Say bonjour to these French pharmacy skincare brands that ruled in 2024

If you’re a skincare enthusiast, you would’ve noticed the subtle shift in skincare preferences going from K-beauty to French expertise this year, with certain products even going viral. So, as the year comes to a close, we take stock of a few French skincare brands that left an indelible mark in the Indian beauty market in 2024.

But first, let’s take a look at what led to this development and what makes French skincare so sought after. Leading cosmetologist and medical director of Isaac Luxe, Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, says, “French skincare brands have gained popularity in India due to their reputation for efficacy, safety, and a luxurious experience, besides being gentle and safe to use on Indian skin.” She adds that while Korean skincare is known for innovation and trendy ingredients, French pharmacy skincare is renowned for its emphasis on science-backed, gentle, and effective formulations. 

“French skincare excels in terms of timeless, reliable, and dermatologist-recommended products. Some of the key ingredients you’ll see in French pharmacy skincare include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, peptides, and antioxidants,” she adds.

It also helps that multiple French pharmacy skincare brands have launched in India over the last couple of years, owing to the demand and the growing beauty market in the country.

So, if you haven’t tried them yet, here are a few brands you should get to know:

Embryolisse

Makeup artists everywhere swear by certain products from this brand. The French skincare brand launched in India recently and has already garnered quite a fan following. Since its inception in 1950, Embryolisse’s formulations have been based on an understanding of essential skin needs—hydration, nutrition, and protection.

Must try: The reputation of the cult Lait-Crème Concentré precedes itself. Used and sworn by makeup artists and celebrities as a primer, moisturiser and make-up remover, one of these sells every eight seconds! For those who prefer lighter textures, it is also available as the Lait-Crème Fluide which works great as a face and body moisturiser.
 

Caudalie

This luxurious French skincare brand, that launched in India just two years ago, specialises in vinotherapy. Its high-end skincare products are crafted from the harnessed extracts of grapes and vines, derived from the vineyards in the Bordeaux region of France.

Must try: The Beauty Elixir made of 100% natural-origin ingredients preps skin, helps tighten pores, sets makeup, and gives the skin a dewy, radiant look. The Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum is also an all-time favourite for many. The brand recently launched the VinoHydra Moisturizer range in gel, cream and sorbet variants for different skin types.

Bioderma

A well-loved brand trusted and recommended by many dermatologists for its gentle but effective products, Bioderma has carved a niche for itself in the skincare space.

Must try: The brand’s Sensibio H2O micellar water is such a hit that this product that was once a staple backstage at fashion shows for models has now taken centre stage with skincare enthusiasts. You can also treat your skin to some TLC with the brand’s ultra-nourishing barrier care cream Atoderm Crème Ultra.

Clarins

Promising smoother, radiant, youthful-looking skin with an  two bottles one inside the other, and a dual pump system to preserve the intrinsic qualities of its two phases for optimal performance.

Must try: The brand recently relaunched the much-loved Double Serum with its anti-ageing benefits for all skin types and all skin tones. Also, the range of Lip Comfort Oils is loved by many as it hydrates and also strengthens the lips' barrier function with nourishing botanical oils like jojoba, hazelnut, and rosehip star extract.

Avène

While Avène has been available in the Indian market since 2010, its skincare products infused with Avène thermal spring water are still very much sought after and have a cult following of their own.

Must try: The Eau Thermale or Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray is a favourite for its soothing mist that relieves any skin discomfort or redness, or even as a face refresher. The brand’s range for oily and acne-prone skin especially the Cleanance Cleansing Gel is a highly favoured product too.

L'Occitane en Provence

This much-loved French brand with its iconic yellow boxes offers indulgent nature-inspired skincare, body, hair and fragrance products all of which are developed and produced in the small town of Manosque in Provence.

Must-try: The luxurious Almond Shower Oil hydrates as it cleanses and is perfect for the winters, while the Immortelle Reset Serum is a universal oil-in-serum for a glowing, smooth and revitalized skin.

La Roche-Posay

Renowned for their simple and effective ingredients and formulations, the brand offers products for all skin types, even for sensitive skin, as well as conditions like dryness and eczema.

Must-try: A product from their range that went viral and is still bring grabbed off shelves is the Cicaplast Baume B5+, an all-around skin saviour cream targeting a range of concerns. It contains the brand’s exclusive thermal spring water as well as 5% panthenol to intensely hydrate the skin. The sunscreen Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid with SPF50+ is another popular product from the brand.

Uriage

Another French skincare brand renowned for its thermal water infused products is Uriage, which is relatively newer having been set up in 1992. Born in the heart of the French Alps, Uriage thermal water flows through the rocks and on the way gets enriched with minerals and trace elements that lend it its unique properties of soothing, hydrating and protecting the physical barrier.

Must-try: The Eau Thermale Spray soothes sensitive skin, increases skin hydration and protects the natural barrier. The Bariederm-Cica Daily Serum with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 helps repair damaged skin and works on barrier repair.