Over the last few years, I kept seeing articles and videos covering, “French women beauty tips,” but I really didn’t know what I was getting.
Was this author truly knowledgable on what real French women were doing, or were they on the content treadmill?
I didn’t know, I was just a woman from California who’d like to read interesting pieces on French skincare, but hadn’t been in France long enough to even take note.
So I decided to do the work myself and ask 127 women who were actually from France.
I didn’t want secondhand knowledge, and I most definitely didn’t want to give you false information. So I did two things:
- I asked knowledgable French content creators.
- I asked the incredible French women on Reddit.
And these kind women gave me a lot more information than I was expecting.
I was thinking that I’d just get answers on some skincare products and routines (which they did discussed), but they also gave me information on their diets, makeup, and even lifestyle.
So if you want a legit understanding of what French women are really doing for their beauty, then I’ve condensed the information (+ my personal notes) into one space. Please enjoy. 🙂
Who you’ll be hearing from in this article:
- EVB – The French Edit
- Auriane from the Fancy & Healthy avec Auriane
- Julia Comil from Mode RSVP
- The women of r/AskFrance & r/AskMeuf
What I’ll Be Covering:
- Their diet
- Their lifestyle
- Their routine
- Their makeup
- French pharmacy recommendations
- Other notable and try-worthy products + shop mentions
- Important info on French products themselves
On Food
This one surprised me the most, but it also made the most sense.
What you take in can really does affect your health and skin. In a 2024 review article covering the dietary influences on skin health, it was stated that, “-emphasizing overall eating habits over specific meals or nutrients appears beneficial for managing various skin conditions. Diets rich in whole foods, antioxidants, fiber, and phytonutrients [a plant-based substance that helps protect your body from diseases] show promise in promoting skin health and preventing related comorbidities [a medical condition that coexists alongside one’s main negative health condition].”
Here’s what Julia Comil from Mode RSVP says about it,“I think the food is fresher, so that definitely helps. People also tend to eat less processed food than in the United States. From my personal experience, the bread is easier to digest as well because the yeast is often naturally cultivated rather than heavily industrialized, which seems to be better for gut health and then the skin.”
Auriane from Fancy & Healthy avec Aurianealso added, “Skincare comes from within so that means drinking lots of water, sleeping enough and eating ‘skin foods’ like oily fish, carrots and avocados.”
And from the French women on Reddit:
“Honestly make sure you have a good gut health, it is key for your skin! You can eat live yogurts, drink kombucha etc.. I lived in the US for a few months and you just won’t be able to find the same quality of food there, even if you spend a lot of money. If you can at least make sure you have the best gut health you can get by supplementing with probiotic foods, it’s a big help already” – Financial-Tear-7809
Side Note: If you live in the US, I think your best move is to do a bit of research on the best brands + stores that will provide you with high-quality (or even European) products and ingredients.
Consistent-Vast4973 said,“The answer about food is in fact really representative of the way of thinking beauty of a lot of women (and men) in France : we are taught diet and health and Beauty are intertwined.” And when I asked what kind of foods she currently ate to take care of her health + skin, she responded with,
“Mostly it’s all about enough hydration:
- enough water (but not too much)
- food that contains water
But also lots of vitamins. One way of checking if you eat a lot of vitamins is to “eat a rainbow” each day (at least one fresh produce of each color: one thing green, one yellow, one orange, one purple, one red).
And it is also centered around what NOT to eat: Fried and greasy to a minimum, no refined sugar.”
Join for more legit helpful information, ideas on elevating your lifestyle, & try-worthy recipes.
More Skincare Tips to Checkout in 2026:
- 7 Skin Care Habits French Women Are Always Practicing
- Helpful Skin Care Tips I’ve Learned on My Journey to Better Skin
- 16 Ways to Be Beautiful and Looksmax Naturally
On Lifestyle
I’ve noticed that the worse my lifestyle is, the worse my skin looks.
If I’m drinking 5 cups of espresso in a day (please don’t judge), cooking easy (but not so healthy) meals, and not getting enough sleep, I see it.
