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Between following trending 20-step skincare routines and lazy days when I just want to apply the bare minimum to my face to get by, a moisturiser has remained part of my daily regimen for as long as I can remember. As someone with eczema and extremely dry skin, I can’t exactly avoid using face creams, but I also genuinely enjoy applying this hydrating product to my face. I’m also very lucky that, as someone who works in beauty, I get to test a wide range of skincare products on a weekly basis before deciding which ones I’d genuinely invest in. And I’ll let you in on a secret: the best face creams I’ve tried all come from one place—the French Pharmacy.
(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)
Loved by editors, dermatologists and beauty enthusiasts alike, French pharmacies offer an extensive range of affordable but effective beauty essentials that you’d be hard-pressed to find in your average British chemist. So whenever I visit Paris, I make sure to stock up on a number of products to try before I decide on which ones to purchase. So, trust me when I say that the high-quality French formulas I’ve tried are well worth the investment. And luckily for you, I’ve rounded up the best of the best below.
From ultra-rich creams perfect for dry, dehydrated skin to water-based gels that remove excess oil and won’t clog pores, keep scrolling to discover the nine best French pharmacy creams, according to a beauty writer.
The Best French Pharmacy Face Creams
1. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Multi-Purpose Moisturiser
Embryolisse
Lait-Crème Concentré Multi-Purpose Moisturiser
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 sued in multiple ways
Cons
- Tube packaging can get messy and dispense too much product at once.
Loved by editors, makeup artists and TikTok alike, Embryolisse’s Lait-Crème Concentré has long been regarded as a French pharmacy favourite. With the ability to be used as a classic moisturiser, a makeup primer or a gentle cleanser, this 3-in-1 product uses shea butter, aloe vera, hydrolysed soy protein, and mineral oil to deeply nourish and smooth the skin. Although this formula is the perfect boost of hydration for those with dry skin, if you have combination or oilier skin, you can still very much benefit from using the product on targeted areas.
2. NuxeCreme Fraiche de Beaute Moisturising Rich Cream
Nuxe
Creme Fraiche De Beaute Moisturising Rich Cream
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 those with oily skin
If you have extremely dry and dehydrated skin like me, I cannot recommend Nuxe’s Crème Fraîche de Beaute rich cream enough. With a nourishing blend of sweet almond plant milk, red seaweed extract, shea butter, and moringa butter, this thick formula will leave your face looking plumped and glowy all day. Not to mention, it’s a lifesaver in winter to keep my makeup from drying out and looking patchy. In fact, I love it so much that I end up applying it to most of my body on those days when my skin really needs a hydration boost.
3. Avène Cleanance Mattifying Aqua-Gel
Avène
Cleanance Mattifying Aqua-Gel
Key ingredients: Monolaurin, niacinamide, lentil seed extract, Avène thermal spring water
Texture: Water-like gel
Fragrance free? No
Pros
- Oil-control finish which is ideal for oily skin
Cons
- May be too drying for those with dehydrated or sensitive skin
If you have oily skin, I’d recommend giving Avène’s Cleanance Mattifying Aqua-Gel a try. With a cooling gel formula that aims to reduce shine by up to 50%, this moisturiser is perfect for those with acne and blemish-prone skin. The water gel texture absorbs into the skin instantly without heaviness, allowing those with oily skin to get the benefits of hydration without the risk of clogging pores. As someone with dry skin, I can only really see myself reaching for this on those really hot days when I want something that feels weightless and breathable; however, I can guarantee that someone with oily or combination skin will fall in love with this formula.
4. Caudalie Premier Cru the Rich Cream
Caudalie
Premier Cru Skin Barrier Rich Cream
Key ingredients: TET8™ technology, viniferine, palo rosa extract, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, grape seed oil
Texture: Rich cream
Fragrance free? Yes
Pros
- Deeply nourishing formula with anti-ageing benefits
Cons
- Much more expensive than other face creams on the market
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I’m always on the hunt for mature-skin product suggestions due to how nourishing they are on my dry skin. Caudalie’s Premier Cru rich cream is an anti-ageing formula infused with TET8™, a patented technology that aims to blur fine lines and wrinkles, restore firmness and reduce dark spots. I personally love how thick this nourishing cream is; however, if you have normal to oily skin, there’s also a non-rich cream iteration available that will give you all of the skincare benefits without the risk of clogging pores.
5. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm
La Roche-Posay
Cicaplast B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm
Key ingredients: 5% vitamin B5, madecassoside, tribioma, zinc-manganese mineral complex, shea butter, glycerin, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water
Texture: Rich cream
Fragrance free? Yes
Pros
- A soothing formula that repairs the skin barrier thats safe for sensitive skin
Cons
- Can leave a slight white cast if applied too heavily
La Roche-Posay is loved by dermatologists and beauty editors alike, and the brand’s Cicaplast Baume B5 is a lightweight, hydrating cream that soothes dryness and repairs the skin barrier to prevent water loss. A fragrance-free, alcohol-free and hypoallergenic formula, this moisturiser is ideal for those with sensitive and dehydrated skin. Because I have dry skin and eczema, I absolutely love how thick the formula is; however, if you have oily skin or find rich creams too heavy in summer, I’d recommend using this at night or only on the areas of your face that need it.
6. Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Spot Niacinamide Moisturiser
Caudalie
Vinoperfect Dark Spot Niacinamide Moisturiser
Key ingredients: Viniferine, niacinamide, white peony root extract, olive squalane, hyaluronic acid
Texture: Lightweight gel-cream
Fragrance free? No
Pros
- Lightweight cream that won’t feel too heavy on the face
Cons
- Those with dry skin might need to layer it with a rich cream
If you’re well-versed in the skincare world, it should come as no surprise that Caudalie is in this round-up twice. In fact, I’d been using the brand’s Vinoperfect range years before I decided to try the Premier Cru cream. Using viniferine, a plant derivative that’s over 60 times more effective than vitamin C, this lightweight gel formula effectively reduces dark spots without causing the irritation that vitamin C is known for amongst those with sensitive skin. I typically shy away from anything that claims to reduce hyperpigmentation, due to the fear of causing a breakout; however, rest assured, this formula remains gentle on eczema-prone skin despite the active ingredients included.
7. Bioderma Pigmentbio Brightening Face Cream Anti-Dark Spot SPF50+
Bioderma
Pigmentbio Brightening Face Cream Spf50+
Key ingredients: LumiReveal™ technology, vitamin C, vitamin E, niacinamide, salicylic acid
Texture: Lightweight cream
Fragrance free? No
Pros
- High sun protection formula with brightening ingredients
Cons
- Can leave a slight white cast on the face
A face cream that also doubles as sun protection is a great way to streamline your skincare routine, and Bioderma’s Pigmentbio SPF50+ face cream is a brightening formula that will leave your skin looking glowy and healthy. With LumiReveal™ technology that regulates melanin, this SPF is an effective dark spot remover for those of us with hyperpigmentation. The only downside is that it can leave a slightly whitish cast, which is fine for days when I’m putting a full face of makeup over it, but not ideal for my no-makeup days.
8. Vichy Minéral 89 72hr Moisture Boosting Cream
Vichy
Minéral 89 72hr Moisture Boosting Cream
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, niacinamide, vitamin E
Texture: Lightweight melting cream
Fragrance free? Yes
Pros
- Lightweight texture is ideal for daytime use
Cons
- Those with dry skin might need to layer it with a rich cream
Glowy and hydrating but without any heaviness, Vichy’s Minéral 89 72hr Moisture Boosting Cream is perfect for everyday use. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, squalane, niacinamide and vitamin E, this cream provides the face with a hydration boost and locks in moisture for up to 72 hours while also repairing the skin barrier. Not to mention that its lightweight formula sinks into the skin fast, enabling you to layer your SPF and makeup over it without risk of pilling or flaking.
9. Mimétique Skin Restore Crème Visage
Mimétique
Skin Restore Crème Visage
Key ingredients: SMR-C5 complex, Biotech squalane, sweet almond oil, hyaluronic acid, soy glycine, Artemisia abrotanum
Texture: Rich cream
Fragrance free? Yes
Pros
- Formulated with around 25% active ingredients that work overnight to repair the skin barrier
Cons
- May be too rich for those with oily skin
When it comes to looking for a face cream suitable for nighttime, it’s important to choose products that will improve and restore your skin barrier whilst your sleeping. Mimétique’s Skin Restore Crème Visage is packed with 25% active ingredients that improve your face’s ability to regenerate as well as hydrate, plump, and firm the skin. Its rich texture is ideal for preventing water loss and boosting absorption overnight. But if you have dry skin like me, it’s perfect for daytime use as well.
How Should I Choose the Best Face Cream for My Skin?
When choosing the best face cream for your skin type there are a few things to look out for:
For Dry Skin
Opt for: Rich creams, emollients and balm formulas.
Key Ingredients to look for: Ceramides, glycerin, squalane and hyaluronic acid
Key Ingredients to avoid: Fragrance, alcohols, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide
For Oily Skin
Opt for: Water-based creams, gels and oil-free formulas
Key Ingredients to look for: Niacinamide, salicylic acid, zinc, ceramides and hyaluronic acid
Key Ingredients to avoid: Essential oils, glycerin, shea and cocoa butter
For Mature Skin
Opt for: Rich creams, emollients and balm formulas.
Key Ingredients to look for: Ceramides, retinoids, peptides, squalane and hyaluronic acid
Key Ingredients to avoid: Fragrance, drying alcohols, sulfates, parabens
How I Tested
I tested a wide range of French-pharmacy face creams over the last few months, evaluating each moisturiser’s ability to hydrate my skin without irritating it or feeling too heavy, alongside how they performed with and without makeup layered on top.
Why Trust Us?
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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