I’m not going to lie – for some the lure of a life in France is the food, wine, quality of life, weather, culture…. for me, it’s the skincare. Now I know you can get a lot of great French skincare brands in the UK now, but there are so many smaller brands that you can’t get here yet and often the range of products is much wider – plus they’re usually cheaper (do I sound like I’m justifying my addiction much?!).
Now, new readers, you’re going to have to humour me. I was a beauty editor in a previous life and my obsession with all things skincare is REAL. I will never apologise for wanging on about all things skin-related, so if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, scroll on by.
For those who do want the low-down on my summer skincare favs (*waves gratefully*), here they are:
Toleriane dermo-cleanser, La Roche Posay
This milky cleanser is super gentle and hydrating. It’s the cleanser I turn to when I want something that’s going to give a little TLC to my dry, summer skin. The whole Toleraine range is designed for super sensitive, allergy prone skin and whilst I don’t typically fall into that category, I like knowing that it is cleansing AND soothing my skin. I massage a pump or two into dry skin and it wipe off the excess. It’s gentle enough to use on eye make-up too.
Eau Micellaire, various
I have a long-standing Bioderma Micellaire water addiction from way back when it was something of a Beauty Editor secret and we’d seek it out in Parisian pharmacies – even now that it’s available in good ol’ Boots, it hasn’t lost its charm. I now however pick up whichever brand I see at the Supermarche. Weirdly it’s not a product I use all year round but again, come summer I love it for my ‘second cleanse’ to ensure I’ve removed every trace of make-up without stripping my skin.
Eau Thermale, Avene
Another season obsession – thermal water. Yes it’s water in a can. Yes my husband eyerolls dramatically that I spend 6€ on it but I suffer massively with prickly heat rash on my neck (attractive, non?) and this saves me, every time. I spritz it under my day cream for an added hit of hydration, hose the boys down with it when they’re overheating at the beach… honestly, so much more than water in a can.
Hydraphase range, La Roche Posay
I use the Hydraphase range all year round, switching from the rich day cream to the ‘light’ version come summer. I prefer to use a good hydrating day cream and then add treatment serums/shots (see below) – depending on what my skin needs and this is perfect. It has a broad spectrum
Mixa body lotion (I can’t find this one in the UK but Mixa is available at Superdrug and Boots)
Come summer I switch up my everyday Mixa body lotion to the ‘intensif’ version – it stops my itchy dry skin and scaly shins in their tracks. You know those lotions that are just a brilliant staple – no overpowering perfumes or too greasy – just easy to slather on and do the job of making you slightly less reptilian. This is exactly that. Mixa is now stocked in Superdrug and Boots, but I can’t find this version, if you spot it, grab it.
Mixa Bio day cream
I don’t think the Mixa organic range (Bio in French) has reached our shores yet, but I was intrigued to try this when I spotted it at the supermarche last month as it was under 10€ for an ‘anti wrinkle and firming organic face cream’. It doesn’t have an SPF in it, so I have actually been using it at night and it’s *okay* but probably just okay.
Diadermine Lift+ Boosters – Vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid
Now these on the other hand are SERIOUS exciting. I only bought them last week but I love them and it’s a complete new brand to me, which makes me 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽
They are basically targeted treatment shots to add under your day/night cream – I normally use The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid daily for hydration and Vitamin C for brightening and glow – but I thought at 5-6€ these were worth a go – I’ll let you know how they compare.
I could carry on for another 1000 words (this serum has blown me away, and this balm is my bedside staple) but I will stop there – maybe I’ll do an autumn update if you fancy it?
Soooo, needless to say I am ALL EARS to hear your foreign skincare favs – let me know below!