"Parisiens", used as a synonym for beautiful and confident women, do skincare not because they want to look young, but because they want to look healthy. What they want is not clear skin without blemishes or dull skin without wrinkles. It aims for the most natural skin, healthy-looking skin suitable for one's age.
For Parisians, beauty means naturalness. Rather than using a lot of cosmetics to pursue beauty as it is, they prefer quality cosmetics that are really necessary for their skin.
Also, good skin with good cosmetics is the beginning of great makeup. François Nars, a legendary makeup artist and founder of the French cosmetics brand NARS Make-up, emphasizes that "skin care is 50% of makeup."
Then, what are the must-have skin care items in their bathroom? They are cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, and sun cream.
Francois Nars recommended never going to bed without removing makeup and using a cleanser daily. To maximize the effectiveness of other products, you need a clean foundation. A good cleanser will wash away any residue and dead cells from your skin, preparing your skin for the next step. As with any other skincare product, it is important to choose a cleanser that suits your skin type. Therefore, I selected a cleanser suitable for my skin type.
Uriage Hyséac
Uriage is known for making many gentle products for people with sensitive skin. "Hyséac", a gel-type cleansing foam, penetrates deep into the skin and removes impurities neatly.
Caudalie Vinoclean foaming cleanser
Caudalie has developed an eco-friendly cleanser with a vegan, highly natural formula (97% natural ingredients). You can gently cleanse your skin with a soap- and synthetic-free cleansing base. It is suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive skin.
Parisians do not neglect to supply moisture to their skin day and night. French supermodel Cindy Bruna says, "The most important thing before putting on makeup is moisturizing." Moisturizing not only creates a soft base for makeup, but also removes wrinkles and tightens the skin. For this reason, Parisians use toners, serums, and moisturizers to keep their skin hydrated throughout the day.
After cleansing the skin, toner, the first step for moisturizing, not only balances the skin's pH, but also helps prevent acne, and strengthens the skin's surface by removing things that clog pores. It also helps the serum and cream to be applied afterwards to be perfectly absorbed into the skin.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Lotion Astringent Micro-Exfoliante
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Among the essential toners for perfect moisturizing, the recommended product is La Roche-Posay Effaclar Lotion Astringent Micro-Exfoliante. It is specially formulated for oily skin, especially those with large pores who suffer from acne. It not only contains LHA, a skin-active ingredient that cleanses deep into pores, but is also effective in reducing pore size. La Roche-Posay toner effectively removes dirt and less-erased makeup from the skin surface.
Serum, which is good for specific skin problems such as skin aging, fine wrinkles, and pigmentation, aims to increase the absorption rate of basic skin care by penetrating deeper into the skin layer and directly supplying powerful ingredients.
Darphin Intral Serum
Darphin's best-selling Intral Serum instantly reduces redness and discomfort caused by irritated skin. The pleasantly scented formula softens sensitive skin and makes it comfortable and even. It also protects the skin from various harmful environments.
Filorga Serum Hydra-Hyal
Hyaluronic acid is associated with the ability of the skin to maintain adequate moisture, so many products generally contain hyaluronic acid. Filorga Serum Hydra-Hyal intensively supplies moisture and nutrients to the skin to instantly permeate deep into the skin, while refreshingly coating the skin to restore radiance and flexibility. Because it contains 4 types of hyaluronic acid, it makes the skin elastic.
Emulsion Ecologique formule avancée - Ecological Compound Advanced Formula
Let’s start with one of the most iconic products of the brand. The universal Ecological Compound advanced formula adapts to suit the needs of every skin type to help it function optimally. This unique formula, reputed for its successful original complex of five plant extracts (Centella asiatica, Ginseng, Hops, Horsetail, Rosemary), is now enriched with two new key ingredients (Burdock and Meadowsweet extracts). Its pH is as close as possible to that of the skin, and the product is suitable for all skin types.
It promotes a balanced microbiome and stimulates the skin’s natural defense mechanisms (against pollution, smoke, free radicals, etc.), contributes to the optimal activity of the skin’s vital functions, and lastingly hydrates and nourishes the skin to leave it more comfortable and supple. Balanced, strengthened and revitalized, the skin is more resilient and its quality is visibly improved. Its fluid, comfortable, and non-greasy “second-skin” texture leaves the skin matte.
Moisturizing is a word that you must see at least once when you go to a cosmetics store. It is easy to think of a moisturizing cream, but the fact that moisture and moisturizing are completely different. Moisturizing creams are different from moisturizing creams that absorb moisture around the skin because they smoothen the skin texture by increasing the oil content of the skin. So, moisturizing products are essential for healthy skin and help to rejuvenate the skin.
Avene Hydrance Aqua Gel
Avene Hydrance Aqua Gel can be used as a daily cream or night mask and is suitable for all sensitive skin types. It not only moisturizes and soothes the skin, but also has a detoxifying function, so the more you use it, the more radiant and supple your skin becomes. The ingredients of the product contain Avene hot spring water, independently developed Cohedem (an ingredient that replenishes and stores moisture in the skin), dextran sulfate and pretocorefil, which are good for removing skin active oxygen that causes accelerated aging.
Sisleÿa L'Intégral Anti-Âge
Sisleÿa L'Integral Anti-Age fights against the visible signs associated with the three types of aging (behavioral, genetic, and environmental) to provide a truly complete anti-aging formula. Its unique cocktail of key revitalizing ingredients helps support the skin's own youth-enhancing abilities, to better preserve the beauty of the complexion. The results are spectacular on wrinkles, firmness, radiance, density, and hydration, to preserve the skin's beauty. From the first few applications, lines appear smoothed, skin is visibly plumped, and durably moisturized. Signs of fatigue are reduced. After 4 weeks, wrinkles are visibly diminished, the face appears more firm, dense, and radiant. After 8 weeks, the skin glows more as if replenished from the inside.
Parisians pay great attention to sun protection for good skin. "Good makeup always starts with solid sun protection," says French actress and Chanel ambassador Anna Mouglalis. Even in the non-summer season, they use sunscreen all year round to maintain youthful skin. The recommended sunscreen index for effective UV protection is SPF 50. It blocks 98% of UV rays, which is an appropriate level that can be used in daily life without difficulty.
Uriage Bariésun SPF 50 +
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Bariésun of Uriage is the No. 1 sunscreen product sold in France every year. It protects the skin from UV rays and keeps it hydrated. This sunscreen that permeates the skin without stickiness is a product for dry, inflamed or sensitive skin caused by ultraviolet rays.
For skin care such as thorough moisturizing, sun protection, and skin trouble management, Parisians mainly take care of their skin with high-quality French skin care brands. That's why Parisians mostly buy skin care products from pharmacies instead of general cosmetics stores. This is because pharmacies only have products with good ingredients that are suitable for sensitive skin, and since they are run by pharmacists, you can get advice from experts.
Among them, Pharmacy Monge is one of the best pharmacies in Paris with a reputation in France. Located in the heart of Quartier Latin, the Latin Quarter, it is suitable for stopping by while traveling. It is a very popular spot among locals and tourists alike, as it houses a variety of luxury French skincare brands, offering a wide range of choices and prices much cheaper than in other parts of Paris. In addition, the tax refund rate (15%) higher than other pharmacies in Paris can be a great advantage for travelers. In addition, the staff at Pharmacy Monge kindly explain products with specialized knowledge and can speak various languages. There are staff who can speak Korean, so I think it is the best place for Korean travelers. Pharmacy Monge is already cheap, but if you use the O'Bon Paris coupon, you can get an additional 10% discount, so don't forget to download the coupon from the O'Bon Paris website.