Here are the best French pharmacy brands you definitely need to know about! In France, pharmacies offer high-quality and efficacious skincare, makeup, and hair care products, at a very acceptable price point.
French pharmacy brands are renowned for their no-nonsense approach to beauty. Indeed, these brands create products with powerful formulas backed up by years of research to target different skin concerns, including acne, aging, dehydration, itchiness, redness, and eczema. Many of these brands like Avène and La Roche-Posay are prescribed and recommended by dermatologists worldwide! That’s why French pharmacy brands are so popular in France.
So whether you’re just beginning your journey into the realm of French pharmacy products or you’re just looking for something new, below is my round-up of the best in French pharmacy brands.
Avène
Avène is probably one of the most popular French pharmacy skincare brands! Originating from the South of France, Avène is a skincare line designed to care for sensitive skin by unlocking the power of thermal spring water —a pure rain mixed with sea-spray rich in mineral salts from the Cévennes Mountains in Avène. Focused on transformative soothing and efficacy healing, all Avène’s products are backed by science, and they’re clinically proven to target several skin concerns, including acne, aging, dehydration, itchiness, redness, and eczema.
Best Avène Skincare Products
Bioderma
I’m sure you probably have heard of Bioderma, especially through their cult-favorite makeup remover: Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water. This iconic French skincare brand has been making groundbreaking products since 1977. The brand’s expert knowledge of the skin’s natural mechanisms has led to the creation of some of the most sought-after skincare items on the market. And no matter if you have oily, dry, or sensitive skin, Bioderma’s eclectic range of products is formulated specifically to care for each skin type so that your skin’s unique needs are taken care of.
Best Bioderma Skincare Product
Biotherm
In the 1950s, the French doctor Jos Jullien discovered mineral thermal spring waters under Pyrenees mountain in the southern part of France which contained thermal plankton, supposedly a key to healthy skin and potent skin rejuvenation. With Jeanine Marissal, he worked on the potential of this substance that could be integrated into a cosmetic formula. Today, Life Plankton™ probiotic fraction is at the heart of every Biotherm product.
Best Biotherm Skincare Products
Caudalie
Caudalie was born in the vineyards of Bordeaux in 1995, where founders Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas discovered and patented grape seeds, the most powerful antioxidants in nature. Pioneer of clean and natural skincare, the brand develops highly effective formulas backed by innovative patents, always formulated with over 95% natural ingredients, free of harmful and skin-irritating ingredients.
Best Caudalie Skincare Products
Darphin
Darphin was founded in 1958 by Pierre Darphin, a master botanist with a lifelong dedication to the pursuit of scientifically-proven botanical efficacy. His research began in the Darphin Skin Institute in Paris and focused on the preservation of skin health through the precise release of potent botanical actives. Today, Darphin offers high-performing botanical-based skincare solutions.
Best Darphin Skincare Products
Embryolisse
The Laboratoires Embryolisse has developed real expertise in dermo-cosmetic care. And this French pharmacy skincare brand has the unique particularity of being approved by dermatologists, as well as chemists and make-up professionals. Featuring botanical extracts of shea butter, plant oils, and vitamins, each formula is designed to strengthen and support the skin’s natural reparative and protective functions.
Best Embryolisse Skincare Product
Erborian
Erborian is a Korean-French brand founded in 2007 that combines innovative K-Beauty with French luxury to create skincare products filled with natural ingredients. Fan-favorite Erborian products include the BB Crème, CC Crème, and Double Cleanser which are designed to help you get that perfect “no-makeup” makeup look.
Best Erborian Makeup Products
Esthederm
Institut Esthederm was created in 1978 by Jean-Noël Thorel, a French pharmacist and biologist specializing in cellular technologies. In a bid to provide the most innovative cosmetic solutions for the treatment of skin aging, Institut Esthederm has focused its research on major areas such as hydration, dermal stimulation, sun protection, and hyperpigmentation.
Best Esthederm Skincare Products
Filorga
Founded in 1978, Filorga became an internationally recognized brand through its line of hyaluronic acid-based injectables. Now, the French skincare line leads the market with anti-aging solutions. Inspired by non-surgical, anti-aging solutions, each product in the line provides exceptional results proven by clinical tests.
