I Studied the Skincare Routines of French and British Women—Here’s What I Learnt

If there’s one thing I trust any French person with, it’s skincare. I’m sure you know by now that France is home to some of the best skincare brands on the market, from Bioderma to La Roche-Posay and Caudalie. Not only that, but whenever I meet anyone from France, they always seem to have impeccable skin. I’ve been desperate to recreate that effortless, Parisian-looking glow, but as someone who lives in the UK and is constantly battling changing weather, central heating, hard water (thank you, London) and more, it’s safe to say that my skin is feeling a little bit worse for wear at the moment. However, in a bid to turn things around for the new year, I decided to reach out to a French skincare expert to see what the main differences are between French and British skincare, and see how I can incorporate some changes into my routine. I spoke to Seth Catalano, UK and Ireland’s head of education at Caudalie (one of my favourite French skincare brands), so keep on scrolling to see what he had to say…

First things first, I was keen to find out why French skincare has become so popular over the years. According to Catalano, this is all down to its simplicity. “French skincare, much like French fashion, exudes effortlessness and confidence,” he says. “It promises results without the demand of a strict or confusing regimen. You don’t have to compromise; French skincare is accessible, results-driven, and a joy to use.”

I couldn’t agree more. Back when I was a teenager, I was trying everything and anything on my skin to clear up my spots and help balance my oily complexion. However, after getting some much-needed help on the subject, I stripped everything back and used a simple skincare routine from only three brands: La-Roche Posay, Avène and Caudalie. It was only later, once my skin had finally settled, that I found out these brands were in fact French pharmacy staples, and they’ve remained in my collection ever since thanks to their results-driven formulas.

So, what are the differences between French and British skincare, and how can we change our routines to get that Parisian glow? “I’ve observed that British skincare is often driven by newness and trends,” says Catalano. In contract to this, he says that French skincare is driven by results and experience. “It is a matter of excitement vs. enrichment. There is certainly room for both, but I know I will always fall back on my French skincare favorites!”

As a beauty editor, I know that sometimes it can feel overwhelming trying to navigate all of the different skincare trends out there, and after watching videos on TikTok, it can sometimes seem as if you need hundreds of products in your routine in order to see results. If you want to follow more of a French-inspired skincare routine, then it’s time to forget these trends and focus on what works for you. Choose products that feel good on the skin and deliver results, instead of new, trending items that might not work for your skin type.

In terms of creating your own French-inspired skincare routine, Catalano says to build your routine in the order you would apply the products. “At Caudalie, we start by balancing the skin through gentle cleansing and toning to welcome the best results from the treatment steps. Remember that French skincare combines clinical results with the pleasure of self-care.”

And his top tip when it comes to skincare? “Above all, the key to the best results is prevention. Invest in formulas with clinical research and never forget sun-protection!“

I don’t know about you, but after writing that, I’m feeling inspired to switch up my routine, so keep on scrolling to shop some of my French pharmacy favourites…