Low-Owl3199 from r/AskFrance says, “You just need to believe in you and don’t over do it, embrace your features, workout lightly everyday by walking, eat three main dishes a day- No junk food, no snacks. No sugar and milk in coffee. Keep it simple.
Sit Around with friends and share a glass of wine if you like it.
Life is about balance and quality. Quality in friendship, mindset, clothings. Better to have less than more.”
Side Note: Another French women fought her a bit on the no sugar and milk in coffee.
Auriane from Fancy & Healthy avec Aurianealso stated, “My personal approach to beauty is taking care of my overall health and well being as you cannot out do a bad lifestyle with just products ☺️.”
“They eat real food, aren’t sedentary, and are moving towards a more minimalist routine (at least from those I know).” – relapsin_time
Last thoughts on lifestyle: Don’t take this as your sign to change everything that’s wrong in your own life. Take it slow and just start cutting out a few bad habits at a time, and adopting good ones here and there. Example: This week you could start drinking a few extra cups of water a day, maybe go for a 10-20 minute walk, and cut out screen time after a certain point in the night.
On The Skincare Routine Itself
When it came to skincare, there was a continuity in the answers I received.
Simple + minimal + intentional = the best approach.
Again, Auriane from Fancy & Healthy avec Auriane gave a great answer, “I would say when it comes to French beauty, less is more. I’m not a big fan of Korean skincare routines as they have way too many steps. Instead, I’d much rather have a simple regimen: double cleanse, serum adapted to specific concern [serums for specific concerns was a common answer I saw among the other French women] and a moisturizer with ceramides to take care of the skin barrier. Of course sunscreen as well in the morning, that’s a non-negotiable.”
EVB – The French Edit also gave their answer, “I wouldn’t say I fit the typical Parisian or French beauty mold… Years of travel and living in the US have shaped a more fluid approach: I rotate products with the seasons and adapt entirely depending on where in the world I am.
Right now I’m in Paris during a heatwave, so my routine has been stripped right back. When the heat isn’t too intense, I reach for Chanel’s Numéro 1 cream as my base. For sun protection, I alternate between the Krème solar oil and the Caudalie sun stick. On my legs, I use Oden’s dry oil (you can find it at Oh my cream).”
Side Note: Again, nothing is an affiliate link as I haven’t tried them myself yet. Just wanted to make it easy for you to find. 🙂
Here’s what a few of the women on Reddit answered:
ladom44 says,“F46 [Female, 46] I wash it with soap and water in the shower in the morning and once dry I apply organic, first cold-pressed hazelnut oil.
I don’t expose myself to the sun (shade, hat).
And I’ve never smoked.
That’s all.
Still no wrinkles in sight.”
Side Note: When I asked her about the benefits of the oil, she sent me to this page that discusses the cold-pressed hazelnut oil she uses.
CosmicAdena says this about her routine, “I don’t think I’m representative of French women, but my skincare routine is: Morning: moisturizer + vitamin C serum + SPF 50 sunscreen EVERY SINGLE DAY (yes, even in winter, yes, even when it’s raining, UVA rays still get through) + BB cream. Evening: tretinoin + night cream.” She also states that the glow up was unreal.
“There’s a lot of French women, and a lot of different routines. Mine is quite basic : washing my face, moisturizing when it feels dry in winter. Nothing fancy.” – Glou256
“I think there are a lot of clichés and idealizations… Maybe it comes down to using the right products? We really like pharmacy products in France and tend to believe in the “less is more” approach. A good moisturizer, sunscreen, cleanser, night cream, serum, eye cream, retinol. But most of my friends don’t have that many steps in their routine!” – NorthHyena1081
“I have a pretty heavy routine, with peptides/vitamin C/AZA, treatment and 50 SPF of course, but I feel like an alien among my group of girlfriends!” – Clarinet_ (Ask Meuf)
“I wash my face in the shower with the same mild soap I use for my body (Bioderma Atoderm). I like to finish with cold water. Out of the shower, some moisturizer, and voilà.” – Tata_Popo
Side Note: Washing face with soap in the showers was a very common answer. Again, it really fits the simple/minimalist skincare approach.
