The French seem to outclass the rest of the world in a myriad of things – wine, bread, cheese, even romance. But none of these things come close to their excellence in the beauty sector. Many French women entrust their skin to these brands by incorporating their products into their daily skincare routine.
Here are 22 of the best French beauty brands and some of their top skincare products.
The Best French Skincare Brands
1) Avène
With more than 270 years of experience, Avène delivers a range of quality sensitive skincare products. They provide a variety of natural products that are clinically proven to calm, soothe, and soften the skin. The company traces its roots to the picturesque village of Avène, growing into a global force by easing the pains of millions of people with sensitive skin. One of the most popular Avène products is Thermal spring water.
2) Biotherm
This French luxury skincare brand is owned by L’Oréal and has mastered the art of delivering skincare solutions for more than six decades. The brand is a master in skin biology and has pioneered the use of life planktons to create an exceptional range of luxury skincare products. Their catalogue boasts over 100 body and face solutions that cater to every type of skin and lifestyle. Iconic products from the brand include Lait Corporel Anti-Drying Body Milk and LIFE PLANKTON™ ESSENCE
(14ml.x 2 pcs.) Life Plankton stimulates skin regeneration to soothe and to protect the skin. - Thanks to a unique patented method of bio-fermentation.
Suggested use: After cleansing and toning the skin, take three to four drops of Life Plankton Elixir and warm it in the palm of your hand and massage on to face, neck, and chest. -For more targeted action, apply before your regular serum.
3) Bioderma
A privately-owned French company, Bioderma Laboratories, specializes in dermatology. Its products range from beauty products to medication that battles a host of scalp and dermatological conditions. Bioderma’s products use pure active ingredients in the right doses, and strict quality assurance sets their products apart from the rest. Some flagship products include Bioderma ABCDerm Moussant Mild Foaming Cleanser and Bioderma Sebium H2O Micellar Water.
4) L’Occitane
L’Occitane, short for L’Occitane en Provence, is an international retailer specializing in face, body and fragrances for men and women. They use modern technology to create a range of innovative beauty care products from natural and organic ingredients. Except for their beehive products, all their products are pure organic and natural and don’t involve animal products or testing. Their signature product is Shea Butter Hand Cream.
Protects, nourishes and moisturizes hands. Leaves hands soft and smooth with no oily traces. Massage this silky treatment into hands to counter dryness as often as needed.
A uniquely blended serum that helps your skin recover overnight from your intense everyday life for a More Youthful and Rested Complexion.
Suggested use: Apply daily in the evening before moisturizer.1 Fl Oz
5) Caudalié (Caudalie)
Caudalié is a leading French skincare company whose products revolve around two things that are ultimately French – beauty and wine. The company produces signature natural beauty care products with ingredients derived from the grapevine. Signature products range from body and skincare solutions, anti-ageing, masks, and fragrances. All Caudalié products are natural and organic and free from mineral oils, artificial products, and animal by-products. Our favourite product from the Caudalié line is Vino Perfect Radiance Serum.
6) Chanel
A water-light serum that delivers 24 hours of continuous moisturizing benefits.Leaves skin deeply replenished, smooth and glowing.
Can be used in the evening after cleansing the skin, or in the morning under make up, allowing your foundation to go on smoother.
7) Clarins
Clarins is a French company that produces a range of luxury skincare, fragrances and cosmetics problems. Most of their products are available through high-end department stores and pharmacies. The signature product of their brand is Clarins Double Serum. The company prides itself on the refined ability to turn pure plant oils into top-range skincare products using groundbreaking formulas. Clarins constantly revises methods to deliver quality products consistently.
8) Decléor
Decléor is a specialty French skincare products company that specializes in essential oil-based face and body products. The company sources their essential oils from across the world while ensuring that they meet strict quality assurance standards. The use of purely natural ingredients lets the company create a range of sensational products that are effective and free from allergens. Signature products include serums derived from just about any plants and herbs used in skincare.
9) Embryolisse
Embryolisse is a French skincare brand with a range of effective beauty products that are gentle on the skin. Products from this environmentally conscious manufacturer are made without animal testing and are paraben-free. All their products are free from frills and contain only essential ingredients, making them suitable for sensitive skin. Its most famous product is the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, a thick hydrating cream infused with vitamins and fatty acids.
10) Filorga
Filorga is a French company specializing in high-performance anti-ageing skincare solutions that have gained iconic status in the beauty industry. The company uses cutting-edge technology to produce superior anti-ageing products, including peelings and line fillers. Their products range from masks and night creams, to serums, and correction creams. Filorga’s signature product is Optim-Eyes eye cream. None of Filorga’s products are tested on animals, but they contain synthetic active ingredients for added efficacy.
The Meso-Mask is one of the best Filorga skincare products for all skin types. The illuminating treatment mask restores radiance to the complexion.
Apply generously. Leave on for 15 - 30 minutes, then remove using a damp cloth or pad. Repeat every week.