Best Filorga Skincare Product
Gallinée
Galinée was created in 2014 by Marie, a French Doctor in Pharmacy with 15 years of experience and who has worked for innovative skincare brands. After discovering how a prebiotic and probiotic diet could improve her symptoms of gluten intolerance, Marie had a Eureka moment: What if we applied the same science to skin? She wrote a thesis on the benefits of harnessing good bacteria and then she created Gallinée.
Best Gallinée Skincare Products
Klorane
Created in 1965, Klorane Laboratories was one of the first companies to offer herbal shampoos and hair care products as an alternative to the harsher, more damaging products on the market. Whether your hair and scalp are dry and uncomfortable, fine and oily, or easily irritated, Klorane offers shampoos, conditioners, and treatments to repair your scalp and hair and maintain its newfound health. It’s definitely one of my favorite French shampoo brands!
Best Klorane Haircare Products
La Roche-Posay
Created by a pharmacist in 1975, this French pharmacy brand is now recommended by dermatologists worldwide! La Roche-Posay offers a unique range of daily skincare formulated with its exclusive Selenium-rich water, also used at its Thermal Center, due to its antioxidant and soothing properties.
Best La Roche-Posay Skincare Products
- Cicaplast Baume B5
- Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment
- Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 60
- Redermic R Retinol Cream
Leonor Greyl
Leonor Greyl is a botanical-infused hair care line formulated to deliver salon-quality results. The brand was created by Leonor Greyl and her husband, Jean-Marie in 1968. Each shampoo, conditioner, and styling product features deeply nourishing, reparative ingredients like wheat and silk proteins, jojoba oil, and keratin. One of my favorite French pharmacy haircare brands!
Best Leonor Greyl Haircare Products
- L’Huile de Leonor Greyl
- Sérum de Soie Sublimateur Nourishing Hair Serum
- Crème Moelle de Bambou Nourishing Shampoo
Lierac
Founded in 1975 by a cosmetic physician, the first product produced was made exclusively from plant extracts and was an instant sensation. Lierac quickly became the No. 1 French dermo-cosmetic brand (dermatology-based cosmetic) specialized in the correction of skin aging but also of skin disorders left untreated. Over time, Lierac has developed products targeted toward solving common skincare issues, most notably aging skin, acne-prone skin, and skin that struggles with redness and blemishes.
Best Lierac Skincare Products
Mustela
Mustela was created in 1950 by Paul Berthomé who partnered with pharmacist Claude Guillon to create the very first baby cleansing milk. 70 years after its creation, Mustela (B Corp certified) manufactures one of the best range of clean and gentle skincare products using natural ingredients for newborns, and for the whole family.
Best Mustela Skincare Products
Nuxe
Nuxe is a French brand founded by Aliza Jabès and a pioneer in natural-origin cosmetology. Each skin care product is formulated and manufactured in France to meet pharmaceutical quality requirements and combines the marvels of nature with the prowess of science while awakening the senses.
In 1991, Aliza Jabès created the legendary Huile Prodigieuse® which has become an iconic beauty product and the leading oil available in pharmacies. Nuxe is the best French pharmacy brand if you’re looking for natural origin and ultra-effective care products, enhanced with a real touch of sensuality.
Best Nuxe Skincare Products
- Huile Prodigieuse®
- Ultra-nourishing Lip Balm, Rêve de Miel
- Super Serum [10], The universal anti-aging concentrate
Phyto
Phyto was founded by Parisian hairdresser Patrick Alès back in the 1950s. Patrick Alès studied plants and their powerful properties, and in 1965 he introduced Phyto to the world in his salon on the Champs Élysées, which has seen clients such as Brigitte Bardot and Jackie Kennedy. The brand uses high concentrations of plant extracts in its formulas resulting in products that are 95% natural.
Best Phyto Haircare Products
René Furterer
In 1957, René Furterer opened the first spa for hair in Paris, using what he learned about natural ingredients and essential oils early in life. He realized right away that healthy, radiant hair comes from within, from a healthy scalp. René Furterer combines the best of nature with pharmaceutical expertise for innovative, safe, effective products built on the principles of scientific precision, ethics, and dedication to innovation in health and beauty.