”I used to have a very long routine, but now I only use 4 products:
- a suitable cleaner
- a retinol serum (only at night)
- a moisturizing cream (the same one morning and evening)
- SPF for the day (non-negotiable)
And finally, my skin is flawless. Much better than when I was desperately searching for THE perfect routine. And it costs less.” – MisantropAsh
“One French woman out of I don’t know how many millions here: after trying loads of complicated, multi-step routines, I’ve found that my skin is happier when my routine is simple. So, basically: makeup remover at night (I use micellar water that also removes makeup; I don’t like oil-based products) + Avene cleansing gel that I bought at the pharmacy + moisturizer. In the morning, just a little water, and I put on sunscreen every day. I’m still young, in my thirties, but people regularly tell me I look 5-7 years younger.” – Longjumping-Word8336
“I wash my face then apply toner and hydrating cream. Sometimes serum. That’s it.“ – Ok_Efficiency_3750
On Makeup
Their makeup tips were also the same as their skincare advice. Simple is best.
Here’s what Julia Comil from Mode RSVP says about it:
“As a French woman, I have always believed that beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin. Rather than using makeup to transform my features, I see it as a way to subtly enhance them. My philosophy has always been centered around balance: healthy, radiant skin paired with effortless makeup that feels polished yet natural. French beauty isn’t about perfection, it’s about intention. It’s taking the time to care for your skin, choosing products that truly work for you, and embracing your natural features rather than trying to change them.
“For me, skincare is not about chasing perfection. It’s about consistency, prevention, and investing in your skin over time. When your skin is well cared for, you naturally need less makeup, and confidence comes more easily. My daily routine is focused on maintaining healthy skin, supporting long-term skin health, and preserving a natural glow as I age.”
The French Editalso added, “During a heatwave, I keep it minimal: Chanel’s volume mascara and a brow pencil, then I lock everything in place with Rare Beauty’s brow gel, which is genuinely essential in summer when heat and humidity take over.”
In reference to her previous answer on skincare, Auriane from Fancy & Healthy avec Auriane says, “As for makeup, the same philosophy applies: a little concealer, blush, bronzer, mascara and tinted lip balm like the black honey from Clinique.”
Aware-Jackfruit-7464 on Reddit shared this: “the heavy makeup that you often see elsewhere is not a big thing here though, it’s more of a light makeup natural look, lipstick is a big thing often a big bold colour. You’ll see even the super old women toddling down the st. and they have a slash of red.”
One Last Note on French Makeup: Among many of the answers I got, I found BB + CC cream to be a very common product people used instead of a full-coverage foundation. And as one user stated, “beauty standards favor a more ‘natural’ look. I rarely notice heavier, full-face makeup or obvious cosmetic procedures in my daily life.”
On French Pharmacy Products (+ Recommendations)
French pharmacies became trendy on US social media, and now I get why after reading over the different answers.
Julia Comil talks about her favorite pharmacy brands:
Caudalie: “Caudalie has long been one of my favorites. I love their Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil, which is incredibly gentle on the eyes, as well as their Moisturizing Toner with Rose Water. Their body care products are equally wonderful, especially their hand cream and foot balm, which I always keep on hand.
La Roche-Posay: No French skincare routine feels complete without La Roche-Posay. Their Anthelios SPF range is one of my daily essentials, and the Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser remains one of the best cleansers I have ever used, particularly for sensitive skin. For the body, I can’t recommend enough the triple moisturizer. When it comes to double cleansing, I often alternate between products from Caudalie and La Roche-Posay depending on what my skin needs.
Avene: Once a week, I like to give my skin a little extra attention with a hydrating mask. Whenever I’m in France, I always stock up on the Avène Soothing Hydrating Mask, a longtime favorite that instantly comforts, hydrates, and revives tired skin.
Garancia: Lately, I’ve also been loving Garancia, particularly their iconic 30-second peel. It’s one of those products that delivers an immediate glow and leaves my skin looking smoother and more radiant with minimal effort.
