I Just Returned from Paris—Here Are 9 Face Creams That Provide French Women with Their Radiance

      Amidst the current buzz surrounding extensive 20-step skincare routines and those lazy days when I prefer to keep my face routine minimal, a moisturizer has consistently been part of my daily practice for as long as I can recall. Given my struggles with eczema and very dry skin, I can’t really skip face creams, but I also genuinely enjoy using this hydrating product on my skin. I’m fortunate that my job in the beauty industry allows me to sample a variety of skincare products each week before deciding which ones I'd genuinely want to invest in. And here’s a little secret: the best face creams I’ve encountered all originate from one source—the French Pharmacy.

      French pharmacies are adored by editors, dermatologists, and beauty lovers alike, offering a wide selection of affordable yet effective beauty essentials that are often hard to find in typical British chemists. Every time I find myself in Paris, I make it a point to stock up on several products to test before making my purchasing decisions. Trust me when I say that the high-quality French formulations I’ve tried are well worth the investment. Luckily for you, I’ve compiled a list of the finest selections below. From ultra-rich creams ideal for dry, dehydrated skin to water-based gels that eliminate excess oil without clogging pores, keep scrolling to discover the nine top French pharmacy creams, curated by a beauty writer.

      **The Best French Pharmacy Face Creams**

      - **Best Overall:** Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Moisturiser, £22

      - **Best for Dry Skin:** Nuxe Crème Fraiche De Beauté Rich Cream, £28

      - **Best for Oily Skin:** Avène Cleanance Mattifying Aqua-Gel, £23

      - **Best for Mature Skin:** Caudalie Premier Cru the Rich Cream, £85

      - **Best for Sensitive Skin:** La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Repairing Balm, £20

      1. **Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Multi-Purpose Moisturiser**

       **Best Overall**

       - *Key Ingredients:* Shea butter, aloe vera, hydrolysed soy protein, mineral oil

       - *Texture:* Rich cream

       - *Fragrance Free?* No

       **Pros:** Hydrating formula with added skincare benefits; product can be used in multiple ways.

       **Cons:** Tube packaging can be messy and dispense too much product.

       Loved by editors, makeup artists, and TikTok stars, Embryolisse’s Lait-Crème Concentré has long been a pharmacy favorite. This versatile 3-in-1 product serves as a classic moisturizer, makeup primer, or gentle cleanser, utilizing shea butter, aloe vera, hydrolysed soy protein, and mineral oil to nourish and soften the skin extensively. While it provides an excellent hydration boost for those with dry skin, it can also be beneficial for combination or oilier skin when applied to specific areas.

      2. **Nuxe Crème Fraiche de Beauté Moisturising Rich Cream**

       **Best for Dry Skin**

       - *Key Ingredients:* Sweet almond plant milk, red seaweed extract, shea butter, moringa butter

       - *Texture:* Buttery, melting-balm

       - *Fragrance Free?* No

       **Pros:** Deeply nourishing formula.

       **Cons:** May be too rich for oily skin.

       For those with extremely dry and dehydrated skin like mine, I highly recommend Nuxe’s Crème Fraîche de Beauté. This thick cream, which blends sweet almond plant milk, red seaweed extract, shea butter, and moringa butter, leaves the skin looking plump and glowy throughout the day. It's especially helpful in winter, keeping my makeup from appearing dry and patchy. I love it so much that I often apply it to large areas of my body on days my skin needs extra hydration.

      3. **Avène Cleanance Mattifying Aqua-Gel**

       **Best for Oily Skin**

       - *Key Ingredients:* Monolaurin, niacinamide, lentil seed extract, Avène thermal spring water

       - *Texture:* Water-like gel

       - *Fragrance Free?* No

       **Pros:** Oil-control finish ideal for oily skin.

       **Cons:** May be too drying for dehydrated or sensitive skin.

       For those with oily skin, I recommend trying Avène’s Cleanance Mattifying Aqua-Gel. Its cooling gel formula reduces shine by up to 50%, making it perfect for acne-prone skin. The water-gel texture absorbs quickly without feeling heavy, providing hydration without clogging pores. As someone with dry skin, I would likely only reach for this on extremely hot days; however, I’m confident that those with oily or combination skin will love this formulation.

      4. **Caudalie Premier Cru the Rich Cream**