Out of All of the French Skincare Brands, This One Is by Far the Most Underrated

July 14, 2020 at 05:58PM

When it comes to French skincare, I’m all in. Any product that promises to give that naturally radiant, smooth-as-butter, signature French complexion goes straight in my basket. And the truth is, while so many skincare products fail to live up to my (albeit exceptionally high) expectations, French brands just seem to get it right every single time.

My skin is sensitive but prone to congestion and excess oil on my T-zone, and trying to find products that strike a healthy balance between purifying and non-aggressive has always been tough. For years, I have relied on French skincare brands such as La Roche-Posay and Bioderma to keep my skin from either breaking out in blackheads or breaking out in red irritation. With help from La Roche-Posay’s expert-approved Toleriane range and Bioderma’s Sébium, I have always managed to keep things in check.

But not so long ago, I realised that in all of my attempts to keep my skin from flaring up, it had lost its glow. It was clear and even, sure, but it lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. I needed some form of lightweight hydration to inject some life back into my tired complexion, so I started phasing in different moisturisers and serums. While some turned my skin red and sore, most broke me out. Until I remembered an old classic from, you guessed it, another French skincare brand.

In the depths of my cupboard, I pulled out a long-forgotten bottle of Vichy Minéral 89 Serum (£25). Lightweight, cooling and jam-packed with hyaluronic acid and thermal water, it truly does deliver that glowing, French-girl complexion that us sensitive-skinned people dream of every time we apply our skincare. And this got me thinking, why don’t I champion Vichy products in the same way I do its fellow French pharmacy brands?

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And I think the truth is that whereas other French skincare heroes in my cabinet cater to congestion (and therefore offer up visually dramatic results), Vichy is the more modest, quiet underdog. Formulated with the brand’s signature thermal spa water that’s rich in minerals and antioxidants, Vichy products as a whole are healing, soothing, refreshing and, most importantly, radiance-boosting.

But that’s not to say that it doesn’t offer up some hard-hitters, too. Take for instance its Normaderm range, which helps to tackle blemishes with minimal irritation, and let us not forget about the famous Dermablend, a high-coverage makeup line with the ability to camouflage even the most intense of rosacea flare-ups.

So yes, since falling back in love with my hero Vichy products, I think it’s fair for me to conclude by saying that, frankly, Vichy deserves a little more credit. It might not be the most commonly recommended brand by dermatologists and it definitely doesn’t make any miracle claims, but if you ask me, it’s the closest thing to French-girl skin in a bottle that I’ve ever found.

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Next up, the best face masks for every single skin concern.

Author Shannon Lawlor | Whowhatwear
Selected by CWC