Proper skincare is important because our skin is the largest barrier against harmful elements. But the most important is to build your own beauty routine: there are thousands of possibilities according to your skin type, your budget, the time you’re ready to spend every day on it. In this article, we will focus on the main steps to give you some ideas and tips to help you build step by step your own routine.
When buying new products to add to your skincare routine, knowing what your skin type is, is vital to have the best results. If you are unaware of what your skin type is, you can go and see a dermatologist or ask for advice from a pharmacist. The main skin types are: dry skin (the skin often feels tight, and is prone to redness and fine wrinkles), oily skin (tend to be shiny with larger pores, prone to blackheads and blemishes), normal-combination skin (you are likely to have an oily zone around the nose and dry or normal cheeks., and sensitive skin (more delicate, easily irritated)
In the beauty routine below we introduce several products that can suit better certain types of skins or target certain skin issues: in these cases, we will of course mention which kind of skin these products fit better. We have selected only cosmeceuticals, cosmetic products with bioactive ingredients purported to have medical benefits.
If you are interested in discovering and buying French cosmetics, have a look at our special offer here.
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The very first but essential step is cleaning your face. Cleansers remove the build-up of dirt, makeup, oils, dead skin cells… Morning and night, rinse your face with water and rub a small amount of gentle cleanser between clean palms. Massage face wash all over your face using gentle pressure, rinse and gently pat your face dry with a soft towel.
Micellar water is a good choice, especially for sensitive skins. for all skin types. Bioderma créaline H2O is one of the more famous micellar water in the world. To use it, soak a cotton pad then wipe it gently over your skin. Re-apply the micellar solution until the pad becomes clean. There is no need to use water to ‘wash away’ the micellar water.
If you wear makeup, you may need to double cleanse at night. First, remove your makeup with cleansing oil or micellar water. Follow up with a full-face gentle cleanse. Once or twice a week, you can exfoliate your skin to clean pores off dead cells for brighter and smoother skin.
A face toner provides additional cleansing by removing excess dirt, traces of oil and makeup. It also balances the pH of your skin and helps control acne, enhances the skin’s surface by unclogging pores. A toner makes sure your skin is ready to absorb the creams and serums that will follow. Toners are sometimes thought of as optional, but can be a good way for added replenishment to your skin.
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EffaclarMicro-Exfoliating Astringent Lotion of La Roche-Posay is formulated specifically for oily, acne-prone, and large pore skin. It helps cleanse and tighten pores and limits the impact of dirt or makeup on the skin surface. It also includes LHA, an active ingredient that is able to deep clean pores. Generally, toners can be applied with a soft pad or cotton ball.
Serums are a great tool for treating specific skin concerns (acne, skin aging, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, etc.). They penetrate deeper into the skin layers and deliver powerful ingredients directly to the skin.
Hyaluronic acid is directly connected to your skin’s ability to maintain or to retain moisture. Filorga's Serum Hydra-Hyal is an intensive hydrating plumping concentrate, which hydrates the skin immediately from within and restores radiance and suppleness. It contains 4 types of hyaluronic acids to coat the skin. You can apply it daily.
A-Derma Epitheliale AH ultra-restoring and anti-mark cream is perfect to reduce skin marks such as epidermal alterations (wounds, tattoos, burns …) or superficial dermatological operations (such as plastic surgery operations, for instance). Its formula is rich in Cicahyalumide, which helps to reduce marks, and natural extract of Peru creeper which soothes immediately, preventing scratching wounds, that can cause marks. You can apply it 1 or 2 times a day for the best results.
It's also the right time to treat specific skin issues, like eczema. Dexyane Med Soothing Repair Cream (Ducray Laboratories) targets eczema lesions and limits their recurrence. By using a natural formulation with effective active ingredients, this cream is the perfect anti-itch and anti-irritation treatment for your atopic skin, prone to eczema and skin irritation. It works by restoring the altered skin barrier while hydrating your skin and compromising the ability of bacteria to adhere. You can apply it directly to inflammatory eczema, once or twice a day.
Daily moisturizing is vital for healthy skin, and helps Skin Stay Young: your day cream provides hydration throughout the day and it also serves as your ultimate defender towards environmental stresses, damaging sun, and pollution. It also seals in all of the products previously used, plumps up the skin, and smooths fine lines. Again, there are moisturizers designed for different types of skin and skin issues.
Avene Hydrance Aqua Gel can be used as a day cream or a night mask and is suitable for all sensitive skin types. It hydrates, soothes, and detoxifies the skin, which looks more radiant and supple. The moisturizer contains Avène Thermal Spring Water, Cohederm complex (a unique patented active, proven to form water reservoirs in dehydrated skin and replenish the skin barrier) for intense hydration, as well as Dextran sulfate and Pre-tocopheryl, that helps fight free radicals.
Crème Cachemire of the brand Caudalie is an anti-aging face lifting soft cream that contains vine resveratrol (famous for its anti-aging effects) and micro hyaluronic acids to smooth wrinkles and redensify skin. This light cream keeps skin hydrated without feeling heavy or greasy. Anti-aging does not mean that you need to be 50+ to start using it. Actually, the skin aging is different according to your type of skin and way of life but starts from the late ’20s. And it’s better to prevent it before it’s too late!
Crème n°2 Nuage is a facial moisturizer, with anti-redness and anti-stress soothing care. The cream nourishes and hydrates the skin, soothes redness. It helps to restore the skin’s balance and protects it against harmful external aggressions by creating a protective layer over the skin. « Nuage » means cloud in French, which clearly illustrates the lightweight airy texture of the cream.
Finer and more fragile, the skin around the eyes has specific characteristics that require adapted care. The eye contour area is particularly sensitive and wrinkles more quickly as you age.
HormeGold Re-Generation Eye Contour of the Swiss Brand Hormeta is an anti-wrinkle balm for mature and/or very dry skin to fill the loss of tissue structure and reduce the signs of aging. It decongests the most dehydrated eyes, smooths wrinkles, tightens eyelids, and reduces dark circles and bags under the eyes.
To moisturize even more your skin and unify the complexion, you can use coverage products with beautifying effects.
Lift-Structure Radiance of Filorga is an Ultra lifting rosy-glow fluid that enhances the skin via illuminating pearlescent particles. it reveals the skin’s natural radiance and corrects complexion irregularities with its color-control complex. It also has a radical anti-aging and lifting effectiveness that visibly tightens features and plumps the skin.
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Applying sunscreen should be a daily habit all year round, and not only in summer: Sunscreen protects Your Skin from UV rays, lowers your Skin Cancer risk, prevents premature aging of the skin and wrinkles. However, not all sunscreens can fit your skin, especially if you have a sensitive one. It is advised to use SPF 50 sunscreens which blocks 98 percent of UVB rays.
Cosmeceuticals are a French specialty. Once you have arrived in the magnificent Paris, you can find all these products in pharmacies such as Monge Beauty shop, which is one of the best French beauty shops in Paris that has a large variety of products. You can use the O'bon Paris coupon to shop there or order your products online. Click here to see the details of our exclusive offer.
Words and Photographs by Thanh Thuy Phan
Parapharmacie Monge Notre Dame
Address : 78 rue Monge, 75005 Paris
Opening Hours: Every day 8:00-20:00