11) Guerlain
Founded in 1828, Guerlain is among one of the oldest skincare companies in the world. It specializes in skincare products, cosmetics, and perfumes. Guerlain uses modern technology to extract natural ingredients from plants to create a range of award-winning beauty products. Products include cleansers and make-up removers, moisturizers, body care, and anti-ageing solutions. Their most famous product is Meteorites Light Revealing Pearls of Powder.
12) Institut Esthederm Paris
Founded by a French biologist and cell specialist, Institut Esthederm Paris engages in a passionate search for youth’s elixir. Its range of products aims to offer better protection from the sun, combat photoaging, to optimize tanning, and to enhance the skin’s natural protection. The firm harnesses modern technology to fill the Esthederm philosophy, which entails using biology to improve aesthetics. Institut Esthederm Gentle Deep Pore Cleanser is one of their best-selling and most popular products among women.
13) Klorane
Klorane is a French Skincare company specializing in hair care, face care, dry shampoos, and body care products. Founded by a passionate botanist, the company aims to create innovative plant-based beauty products to improve human life. The company uses a unique approach that involves extracts from one plant to address one beauty or health concern. Klorane is an environmentally conscious company that uses recyclable and recycled packaging materials to package its eco-designed products. Their shampoos are synthesized from Cupuacu flowers, fig leaves, hibiscus, and flowers.
14) La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay is a French skincare company that manufactures a range of beauty products that include sunscreens and face and body care solutions. These products are suitable even for sensitive skin and are recommended by dermatologists worldwide. La Roche-Posay products are sold throughout France and in most French pharmacies. Their flagship products center around special thermal spring water from France. Anthelios Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen is an effective aid in the prevention of sun-induced damage to the skin.
Oil-free face moisturizer with SPF 30 protection provides all-day hydration and helps restore skin's barrier after 1 hour.
Apply moisturizer to the face and neck in the morning. Its soft, oil-free texture is easily absorbed.
15) Lancôme
Lancôme is a luxury French cosmetic and
A high-performance anti-aging face serum with advanced Genifique Technology that promote the production of youth proteins for a youthful appearance. Skin appears softer smoother plumper more luminous & even-toned
To use: Apply day & night a small amount to cleansed & toned face under moisturizer
16) Melvita
Founded by a beekeeping biologist, Melvita is a pioneer in natural and organic skin and body care products. A recipient of the ECOCERT label, it’s the largest certified organic beauty brand in all of France. Known for its Rose Floral Water, the company uses only the highest quality natural and organic ingredients in its manufacturing process. It boasts a rare ability to trace all the ingredients used in all its products – from seed to finished product.
17) Nuxe
Nuxe Laboratory is a leading player in the French beauty market. One of its flagship products, dry oil Huile prodigieuse, is ranked number one for body skincare and anti-ageing skincare. It also produces hydrating antiaging creams for all ages and skin types. The company harnesses the power of modern technology to extract active ingredients from plants. In addition to the ethical production process, the company uses eco-friendly jars, recycles waste, and uses plant-based paper and printing inks. Their products aren’t tested on animals or contain animal byproducts or plastic beads.
18) Sanoflore
Sanoflore is a French skincare company that’s part of the L’Oréal group. It’s a pioneer in organic cosmetics and is renowned for offering women natural alternatives to artificial skincare solutions. All its products contain active ingredients that are sourced from wild plateaus to ensure purity. The flagship product is Sanoflore Aqua Magnifica.
19) Thalgo La Beaute Marine
Thalgo La Beaute Marine produces a broad range of marine products for the beauty and spa industry. The company harnesses aquatic treasures, including minerals and trace elements, and synthesizes them into topline skincare products. Each active ingredient is subjected to a stringent manufacturing process to make them safe for use even on sensitive skin. All their products are natural and contain no mineral oils, parabens, or propylene glycol. Flagship products include night and soothing creams, cleansing milk, and lotions. Thalgo Hydra-Marine 24h Cream will make your skin clearer and brighter.
20) Vichy
Vichy is a premium body care, skincare, anti-ageing, and make-up brand owned by L’Oréal. Vichy is the leading skincare brand in the European market and is renowned for its range of Dermafinish concealers and foundations. The company uses thermal spa water from hot springs in Vichy, hence its signature name.
21) Yves Rocher
Yves Rocher is a global beauty and cosmetic brand with a presence on five continents. The company delivers face care and beauty solution for every skin type. The company uses its more than 60 years’ experience to create premium products infused with active natural ingredients. A stringent production process lets the company deliver an excellent skincare line for both men and women. Flagship lines include anti-ageing creams, cleansing gels and milk, make-up removers, and anti-wrinkle creams. Yves Rocher Serum Vegetal Wrinkles & Firmness is one of their top-rated products.
22) EviDenS de Beauté
This high-end French skincare brand combines the Japanese art of beauty & French art de vivre. They use cutting-edge Japanese cosmetic expertise and the traditional beauty secrets of Japanese women with the refinement of French elegance and skincare techniques. They are most well known for their anti-aging skincare products.