L’Occitane: And because no trip to a French pharmacy is complete without a few indulgent purchases, I always bring back products from L’Occitane. Anything infused with almond is guaranteed to make it into my basket: from the Almond Shower Oil to their body care favorites. The scent is beautiful, and the formulas leave the skin feeling incredibly soft and nourished.”
Speaking of Caudalie, Lilysoriginails (40F) says some of her favorites from this brand are Caudalie glycol essence, Caudalie resveratrol cream, Caudalie cleansing oil, Caudalie resveratrol night cream, and a Caudalie scrub or peel.
Lyannake from Reddit also says, “Parapharmacie [French Pharmacy] brands will do wonders for your skin. And walking a lot.” And when I asked them about their recommendations, they answered, “Depends on your skin. You can’t really go wrong with Avene, La Roche Posay and Ducray though. Personally the cream Azeane by ACM has done wonders, a bit hard to find but worth the hassle”
“I really like the La Rosée brand (I love their facial moisturizers, sunscreens, and body products), Caudalie (the Vinohydra range is my favorite, and Vinoperfect is great if you have dark spots), and La Roche-Posay; I really like their facial sunscreens. I could mention many others, like Bioderma, which is also very good.” – NorthHyena1081
“Moisturize, I use I think one of the most, if not the most famous French moisturizer: Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentré, and voilà ! [this product was mentioned twice] La Roche-Posay cleansing milk + Indian Dermophile [a product created by a French apothecary in WWI for soldiers to protect their skin from the cold and wind].” –Arwe2n100e
Last Note on French Pharmacy Products: Micellar water was mentioned 17 different times as being apart of their skincare routines. Here are a few brands people recommended trying when asked:
Other Notable and Try-Worthy Products + Shop Mentions
I’m going to list just a few product and shop mentions that I thought were worth taking note on.
Products:
- Nacinamide cleanser: The ingredient, nacinamide, helps the skin barrier and elasticity, regulates oil, and reduces inflammation.
- Panthenol serum: Helps hydrate + smooth skin.
- Triskel_gaming from Reddit recommends Marseille soap which according to Wikipedia is, “a traditional hard soap made from vegetable oils that has been produced around Marseille, France, for about 600 years.” It’s supposed to be great for soothing sensitive skin. ALSO, I realized I had seen it at a market in Nice, France, and because I had no idea what it was at the time, I went “Oh, pretty soap, I’m gonna take a photo,” and didn’t buy any (said photo above). Legitimiately sad about that.
- Comfortable_Body9363 says she uses Yves Rocher’s healing cream if she gets a pimple.
Shop Recommendation: Three different people recommended Aroma-Zone. RealHousePotato said, “Most of my friend and myself are going to Aroma-Zone for cheap but efficient products” Salty_Mode1105 also talked about the same shop, “Aroma zone is a great website/shop we use for skin care :)” Also, Sensetive_Trouble_60 recommends Aroma Zone’s under-eye serum as a good product to try.
On French Skincare Ingredients
And lastly, I wanted to cover one important detail that mikmik555 on Reddit brought up.
“When I started to have dark spots, I went to the dermatologist and he gave me a prescription to get a custom made cream at the pharmacy that I paid 75 euros and made my dark spots completely disappear. In Canada, I was told by my doctor to just cover it with makeup. I went to a medi spa, the serum and cream were over 600$ and laser was over 2000. I don’t even have that much spots. So, yes, it’s the food but it’s also that the skin products aren’t the same. Even the sunscreen. It’s more advanced. It takes 30 years for the FDA to approve new ingredients for skin care because they are classified as drugs.”
And when asked about the ingredients in said skincare product, she responded with, “It was a cream containing hydroquinone, hydrocortisone, and Effasun.”
Now this isn’t to say that any French skincare or makeup product you get aren’t the same as the ones you’d buy in France. But I do think it’s good to do a little bit of research before spending money on them. Reddit forums are very useful for this, but you can also see if there are any video or article reviews on the products you want.
Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, HuffPost, & Apartment Therapy.