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French women’s biggest beauty secret? Their pharmacies.
Every community has one and in it will be a pharmacist who has had six years’ training and often a préparateur who has had three. They are the first port of call, before a doctor, for everything health related, from their children’s earache to their mother’s bad back to, yes, their own beauty and wellbeing needs.
Different to us then. When we have a skin concern we will schlep around a big pharmacy chain staring at the heaving shelves trying to decipher what would be best for the spots around our chin or the dryness around our eyes. The choice is generally overwhelming and if you pluck up the courage to speak to a sales assistant, you’ll a) most likely not be able to find one and b) if you locate them you’ll realise they know even less than you.
In Britain, the pharmacy tends to be a tiny part of such stores and you feel you can only bother them with serious medical concerns.
Dr Marine Vincent thinks this is a shame. Marine is a French doctor of pharmacy, founder of The French Pharmacy in London’s Marylebone and author of The French Skincare Bible (out April 23). She has lived in the UK for decades and has spent years working with French pharmacy brands and listening to customers’ skin concerns. All of this gives her the inside track on products that really work.
Dr Marine says that French women have a better chance of great skin because of both their access to pharmacists and their culture.
Focusing on the former, she gives the example of a French mother bringing a teenager with mild acne to the pharmacist. ‘They can then advise on good products (Marine favours dermo-cosmetic brands such as Avène, La Roche Posay and Bioderma), maybe suggesting a product with salicylic acid that will regulate sebum.
‘Starting early with good habits and good formulas mean that French women have a head start. In the UK it’s harder to get access to a trained pharmacist and also to your GP, so the other option is £250 for a private dermatologist appointment which not many can afford.’
Dr Marine Vincent founded The French Pharmacy in London’s Marylebone. She laments the fact that good pharmacies are harder to find in Britain
French culture also fosters good skin. ‘We are focused on prevention and health, not the latest trend. In the UK there is a lot of “more is more”. Women think “if this exfoliator works, I’m going to use it three times a week rather than the recommended once”.
‘But we know that’s going to compromise the skin barrier and lead to problems. French women know consistency is key, as are healthy eating habits. I advise keeping it simple – cleanser, serum, cream, SPF and remembering there is no miracle. If there was, we’d all be using it.’
Sound advice indeed.
Dr Marine’s top ten French pharmacy buys…
Best for decongesting skin: Gallinée Face Vinegar, £25 at www.lookfantastic.com
This is where modern dermatology meets French pharmacy heritage. It gently exfoliates impurities and regulates the sebum which causes breakouts, without compromising the skin’s delicate microbiome.
Best for hormonal or combination skin: La Roche-Posay Serozinc Face Toner Mist, £9.60 at www.lookfantastic.com
A true under-the-radar pharmacy classic, it’s a fine zinc mist that helps calm shine and redness without stripping the skin. I love it as a mid-afternoon reset especially over makeup or for bacne.
Best for multitasking: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, £21.99 at www.sephora.co.uk
An icon for a reason. It works as moisturiser, primer and mask. It represents the ‘fewer, better products’ philosophy I discuss in my book: skincare that earns its place.
Best for stressed out skin: SVR Essence B3, £29 at www.lookfantastic.com
One of my favourites! It’s the perfect bridge between toner and serum: hydrating, soothing and barrier-strengthening thanks to niacinamide. Ideal for London skin that feels tight, reactive or simply overwhelmed.
Best for easy radiance: Bioderma Hydrabio Perfecteur SPF30, £18.30 at www.notino.co.uk
This is very French in spirit: skincare that quietly does three things at once. It hydrates, perfects and protects, with light reflecting agents that leave skin luminous but natural.
Best for people who ‘hate’ sunscreen: La Rosée Sun Milk SPF50+ Face & Body, £21.90 at thefrenchpharmacy.co
I genuinely can’t go on holiday without it. It smells divine and the texture is unlike anything else – light, silky and completely invisible. It makes daily SPF feel like a pleasure rather than a chore.
Best for brightening dull complexions: Avène Vitamin Active Cg Serum, £29.90 at www.lookfantastic.com
Brightening without aggravating the skin is very important. This delivers luminosity in a way that respects even sensitive complexions. In France, we favour long-term skin health over quick, harsh results.
Best for soothing flare-ups: Uriage Eau Thermal Water Spray, £10.79 at www.facethefuture.co.uk
Mineral-rich and beautifully calming, thermal water is dermatology’s unsung hero and key to soothing skin post-treatment, post-sun or during sensitivity.
Best for gentle but effective cleansing: Caudalie Vinoclean Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil, £22 at www.spacenk.com
My favourite face cleanser! This melts make-up and sunscreen without ever compromising skin’s comfort. The French approach always begins with respecting the skin barrier.
Best for delivering instant gloss and polish: Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, £23 at www.lookfantastic.com
This is an iconic product that sits in every French bathroom. It gives skin a subtle sheen that looks expensive but never glittery. Effortless, sensual, practical.