With France still on the red list, we’re missing our holidays filled with croissants, Côtes de Provence rosé, and most importantly, bargain beauty hauls in French pharmacies.
If you didn't already know, unlike UK pharmacies, French pharmacies are anything but ordinary.
Spotting the flashing neon green pharmacy sign is like striking gold. French pharmacies are the holy grail for skincare fanatics - not only are they cheap and affordable, but they're often well stocked with brilliant brands, offers and multi-pack deals.
But luckily for us, many French brands are now available to buy online. And while you might not feel like Emily in Paris – and you won’t get the buzz of saying ‘au revoir’ after check-out – you can still have your favourite French pharmacy products delivered to the UK.
Plus, by purchasing your favourite products online, you won't need to worry about squeezing ten bottles of cleanser and five tubs of night cream into your luggage. C'est bien!
SHOP: French pharmacy skincare 2021:
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French pharmacy skincare 2021
1 of 9Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray 150ml
Ok, hear us out on this one. While water in a spray can sound a little odd, this award-winning spring water mist has natural soothing and anti-irritating properties and is great for dry, dehydrated skin. Not to mention, it feels lovely and refreshing.
2 of 9Embryolisse Labatories Lait-Creme Fluide( 75ml )
Lait-Crème Fluide is the lighter alternative to the popular Concentré. This multi-tasker lotion can be used for both face and body as a moisturiser, soothing after-sun, after-shave and even baby care cream.
3 of 9Bioderma Crealine H2O Micelle Solution 2 x 500ml
This micellar water is no longer a well-kept secret. The cult product has graced our Instagram feeds for years, but even before it's rise to fame, it was a staple in skincare professionals and make-up artists' kits. The product with the pink cap is the regular version, but it also comes in formulations developed especially for sensitive and oily skin.
4 of 9DECLÉOR Green Mandarin Night Balm 15ml
This thick night balm does all the work for you. It's formulated with a blend of citrus essential oils, to deliver anti-fatigue and anti-ageing care, so you wake up with a radiant complexion after a good night's sleep.
5 of 9Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel 200ml
Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel is great for tackling break-outs. Its soap-free formula utilises naturally active spring water to cleanse and purify blemish prone skin, without being too harsh on your face.
6 of 9Cicabiafine Lip Balm
Gwyneth Paltrow, who claims this brand 'always does the trick' when her daughter's lips become chapped. Skincare guru Caroline Hirons also said her own stash of Cicabiafine lip balm is long gone. She 'used it up at the beginning of lockdown', and its an 'instant comfort.'
7 of 9VICHY Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Booster 50ml
Created using only 11 ingredients, including Hyaluronic Acid and Thermal Mineralising Water, Vichy Mineral 89 Serum has a fresh, light gel-like formula, which strengthens the skin's barrier to fight pollution and environmental aggressors.
8 of 9Boiron - Homeoplasmine 18g
An alternative to Vaseline, Homeoplasmine was originally designed to soothe the chapped nipples of mums who are breast-feeding, but it's since become a go-to for chapped lips. And it leaves a non-glossy, matte finish, so it's a perfect emollient to apply before lipstick.
9 of 9Klorane Aquatic Mint Cleansing Shampoo 200ml
While customers seem to have a love-hate relationship with the minty scent, most can agree that Klorane's Aquatic Mint Cleansing Shampoo leaves your hair and scalp feeling fresher. One happy customer also claimed the product helped their psoriasis. They said, "This shampoo has a cooling effect, which I really like, it leaves my hair feeling so fresh and clean! It also help soothe the very mild psoriasis I have on the front of my scalp."
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And when we can eventually go on French holidays again, having moisturised skin and sipping rosé in South of France will be at the very top of our post-lockdown to-do list.
If it's on yours, too, you'll be in need of a high protection SPF for your face. It's so important to apply SPF sunscreen to the face, neck and backs of ears, even on top of SPF moisturiser.
"SPF moisturisers are useful for short bursts of sun exposure but not suitable for longer stints outside as they may not give sufficient protection. This is because they are applied in a much thinner layer meaning that the SPF level may not be what is promoted on the bottle." says Consultant dermatologist for Stratum Dermatology Clinics, Dr Adam Friedmann.
He adds, "If you're wearing make-up and generally keeping out of the sun, then it might not always be practical to top up your SPF - that’s where an 8-hour SPF may be a preferred option.
"However, a once-a-day SPF will not survive a day of swimming, towel drying and sweating in the heat, so if you’re heading to the beach or out for the day, then reapplying an SPF to the face every two hours is essential."