If you’re new to the world of French Pharmacy and you want to indulge in our up to 1/3rd off promotion, you’ll probably be needing a recommendation or two. You can find the need-to-know cult products in our post here, and the brand new products that are making waves here. Feeling adventurous? Stick around – in this post we’re taking a look at some under-the-radar beauties.
So, where to start with skincare dans la Pharmacie? There are so many underrated, effective and beautiful to use products tucked away in its abundant aisles that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. Delve into our list of favourites and let us know which ones are piquing your interest…
1) Bioderma Hydrabio Moisturising Mask
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Bioderma’s well and truly hit its stride as a comprehensive skincare brand outside of its cult hit Sensibio H2O Micellar Solution, especially in its wider Sensibio range for sensitive skin and Sebium range for oilier types. The product that I want to draw your attention to resides in the hydrating Hydrabio range, and it’s a bit of a doozy.
The Hydrabio Moisturising Mask is for all of those whose skin feels a bit ‘meh’ due to the dehydration, pollution and dietary habits that are part and parcel of a fast-paced lifestyle. That’ll be most of us, then. This quenching mask applies like a thick moisturiser and works to plump, smooth and boost the look and feel of your skin. After 10 minutes or so, wipe off the excess – although you’ll find that your skin will readily drink it up if you’re really lacking in water.
2) La Roche-Posay Rosaliac Micellar Make-Up Removal Gel
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Cleansing balms are fabulous for the evening, especially when you have a bit more time to make it an indulgent experience. In the morning, though? Not so much. I like to use something really, really fresh in the AM to wake me up, but nothing too stripping or harsh. This cleanser from La Roche-Posay is the answer – it’s a great find.
There are so many good things happening in this formula. First and foremost, it has an unusual icy fresh feeling. As it’s designed to be as cooling and soothing as possible to calm overheating, it makes for the perfect morning cleanser. Secondly, it has a micellar cleansing action, which micro-emulsifies impurities without having to rub at your skin. And as it’s created for really sensitive, redness-prone and reactive skin, it’s exceedingly gentle – it won’t remove your waterproof eye make-up in one go, but it will give you clear, soft and supple skin without making you work hard for it.
3) Klorane Citrus Pulp Shampoo
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Klorane shampoos are the quintessence of pharmacy haircare, with simple, functional packaging and formulas that combine the best of the garden with the best of the laboratory. The brand caters for coloured hair, mature hair, sensitive scalps and more, each range focusing on a specific botanical extract well known for its efficacy. Each one is fantastic, but I have a special affinity for the straight-up sunny brightness of the Citrus Pulp Shampoo, otherwise known as ‘the shine-maker’.
It gets a real shine going for all hair, from blondes through to raven-hued locks, and it does so using really gentle ingredients. Citrus, well known for its brightening and energising properties, works to revitalise the hair and neutralise hard water, so even those living in hard water areas can get some shine. It’s a straightforward, affordable, sunny shampoo – and it’s a great one to have to hand on dull days.
4) Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm
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Don’t you just love it when someone swears by a product and it’s within your budget? How about when that recommendation comes from Megan Fox… and the product in question is less than £10? It’s a bit of a no-brainer. Such is the case with Eucerin’s iconic Aquaphor all-purpose skin balm, a thick formula intended for severely dry places like lips, elbows and knees. It’s even great to use on baby’s skin. According to an interview in a US magazine, Megan uses hers as a face mask, and calls it her “miracle product”. Well, if it’s good enough for Ms. Fox…
5) Vichy Capital Soleil After Sun SOS Balm
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I know, I know – after sun isn’t a particularly glamorous product, which probably explains why this gem isn’t more widely talked about. However, those who have been introduced to the Capital Soleil After Sun SOS Balm readily sing its praises, particularly its rich yet gentle texture and action on sore skin.
The comforting balm balances natural extracts with bio-absorbable innovation to both intensely soothe skin and kickstart its repair mechanisms, and does so with a tactile, second skin feeling that is so comfortable. Its claims are high but consistently achieved, ensuring instant calm and well-hydrated skin, while reducing all redness within 24 hours. It’s something of an essential during summer.
6) Caudalie Vinoperfect Cell Renewal Night Cream
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This one is a new discovery for me and it’s quickly become a personal favourite. I should begin by saying that I like my night creams to have a bit of substance to them. Not so much that I can still feel it sitting on my skin come morning time, but rich enough that it leaves a thin layer of protection and moisture as I hop into bed. The texture of this cream is one of the best that I’ve found, dispensing in a rich and satiny curl that feels so luxurious as it’s massaged in.
But enough about the texture, because it’s the action of the Vinoperfect Cell Renewal Night Cream that solidifies its place in this hidden gem hall of fame. Created to brighten, smooth and energise your skin as you sleep, the cream contains a who’s who of energising ingredients: patented Viniferine, which is 62 times more powerful than vitamin C (for improved radiance) , papaya enzyme (a mild exfoliant) and glycolic acid (to provide gentle peeling action). It smells amazing, it feels amazing, and it works incredibly well – since using it, I’ve consistently woken up to brighter and more evenly toned skin.
7) Rene Furterer Karite Intense Nourishing Mask
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Rene Furterer is a pharmaceutical haircare brand that’s huge in the US for its iconic dry shampoo, and for its specialised hair loss products are big over here in Europe. But it’s its dry hair franchise, Karite, that is big news at Escentual HQ. Any time there’s a dry hair emergency, the Karite Intense Nourishing Mask is our go-to prescription, as it intensely replenishes hair in 5-10 minutes without fuss, heaviness or an overbearing fragrance.
Its potent blend of shea butter and shea oil is the key here, a pairing rich in essential fatty acids that give hair its bounce, shine and strength back. After use, your hair is so silky you won’t be able to stop touching it.
MinnieMay
Rene Furterer Karite Intense Nourishing Mask 200ml
My hair has been relaxed many times and coloured as well as abused by the straightener every day! I was at the end of my hair rope and I tried so many products and masks (not to mention all the expensive in-salon reconstructive treatments!), but none seemed to help. When I tried Karite', I was so happy from the very first use I could not believe it! It has literally healed my hair, which is now soft, strong, doesn't break off anymore and has finally grown out nicely. You have to be consistent, since the shea butter (karite')works every time you wash your hair, time after time, it's a powerful ingredient which re-alligns the cuticles and mends your hair shaft, nourishing and feeding the dry parts. You have to try it to understand, it's simply a miracle!
