While the Paris Olympics are in full swing, French pharmacies undoubtedly win the gold for skin care. From elevated drugstore finds to ultra-luxe European staples, the secret to effortless French beauty lies within those aisles. When top skin-care experts travel abroad, they always fly home with a haul. Here are the top picks from dermatologists for the best in French pharmacy skin care. Make sure to add these top contenders to your beauty routine while enjoying the excitement of the Games.
Biafane Emulsion Cream ($25)
"I love the French staple Biafine Emulsion Cream. It heals wounds and burns through its anti-inflammatory action."
—Washington D.C. dermatologist Tina Alster, MD
ialuset Hyaluronic Acid Cream ($36)
"Ialuset Hyaluronic Acid Cream is a top tier French pharmacy product that can be used on dry, dehydrated skin yielding fresh, dewy skin. It can also be combined with Biafine to really expedite wound healing."
—Fort Lauderdale, FL dermatologist Dr. Matthew Elias
Dermophil Indien Solar Lip Balm SPF50 ($15)
"I'm a big fan of Dermophil Indien Solar Lip Balm SPF50 and always have one handy when skiing."
—New York dermatologist Julie Russak, MD
Yon-Ka Vitamin C Serum C20 ($168)
"Yon-Ka is a professional-grade, plant-based skin-care line made in France. This Vitamin C Serum C20 is one of their most recent launches and what makes it unique is that because it’s an oil-based formula, it won’t oxidize or darken over time like typical vitamin C products."
—Omaha, NE dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, MD
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Invisible Fluid 50+ Sunscreen ($22)
"When I go to Paris, one of the first things I do is head to the pharmacy and stock up on sunscreen products that are not available here. They don't go through the same FDA approval process as we do in the U.S. and they have sunscreen filters that offer broader protection than we do, especially against UVA. La Roche Posay has the Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Invisible Fluid 50+ Sunscreen that is excellent."
—New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD
Filgora NCEF Reverse ($118)
"Filorga NCEF Reverse is a super nutrient rich poly-revitalizing complex with countless actives and peptides. It is perfect to nourish in climate changes, all types of arid weather, attitude and the general dehydration of planes, trains and automobiles."
—Beverly Hills, CA dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD
Vichy MINERAL 89 ($30)
"I love, love, love Vichy MINÉRAL 89 hyaluronic acid serum. It's lightweight, absorbs quickly, and plays well with other skin-care products and makeup. Some serums are sticky or slimy but the Vichy 89 feels just right."
—New York dermatologist Elaine Kung, MD
Caudalie Premier Cru ($129)
"One of my absolute favorite French skin-care lines is Caudalie. This luxury line is derived from byproducts of grapes crushed to make wine and contains potent anti-aging antioxidants such as polyphenol and resveratrol. I had the opportunity to meet the founder of Caudalie, Mathilde, who says years ago she was approached by a French chemist that pointed out that grapes were loaded with powerful antioxidants that could be used to improve the health and appearance of the skin. He was correct, and now 25 years later Caudalie has a variety of excellent skin-care products, like Premier Cru, that I personally incorporate into my skin-care routine."
—Southlake, TX and Monroe, LA dermatologist Janine Hopkins, MD
Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing ($36)
"I have been a big fan of Avène products for years now and am especially fond of their Xeracalm line for my eczema patients. XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream has been transformative as preventative maintenance for my atopic patients and has been a game-changer for my pediatric patients, not only for its gentle formulation, but also for the incorporation of their unique therapeutic thermal spring waters."
—Bloomfield Hills, MI dermatologist Linda Honet, MD
Avène Mineral Tinted Compact SPF50 ($42)
"My favorite is the Haute protection compact sunblock by Avène. It provides great sun protection, and it blends well with most skin types."
—Miami dermatologist Dr. Deborah Longwill
Caudalie Invisible High Protection Spray SPF50 ($41)
"France is unique because it has pharmacies that focus only on sunscreen. Many of us in the U.S. are familiar with La-Roche-Posay sunscreen, but Avene and Caudalie have excellent options with spray-on lotion and other great vehicles" —New York dermatologist Orit Markowitz, MD
