11 French Beauty Brands Dermstore Editors Are Obsessed With (And Why)

No one else does romance like the French, and with the month of love upon us, we can’t help but imagine ourselves transported to the City of Lights. While French men have long gained the reputation of being true romantics, French women are also revered for their au naturel looks and minimalist approach to beauty.

French women live by the philosophy of staying true to yourself. Rather than scramble to cover imperfections, they enhance what makes them naturally beautiful. That’s why instead of resorting to aggressive measures to fight aging or layering products to hide flaws, French women would rather take a preventative approach to skin care, with young girls often inheriting beauty tips from their mothers. To them, skin care is not only a beauty routine—it’s ingrained in their lifestyle and an important factor in what they eat, drink and do.

Going beyond cleansing, toning and moisturizing, French women follow a meticulous beauty regimen to achieve the “effortless beauty” they are known for. Most important in that routine is keeping the skin hydrated by drinking lots of water and taking it a step further by spritzing thermal spring water and using it to cleanse, calm and nourish the skin to avoid the drying effect of tap water. They are also big lovers of face masks, making it a point to pamper their skin at least once a week.

Exfoliation is also key in keeping skin radiant and young-looking, and the French do it the gentler way with gommage, a cream or paste—formulated with enzymes that extract dead skin cells—applied to the face and body and allowed to dry before it’s gently massaged off, giving skin the benefits of exfoliation without the rough feeling of regular exfoliants. When it comes to makeup, French women prefer a dewy and no-fuss look, often skipping thick foundation and taking extra care to minimize blemishes and sun damage by religiously applying sunscreen and choosing skin care products with the right SPF even during the cold months.

Ready to embrace the French gal’s beauty philosophy? Here’s a list of the top beauty brands that will help you achieve that certain je ne sais quoi of a true femme française!

2. Avene Antirougeurs Calm Soothing Repair Mask (1.69 fl. oz.)

Avene Antirougeurs Calm Soothing Repair Mask (1.69 fl. oz.)

35 reviews

RRP: $37.00Current price: $25.90

COMING SOON

Developed after centuries of research by the historical Avène Hydrotherapy Center (built in 1743), Avène’s Eau Thermale skin care line is formulated with water drawn from the famed Sainte Odile spring. Infused with the therapeutic properties of its thermal water—officially recognized by the French Academy of Medicine in 1874—Avène’s products boast of skin rejuvenating and soothing formulations.

4. By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Care (10 g.)

By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Care (10 g.)

138 reviews

$60.00

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Following founder Terry de Gunzburg’s vision of providing beauty solutions for all women, whether skin care novices or beauty gurus, BY TERRY’s skin care range offers innovative, high-performing products that are simple and easy-to-use at the same time.

5. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Gentle Lotion Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 (Various Sizes)

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Gentle Lotion Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 (Various Sizes)

La Roche-Posay Gift

11 reviews

$31.99

120ml/4 fl.oz

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With its clinically tested formulas, highly concentrated ingredients and healing, antioxidant-rich thermal spring water, La Roche-Posay’s skin care products have become the top choice of dermatologists worldwide when it comes to skin care and treatment. Its range of products is clinically proven to have high efficacy yet gentle and safe enough for daily use.

7. René Furterer VOLUMEA Volumizing Foam (6.8 oz.)

René Furterer VOLUMEA Volumizing Foam (6.8 oz.)

12 reviews

$35.00

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Joining the dots between a healthy scalp and healthy hair, Provence-born René Furterer worked as a hairdresser in Paris, developing a line of hair care products to repair the damage of dyes and heat styling synonymous with the 50s (and beyond). Today, René’s vision for plant based products infused with precious essential oils still stands today - a Parisian woman’s worst kept secret.

8. KLORANE Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk - Non-Aerosol (1.7 oz.)

KLORANE Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk - Non-Aerosol (1.7 oz.)

49 reviews

$24.00

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One of the pioneering brands who introduced herbal hair care products in the market, Klorane is dedicated to developing nature-based, highly effective yet safe and gentle formulas that nourish all hair types and repair damage.

11. Guinot Creme Hydra Beaute (1.7 oz.)

Guinot Creme Hydra Beaute (1.7 oz.)

9 reviews

$58.00

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A staple in many of the top salons around the world, including its own, Guinot skin care products are lauded for their nourishing, reparative benefits available for all skin conditions, types and ages.