Bonjour, everyone! When it comes to skincare, the French have long been recognized as leaders in the beauty world. With their emphasis on natural ingredients, luxurious textures, and elegant packaging, French face creams have earned a cult following for good reason. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your skin. That’s why I’ve done the research and testing for you to bring you the best French face cream brands to consider. Whether you’re looking to address fine lines, hydrate dry skin, or simply add a touch of Parisian elegance to your skincare routine, read on for my top picks of the best French face cream brands.
Emrbyolisse
Embryolisse is a French skincare brand that was founded in 1950 by a dermatologist named Dr. Tricot. The brand is known for its simple yet effective formulas that are gentle on the skin.
Embryolisse’s best-selling face cream is the Lait-Crème Concentré, a multi-tasking moisturizer that hydrates, nourishes, and protects the skin. This cream is suitable for all skin types and can be used as a primer or makeup remover.
Clarins
Clarins is a French luxury skincare brand founded in 1954 by Jacques Courtin-Clarins. The brand is dedicated to creating high-quality products that are developed with natural ingredients and plant extracts. Clarins’ best-selling face cream is the Super Restorative Day Cream, a lightweight formula that provides intense hydration and SPF 20 protection to the skin. This cream works well for all skin types, especially normal to dry skin.
Other popular Clarins face creams include:
- Extra-Firming Energy, Radiance Boosting Moisturizer: amazing for anti-aging
- Extra-Firming & Smoothing Day Moisturizer: everyday cream with SPF 15
- Extra-Firming & Smoothing Night Moisturizer: a great overnight face cream
- Multi-Active Anti-Aging Day Moisturizer with SPF 20: gives skin a healthy glow
- Hydra Essentiel Matte Gel Moisturizer: with hyaluronic acid, meant for oily skin types
La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay is a French skincare brand that was founded in 1975 and is known for its dermatological expertise and commitment to providing effective solutions for sensitive skin. The brand is focused on creating products that are safe, effective, and gentle on the skin. La Roche-Posay’s best-selling face cream is the Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer, a lightweight formula that hydrates and repairs the skin’s natural barrier. This cream is amazing for all skin types, especially sensitive and dry skin.
Other best-selling La Roche face creams include:
- Toleriane Double Repair UV Moisturizer: the same cream with SPF 30 protection
- Toleriane Double Repair Matte Face Moisturizer: for oily to combination skin types
Lancôme
Lancôme is a luxury French beauty brand created in 1935 by Armand Petitjean. It began with five perfumes but has since gone on to create one of the world’s most successful beauty empires. Lancôme is one of the best French face cream brands for those with mature skin who want to look younger. Lancôme’s best-selling face creams include:
- Absolue Revitalizing & Brightening Soft Cream Facial Moisturizer: an anti-aging face cream for mature skin that brightens the complexion
- Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Cream SPF 30: a powerful lifting face cream with light sun protection
- Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Moisturizing Cream-Gel Face Moisturizer: a gel-based moisturizer that works best on oily skin types
Avène
Avène is a French skincare brand established in 1990 and is named after the Avène Thermal Spring, known for its soothing and healing properties. The brand is respected for developing products that are gentle and safe for sensitive skin. Avène’s best-selling face cream is the Hydrance RICH Intense Rehydrating Cream, a rich and creamy formula that provides long-lasting hydration and protection to the skin. This cream is ideal for dry and very dry skin types.
Check out these other amazing Avène face creams:
- Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream: for hypersensitive skin
- Avène RetrinAL Intensive Cream: for wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and boosting radiance
- Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream: for damaged and wounded skin
- XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream: for atopic, eczema-prone skin
L’Oréal
L’Oréal is a massive, affordable beauty group with several brands under its control. Its in-house skincare line is arguably the most popular in the world. L’Oréal began back in 1909 when a young chemist named Eugène Schueller launched hair dyes in Paris. L’Oréal now makes just about every skincare product under the sun, including phenomenal face creams.
The best L’Oréal face creams you must try are:
- Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer: with retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C
- Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle and Firming Face Moisturizer: daily cream with SPF 25
- Collagen Face Moisturizer: a collagen-boosting day and night cream
- Age Perfect Rosy Tone Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer: for evening out blotchy skin tones
- Wrinkle Expert Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer: specifically for women 55+
Darphin
Darphin is a luxury skincare brand that was launched in 1958 by a Parisian kinesiotherapist named Pierre Darphin. The brand is known for its high-quality products that are infused with natural ingredients and botanical extracts. Darphin’s best-selling face cream is the Intral Redness Relief Soothing Cream, a gentle formula that reduces redness and inflammation while providing hydration and protection to the skin. This cream is suitable for sensitive and reactive skin types prone to redness.
Other effective Darphin face creams include:
- Stimulskin Plus Absolute Renewal Infusion Face Cream: a skin rejuvenating cream for mature skin
- Hydraskin Rich All-Day Skin Hydrating Cream: a great cream for dry skin types
- Hydraskin Light All-Day Skin Hydrating Cream Gel: an oil-free gel for oily skin types
- Ideal Resource Light Re-Birth Overnight Cream: an overnight anti-aging cream
