With the summer season just around the corner, there’s no better time to stock up on some of the best French sunscreens in pharmacies and beauty shops. Let’s discover some of the top French sunscreens available, each of which offers exceptional sun protection, as well as additional skincare benefits like hydration and anti-aging benefits. Whether you’re spending the day at the beach in the south of France or simply running errands around town, these French sunscreens will keep your skin protected, healthy, and beautiful. Be sure to add them to your French girl summer skincare routine!
Best Makeup Primer with SPF: Lancôme UV Expert Primer & Moisturizer with SPF 50
Lancôme UV Expert Primer & Moisturizer with SPF 50 is a sunscreen primer and moisturizer in one, which makes it ideal for those who want to simplify their skincare routine. It contains a broad-spectrum SPF 50 to shield the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. The key ingredients include a powerful antioxidant complex, which includes vitamin E and baicalin, to protect the skin from environmental stressors. It also contains a combination of mexoryl SX and XL, which provides advanced sun protection and helps prevent premature skin aging.
Best Face Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Face Sunscreen
The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Face Sunscreen is perfect for everyday wear because it is lightweight and non-greasy. Parisians love this product, and Jacquemus even gave it away in the goodie bags during one of his fashion shows in Provence! This French face sunscreen has a broad-spectrum SPF 60 for serious shielding of your delicate facial skin. It is also fortified with antioxidants like vitamin E and perlite, which can absorb excess oil and sweat, leaving the skin matte and smooth.
Best Tinted Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen not only provides broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection but also has a universal tint that evens out the skin tone. If you have red or patchy, uneven skin, this is the summer sunblock you need! It contains active ingredients that provide advanced sun protection. It also has a unique blend of perlite and silica, which helps to absorb excess oil and sweat, leaving the skin with a matte finish.
Best Tinted Mineral Sunscreen: Vichy Capital Soleil Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
Vichy Capital Soleil Tinted Mineral Sunscreen for Face is a tinted mineral sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum SPF 60 protection. It contains 100% mineral filters, including titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which provide a physical barrier against UVA and UVB rays. Tinted mineral sunscreen is great for people with sensitive skin who still want to even out their skin tone. It also incorporates Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water, which can fortify the skin’s natural defenses against environmental attacks.
Best Foundation with SPF: Guerlain L’Essentiel Natural Glow Foundation
Guerlain L’Essentiel Natural Glow Foundation is the best sunscreen foundation that not only provides coverage but also contains SPF 20 to defend the skin from UV damage. It’s the perfect sun-protecting makeup product for summer beauty. Guerlain promises it will last up to 16 hours straight! This foundation comprises a blend of natural ingredients like jojoba oil, which nourishes and hydrates the skin. It also has a unique “Light & Breathable” formula that allows the skin to breathe, while still providing long-lasting coverage.
Best for Oily Skin Types: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen is the best sunscreen for oily skin types because it has a dry touch formula that absorbs excess oil and sweat, leaving the skin with a matte finish. It provides broad-spectrum SPF 60 protection and contains powerful ingredients to offer cutting-edge sun safety. It is also enhanced with perlite, which prevents excess oil production. Lastly, acne-prone skin types will appreciate that it’s oxybenzone free so it won’t cause breakouts!
Best for Dry Skin Types: Vichy Aqualia Thermal UV Defense Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 30
Vichy Aqualia Thermal UV Defense Moisturizer Sunscreen is the perfect sunscreen for dry skin types because it contains Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water, which hydrates and fortifies the skin’s natural defenses. It has a broad-spectrum SPF 30 to guard the skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays. It is supplemented with shea butter and glycerin, which nourish and hydrate ultra-dry or irritated skin, leaving it soft and supple.
Best for Mature Skin: La Roche Posay Anthelios UV Correct Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 70
If you’re over 50, La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Correct Sunscreen Moisturizer is specially formulated for mature skin and provides broad-spectrum SPF 70 protection. It includes a unique blend of Cell-Ox Shield technology, which includes both physical and chemical UV filters to provide maximum sun protection for aging skin. It also has antioxidants like vitamin E and baicalin, which help to cover the skin from environmental pollutants and prevent premature aging.