Best René Furterer Haircare Products
RoC
RoC has been revolutionizing skincare since 1957 when Dr. Jean-Charles Lissarrague, a French pharmacist at the Rogé Cavaillès pharmacy, created the first hypoallergenic skincare formulations. Dr. Lissarrague was the first to create an SPF sunscreen to proactively prevent signs of aging and the first to discover a method for stabilizing retinol. By combining retinol with other ingredients like Vitamin E and using innovative packaging, RoC made it possible for daily use. Today, retinol is still one of the greatest anti-aging discoveries in the history of skincare.
Best RoC Skincare Products
- Deep Wrinkle Retinol Patches
- Face & Neck Anti-Aging Moisturizer Firming Cream for Crepey Skin
- Retinol Capsules Anti-Aging Night Retinol Face Serum Treatment
Rogé Cavaillès
The Rogé Cavaillès pharmacy opened in 1855, named after its owners Mr. Rogé and Mr. Prosper Cavaillès. It can still be found at 116 Boulevard Haussmann in Paris, its original location. In 1905, Rogé Cavaillès launched the first “surgras” soap. Since then, Rogé Cavaillès has grown famous for its delicate products with its specific hypoallergenic formulas rich in “surgras”, ideal for sensitive skin. The brands’ formulas are based on rigorous clinical, gynecological, and dermatological tests.
Best Rogé Cavaillès Skincare Products
Roger & Gallet
In 1862, Armand Roger and Charles Gallet, both partners and brothers-in-law, entrepreneurs and visionaries, decided to create Roger & Gallet in the heart of the City of Light, Paris. The brand signature is “Avant-Garde Tradition” and nature is at the heart of each product, which contains up to 95% ingredients of natural origin. Roger & Gallet is one of my favorite French pharmacy brands!
Best Roger & Gallet Skincare Products
- Fig Blossom Fragrant Wellbeing Water Spray
- Green Tea Fragrant Wellbeing Water Spray
- Orange Wood Perfumed Soap
Sanoflore
Sanoflore was created in 1986 by Rodolphe Balz in Gigors-et-Lozeron, a commune in the Drôme department in southeastern France. The French skincare brand offers certified natural cosmetics for all skin types. All the products are approved by ECOCERT, and several of the formulas are vegan. With more than 30 years of experience in the production of aromatic raw materials and their distillation, Sanoflore is a leading provider of scientific aromatherapy.
Best Sanoflore Skincare Products
SVR
SVR Laboratoire Dermatologique is a French brand created in 1962 by a couple of visionary pharmacists, Simone and Robert Véret. They both believed that it was possible to formulate skincare products with extremely high concentrations of active ingredients without affecting skin tolerance. As a result, they launched a world-recognized skincare brand with unrivaled effectiveness and tolerance.
Best SVR Skincare Products
- Topialyse Moisturising Face + Body Cream for Dry, Sensitive + Eczema-Prone Skin
- C20 Biotics Cream 20% Vitamin C
Uriage
Founded in 1992, Uriage skincare is built around Thermal Water sourced from the Alps. For more than 75 years, the Uriage Thermal Water has flowed through the Alps rocks, enriching itself with trace elements and minerals that soothe and moisturize the skin while reinforcing its natural barrier. The remarkable formula of Uriage skincare products addresses a wide range of skin concerns such as dryness, irritation, redness, sensitivity, and premature aging.
Best Uriage Skincare Products
Vichy
Vichy Laboratoires was founded in 1931 by Dr. Haller, the first medical practitioner to lay the foundations of French dermo-cosmetics. Since then, Vichy has been a brand grounded in science, recommended by dermatologists, with dermatological expertise that has been committed to one mission: the quest for skin health. At the core of every formulation is the 15 mineral-rich Vichy Volcanic Water, naturally sourced from French volcanoes and clinically proven to strengthen and protect the skin.
Best Vichy Skincare Products
- Minéral 89
- LiftActiv B3 Serum Dark Spots & Wrinkles
- LiftActiv Supreme H.A. Wrinkle Corrector
- LiftActiv Vitamin C Serum
Et voilà! I hope this ultimate guide to the best French pharmacy brands will inspire you! If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below.
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