She says: ā€œFrench women lean towards a more natural aesthetic, prioritising a prevention-focused and holistic approach to beauty.

ā€œFrench women value taking care of their skin as a form of self-care and overall wellbeing. They understand that healthy skin is a reflection of a healthy lifestyle.ā€

Plus, Vincent says ā€œembracing your individuality and cultivating self-confidence are key elements of French beautyā€.

If you want to get more of a Parisian glow, take a look at some of these French skincare secrets…

1. Adopt positive habits early on

ā€œIn French culture, skincare is indeed ingrained from a young age, and I believe it comes again from the wellbeing and holistic approach to beauty,ā€ Vincent reflects. ā€œWe see it as part of our self-care, not as an option.ā€

She says she learned the ā€œsignificance of using quality productsā€ growing up, and her mother ā€œtaught me to cleanse, moisturise and protect my skin from an early ageā€ – with her first moisturiser from classic French pharmacy brand AvĆØne.

ā€œTime has passed and I now gave the same advice to my 12-year-old daughter,ā€ Vincent adds – now adding sunscreen into that list, which is ā€œone of the most effective anti-ageing skincare toolsā€.

Part of forming these positive habits is consistency, which Vincent says is ā€œkey in skincare, as it helps to maintain the skin’s balance and prevents common issues such as acne or premature ageing, so starting early will allow you to establish good habits early on, making it easier to maintain them in the long-termā€.

2. Use French pharmacy products

ā€œIf you’re looking for effective skincare without all the fancy marketing and high price tags, French pharmacy beauty products are definitely worth exploring,ā€ says Vincent. ā€œThey’ve got a solid reputation for a reason.ā€

One of the reasons they’re so good is they ā€œfocus on simplicityā€, Vincent suggests.

ā€œFrench skincare brands often prioritise using key active ingredients that are known to work wonders for the skin. It’s all about delivering visible results without any fuss.ā€

Look out for brands like La Roche-Posay, AvĆØne, Caudalie and Bioderma – helping you get science-based, effective products without breaking the bank.

Bioderma Hydrabio Serum, £20, Escentual

Caudalie Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid, £25

3. Try endermologie

This secret is a bit pricier than pharmacy skincare products, but many French women swear by it.

Endermologie is a treatment where a therapist uses a machine with various settings on your body or face.

ā€œIt is very renowned for its amazing results, primarily on cellulite, sagging skin [and] body contouring,ā€ suggests LPG Endermologie ambassador Nathalie Paradis.

She says it’s ā€œpowerfulā€ in ā€œincreasing firmness, but at the same time very respectful of the skin, especially when it’s fragileā€.

Endermologie isn’t quite a household name in the UK, but is much more prominent in France where there’s a more holistic approach to beauty. Paradis says: ā€œWe are facing a new era where beauty cannot be separated from health, and where people can benefit from this technology to reach their goals of wellbeing in an increasingly stressful environment.ā€

Becoming increasingly popular in UK salons, it can also be used to treat scars or scar tissue.

4. Get the ā€˜French touch’

Vincent says thermal water spray is the extra ā€œFrench touchā€ you can add to your beauty bag and use ā€œall year longā€.

According to Vincent, some of the best uses of thermal water spray are before applying hyaluronic acid serums (you ā€œneed moisture to be effectiveā€, she says), to ā€œfix your make-upā€, to refresh your face in summer and ā€œto layer in between your skincare steps and add an extra layer of hydrationā€.

Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray for Sensitive Skin, £15.50, Boots

Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Spa Water, £9, Look Fantastic

5. Use a secret weapon

Is cica cream in your routine? This is the nickname for centella asiatica creams and ā€œlong before [it was a] TikTok trend, all French women have one in their beauty bagā€, Vincent says.

According to Vincent, it’s useful for any skin irritation (cracked lips, burns, baby rashes, etc), dry areas (like elbows or knees), after sun, as a skin recovery mask and as a moisturiser.

La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm, £10, Boots

Bioderma Cicabio Pommade – Repairing Ointment, Ā£8, Escentual

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