Best for Anti-Aging: Vichy LiftActiv Peptide-C Sunscreen
If you want to target the signs of aging while protecting your face from sun damage, the Vichy LiftActiv Peptide-C Sunscreen SPF 30 is perfect for anti-aging while spending time in the sun. This French anti-aging sunscreen contains a powerful mix of ingredients like vitamin C and peptides, which drastically reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. It has the broad-spectrum SPF 30 you need to protect the skin from UV damage. As a bonus, it’s enriched with natural Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water, which helps to fortify the skin’s natural defenses against environmental pollutants.
Best Budget Sunscreen: L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Sunscreen SPF 30
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Sunscreen is a budget-friendly sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection and is fortified with pro-retinol, which will diminish your fine lines and facial wrinkles. It also contains antioxidants like vitamins C and E, which help to rescue the skin from external stressors and prevent premature aging. Lastly, hyaluronic acid works to hydrate your skin and prevent it from drying out in the sun. It’s really an excellent all-in-one anti-aging budget sunscreen from France!
Best Spray: Clarins Sunscreen Care Milk-Lotion Spray
The Clarins Sunscreen Care Milk-Lotion Spray is a spray-on formula that provides broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection. It contains a blend of physical and chemical UV filters, which provide maximum sun protection. It also incorporates aloe vera and vitamin E, which help to soothe and nourish the skin. The spray-on format makes it easy to apply fast.
Best Compact Powder Sunscreen: Avène High Protection Tinted Compact
Another sunscreen makeup winner, the Avène High Protection Tinted Compact is a compact powder sunscreen that provides high protection with SPF 50+. It’s your perfect summertime handbag companion. It contains mineral filters like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which provides a physical barrier against UVA and UVB rays. It also has a tinted formula that evens out the skin tone and is enriched with Avène Thermal Spring Water, which will soothe and calm the skin.
Best Sunscreen for Body: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt In Milk Body Sunscreen
The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt In Milk Body Sunscreen is the best-selling sunscreen in France. It was developed by the trusted French pharmacy brand La Roche-Posay, owned by the L’Oréal Group. It is a highly effective and user-friendly sunscreen that provides excellent sun protection while being gentle on the skin. The sunscreen provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, which prevents sunburn, skin aging, and skin cancer. The sunscreen is designed to be fast-absorbing, so it won’t leave a greasy or sticky residue on the skin. It is water-resistant, which means it can withstand exposure to water and sweat for up to 80 minutes. It’s safe for sensitive skin because it is free from parabens, fragrances, and other potential irritants.
Best Mineral Sunscreen for Body: Avène Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50+
Avène Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50+ is a highly-rated mineral sunscreen specifically formulated for the body and gives you broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection. You can always spot a bottle when vacationing on the French Riviera. It comprises 100% mineral filters, including titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which provides a physical barrier against UVA and UVB rays. It is bolstered with antioxidants like vitamin E and Avène Thermal Spring Water, which protects the skin from environmental agitators. If you have sensitive skin, you must try this one!
Best High-SPF: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Body & Face Sunscreen SPF 100
For a French pharmacy favorite, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Body & Face Sunscreen provides the highest SPF protection with broad-spectrum SPF 100 if you’re spending time near the equator or plan to be exposed to the sun for a long time. It also has a melt-in-to-your-skin milky formula that is quickly absorbed and is enriched with antioxidants like vitamin E, which can safeguard the skin from pollution and environmental toxins.
Best for Sports: Avène Sport Fluid SPF50+
Avène Sport Fluid SPF50+ is formulated for sports, running, swimming, and outdoor activities and provides broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection. It merges a blend of physical and chemical UV filters, which provide maximum sun protection. It is also water-resistant and sweat-resistant, making it perfect for your summertime sweaty activities.
For Children: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Kids Sunscreen SPF 50
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Kids Sunscreen is specifically formulated for children and provides broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection. It contains a combination of safe-for-kids physical and chemical UV filters, to provide maximum sun protection for the little ones. It is also fortified with antioxidants like vitamin E, which helps to shield the skin from toxic encounters. Plus, it’s water-resistant, making it perfect for little kids who love to swim and play in the water.
