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French pharmacy beauty and hair care, explained
The brands sold in every pharmacie in France — dermatologist-grade skincare and hair care at drugstore prices. Here is what each brand is actually known for, the one or two products worth starting with, and what to check before you buy online.
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LLa Roche-Posay
Thermal-spring-water skincare developed with dermatologists. The go-to for sensitive, acne-prone and sun-exposed skin.
Where to start:
US Anthelios formulas differ from the EU ones because of FDA filter rules. If a listing promises the EU 'Mexoryl 400' version, check that the seller ships from Europe.
AAvène
Built around Avène thermal spring water from the Cévennes. Ultra-gentle lines for reactive, redness-prone and post-procedure skin.
Where to start:
The spray comes in three sizes; the 300 ml can is the best value per ounce and the 50 ml is the one for travel and gym bags.
CCaudalie
Grape-based skincare from Bordeaux wine country — antioxidant serums, the famous Beauty Elixir, and clean formulas without parabens or mineral oil.
Where to start:
Vinoperfect is the brand's bestseller for dark spots; pair it with a daily SPF or the spots come back.
BBioderma
Inventor of micellar water. Sensibio H2O is the single most-recommended makeup remover in France, and the Atoderm and Photoderm lines cover dry skin and sun care.
Where to start:
Buy the 500 ml bottle with the pump; the small bottles cost nearly double per ounce. Counterfeits exist — stick to listings sold or fulfilled by Amazon.
KKlorane
Plant-based hair care from the Pierre Fabre pharmacy group. Famous for dry shampoo with oat milk and botanical shampoos for every hair concern.
Where to start:
- Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
- Oat Milk gentle shampoo
- Quinine & Edelweiss strengthening shampoo
- Peony soothing shampoo for sensitive scalps
From a hairstylist's chair: Klorane's dry shampoo brushes out cleaner than most American ones and has no heavy fragrance, which is why it has been a backstage staple for decades.
PPhyto
Paris hair care built on botanical extracts since 1969, sold in pharmacies and salons. Phytojoba, Phytokératine and the Phytocyane line for thinning hair are the ones people ask for by name.
Where to start:
- Phytojoba moisturizing shampoo
- Phytokératine repairing mask
- Phytocyane densifying treatment
- Phytodéfrisant smoothing balm
Phyto's shampoos are low-foam by design; use half what you would with an American shampoo and work it through with water.
RRené Furterer
Scalp-first hair care from a Paris hairstylist, now part of Pierre Fabre. Complexe 5 is the pre-shampoo essential-oil scalp treatment stylists have recommended for sixty years.
Where to start:
- Complexe 5 scalp concentrate
- Karité Nutri intense mask
- Triphasic strengthening treatment
- Naturia dry shampoo
Complexe 5 goes on a dry scalp before shampooing, not after. Five minutes once a week is enough; it is strong.