11 Of The Best French Beauty Brands

“French beauty is natural, minimalistic and effortless,” describes Emilie Roberson from the French Beauty Co. who also happens to be French (a good source then, we figured!). “We believe in a less is more attitude. Invest in skincare and adopt a healthy lifestyle—makeup comes after, to enhance your natural beauty.”

Roberson says she was taught from a young age to look after her skin, something she says is simply part of the French culture. “The basis of all French skincare regimens is hydration, it is the first beauty gesture we learn. Skin that is fully hydrated is better protected to resist external factors and the signs of ageing. French girls love an understated look in fashion and the same could be said for their face. It’s like treating the skin, complexion and makeup as an extension of fashion, an accessory if you like. French girls want to look as natural as possible, they don’t appreciate a heavily applied makeup look.” 

While Roberson admits that French beauty and A-beauty, or Australian beauty, share many similarities (including a ‘less-is-more’ approach, with a preference for natural, clean and green ingredients), there is a point of difference: “French girls tend to form very close ties with their esthetician as they see them so frequently for maintenance. Another must-do is that we use fresh water on the face before applying your routine, like thermal water or micellar water. The skin glows from this extra step.”

We’re grateful to Roberson for sharing her French-girl beauty secrets and we thought we’d pass on the favour by sharing the Gritty Pretty team’s favourite French brands. Roberson’s pick? “I have been using Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water religiously for over 10 years. It is a gentle cleanser and the most efficient makeup remover I have tried.” Consider that added to our shopping carts!

See the Gritty Pretty team’s picks below.

A symbiosis of nature and science took shape in 1976 and cosmetics brand, Sisley, was born. Their plant-derived offering spans across makeup, skincare, fragrance and hair products, which means there’s an essential French-girl-approved product for every step of your beauty routine. Opt for a good old classic like the Black Rose Precious Face Oil, a deliciously silky face oil to hydrate and protect the skin. Or, if you’re needing a boost of luminosity, the Black Rose Cream Mask combines Black Rose, Padina pavonica and Alkekengi calyx extracts which actively work to diminish signs of fatigue and promote collagen. Je suis fatigue? Sign us up!

Shop Sisley.

When its Oat Milk Dry Shampoo is often dubbed ‘the best in the world’, you know a haircare brand is doing big things. A French pharmacy favourite, Klorane is renowned for its gentle haircare formulas that leave the hair looking (and feeling) its best. Catering to all kinds of hair needs (sensitive scalps, dry ends, oily roots), the French girls really were onto something when they shared the Klorane love. 

Shop Klorane.

Sitting at the helm of French pharmacy cult favourites, Bioderma is all about respecting the physiology of your skin. From softening redness, gentle cleansing to sun protection there is a product for everyone.  You’ll also find their iconic Sensibio H20 Micellar Water on the vanities of skin experts such as Melanie Grant, it-girl Jeanne Damas and model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. For all our sensitive gals, it’s a brand you wouldn’t want to miss!

Shop Bioderma.

Simple, effective and in the bag of most makeup artists we know—Embryolisse was born in a Parisian hospital and it all started with the Lait-Crème Concentré aka the 24-hour Miracle Cream. Found in Sydney Sweeney’s skincare arsenal, the Lait-Crème is a milky moisturiser triple-threat! Use it as a mask, cleanser or primer, and if you’re not in the market for a moisturiser, then perhaps peruse the online aisles that are full of hydrating, skin-plumping goodness. 

Shop Embryolisse.

Colours of tweed, quilted bags and a cutting-edge couture. Need we say more? We could… Chanel No5. It is a bottle recognised for changing the world of fragrance in 1921, and it has had many famous endorsements ever since. One of the most recognisable occurred in 1960, when Marilyn Monroe proclaimed, “What do [I] wear to bed? Chanel No5!” Chanel beauty is luxury, and it was envisioned through experience as Coco Chanel offered, “If you are sad, if you are disappointed, put on your makeup, give yourself some beauty care, put on lipstick, and attack.” On the hunt for a multi-tasking oil, the perfect everyday lip, or a bronzing cream—the lacquer black compacts, etched with interlocking c’s, can do no wrong.

Shop Chanel.

Founded in 1975, La Roche-Posay is a brand that aims to make dermatological skincare accessible to all. Whether it be eczema, acne, allergies or the side effects of cancer treatments on the skin, their products are formulated with the most sensitive skin types in mind. At the core of the brand lies thermal spring water, where legend has it that a French nobleman stopped at the springs of La Roche-Posay and saw his horse cured of eczema. Whether it be myth or truth—Napoleon Bonaparte later had a hospital built in this central town to treat soldiers skin diseases. So, there really must be something in the water (and there is) it’s called selenium, a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin cells from damage by neutralising free radicals. 

Shop La Roche-Posay.

In the hub of the famed wine growing-region in Bordeaux, you’ll find the vineyards where this story began. “Do you know that you’re throwing away treasure,” are the words uttered by Professor Joseph Vercautern, laboratory director of the Pharmacy University of Bordeaux to founders Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas during harvest season. It was this encounter that led to the making of one of their key ingredients grape seed polyphenols, a potent and powerful antioxidant. Today, the three products they first brought to market are still available. It’s just too good! 

Shop Caudalie.

A unique page in the ever-saturated beauty market, Biologique Recherche came to existence when a biologist, physiotherapist and clinical doctor—also known as the Allouche family—combined skill sets in a Parisian research lab. Today they provide highly active and concentrated formulations that can be customised to meet your skin’s individual needs. It’s an approach that is a little different to its compatriots, and if you’re wanting to add to cart, one must note the product offering is exclusively available through professional skin clinics. 

Shop Biologique Recherche.

If you haven’t already caught on, thermal water is the butter to your baguette, and Avène is the perfect embodiment of the French beauty philosophy. With over 270 years of expertise and experience, the centuries-old brand has been caring for sensitive skin with efficacious formulas that utilise Thermal Spring Water. The brand’s ‘Eau Thermale’ face mist and Cicalfate+ Restorative Skin Cream are indispensable drugstore products. Oh, and we can assure you in the handbags of your favourite French It-girls. 

Shop Avène.

We all aim to have our coiffed manes appear effortlessly undone, and world-renowned Parisian colourist, Christophe Robin’s label, is at your service. While we may love a detox and scalp scrub, think about nourishing and moisturising your strands a la French! Considering they are more dedicated to applying oils and masks and fond of lived-in, low maintenance and artfully blended balayage, try the Regenerating Mask With Prickly Pear Seed Oil. It’s the French woman’s go-to.

Shop Christophe Robin.

Formerly Cire Trudon, Trudon is a luxury candle brand made for kings (literally!). It was founded all the way back in 1643 and originally provided candles to the royal court. Each candle is still made and manufactured in France and the scents are heavenly. If you’re dreaming of a European rendezvous, perhaps be whisked away to the banks of the Mediterranean Sea with the Belles Matières Reggio Diffuser.

Shop Trudon.