5 French skin care brands you need to know about

French beauty is known for it's minimalist approach, think a striking red lip and 'I woke up like this' hair. But before a striking makeup look comes high-quality skin care. Here are a few of France's best kept secrets in skin care. Say hello to hard working and luxurious formulas, the French will have your skin glowing in no time.
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Avene
Formulated with Avene's famous thermal spring water, this French beauty brand is known for it's soothing and anti-irritating properties (perfect for sensitive skin). With cult-products such as the Thermal Spring Water Spray and anti-ageing hero Physiolift, it's no wonder it's a staple brand for beauty buffs all over the world.
bh loves: Avene Day Protector Tinted
Bioderma
With a strong dermatological history, Bioderma products work to imitate the skin's natural function in order to restore a healthy balance. In typical French style, the brand has a minimalist attitude, only including ingredients it believes are 'strictly necessary'.
bh loves: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
La Roche-Posay
Utilizing the benefits of spring water and specifically formulating products for sensitive skin - La Roche-Posay is known for it's broad range of products, combatting skin issues from eczema to rosacea to allergies. The brand is most well-known for the cult sunscreen Anthelios Ultra Cream SPF50+, which is not only super light weight and hydrating, making it perfect for wear under makeup, but it also protects from UVA, UVB rays and free radicals. However, the brand's latest serum launch is fast on it's way to cult status in our books.
bh loves: La Roche-Posay HyaluB5 Serum
Caudalie
Hailing from Bordeaux, Caudalie is one of France's best kept skin care secrets. Being founded on a vineyard, the brand utilises naturally derived resveratrol (which can be found in the grapevine) to protect the skin from environmental stressors, while smoothing fine lines and improving skin tone.
bh loves: Caudalie Beauty Elixir ($24, sephora.com.au)
Embryolisse
With a huge focus on simplicity; a combination of plant extracts, essential fatty acids and vitamins work to combat ageing while gently nourishing skin. The brand's cult-moisturiser is famous for it's many uses - try it out as a mask, on legs as a post-shave balm or on other parts of the body for a little extra nourishment.
bh loves: Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre ($35, embryolisse.com.au)
Main image credit @harperandharley
Have you tried any of these products? What are your favourite French skin care brands?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
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39 Member Comments
I tried Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre a long time ago but I can't remember if I liked it or not. All I know is that lots of makeup artists use it as a base for makeup.
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I try to buy Australian, but you've got to hand it to the French - they do great skincare! La Roche-Posay is amazing!
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I love the Avene water spray, so refreshing :)
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Caudalie is very well priced too
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Can't get into french skin care... Just not for me...
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I only tried La Roche-Posay sunscreen.Great product with spf.
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I love the Avene mists, so useful during summer
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La Roche-Posay have a great cream for Rosacia which give good relief from the condition and I wouldn’t be without it.
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I used Avene , LRP and Bioderma , they have great quality products.
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I've only tried Bioderma's micellar water and it isn't bad.
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I didn't know some of these were French and I haven't heard of the last two before
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Avene is great and a good price point too
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La Roche-Posay I like one of their sun screen
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Ive tried the small sample bottles of Bioderma Micellar Water. Its something that I will happily purchase now that the price has come down a lot.
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Not tried any. Currently using some Gatineau products which I buy at a good price when it goes on special online.( though most of the range is too expensive for me). I’m really happy with it. Have tried Payot; Vichy and Matis previously, not wowed by those.
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These are some great brands!
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Avene is fabulous! Had no idea it was French, LOL! The more you know. The others sound interesting, too!
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Great article, I haven't tried any of these product's maybe one day I will.
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Both Avene and LRP I think average. I've only tried micellar from bioderma which is my favourite micellar. My friend swears by embryolisse, but I found the name to be offputting as it starts with Embryo... makes me think of placenta that line of stuff.
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I have used la Roach products for years now. I love there serum and sunscreen. The sunscreen is a good handbag size and is not sticky.
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I haven't used any of these brands before, but Caudalie sounds amazing.
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I think LRP is the only brand that I would try again. The rest is so so.
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I have used Avene and Bioderma but not any of the others. Both Avene and Bioderma make great products.
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Haven't tried any of these brands yet.
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