When it comes to SOS skincare, the French Pharmacy’s aisles are chock-full of superpowered treasures. And what other time of year are you more in need of instantaneous calm and comfort than in winter? The two go hand in hand, which is why we’ve brought back our French Pharmacy Skincare Event throughout the month of January! You can save up to 1/3rd off your favourite French Pharmacy brands all month long, including La Roche-Posay, Darphin, Vichy, Eucerin and Avene.
If your skin is in need of a rescue operation after the festivities of Christmas and New Year, it’s time to top up your winter skincare stash with hardworking gems that will keep you going through to spring. Take a few tips from this intrepid team of heroes below, so that you can step into the New Year looking and feeling your best self – for less!
1) The Overnight SOS
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Overnight
Winter can be a rough time for sensitive skin – quite literally! The temperature fluctuations and harsh weather do a number on the equilibrium of your skin, making it sore, rough and pretty unhappy.
With Toleriane Ultra Overnight, La Roche-Posay takes a different approach to the treatment of sensitivity; it works to repair skin overnight and improve its barrier function so that it’s better able to protect itself the next day. The result is a lightweight but seriously effective cream that cocoons skin in blissful calm.
2) Tired Eye Reviver
Sure, you’ve heard of masks for your face. But what about a mask specifically for your eye contour? After all, the thin and delicate skin around your eyes has a really tough time of it during the winter months, what with all of the late nights, eye rubbing and central heating.
The Darphin Sorbet Eye Mask strikes all the right notes with its lightweight and ultra-pleasurable cream-gel texture, cooling feel and long-lasting moisturising effects. Apply it before bed time and let it do its thing overnight, and wake up to a brighter, more radiant eye area with minimum effort.
3) The Snuffly Nose Saviour
It’s impossible to escape the sniffles at the moment! If you’ve been struck down with a runny nose and sneezing fits (who hasn’t?), Eucerin Aquaphor will be as essential to you as a box of tissues. It’s the ultimate winter skincare holy grail.
Every time you wipe and rub at your nose, you irritate the delicate skin around your nostrils and they can become red raw – not very glamorous. Aquaphor is the barrier protection that you need to prevent the soreness, with a rich balmy texture that will soothe even cracked skin. It’s also great for chapped lips, ashy elbows and knees, split cuticles… it’s even gentle enough for babies. Talk about a multi-tasker.
4) Dry Hair Support
Rene Furterer Absolue Keratine Ultimate Renewal Mask
In summer I tend to let my hair air dry. But in winter? Give me all of the toasty warmth of a hairdryer, please! It’s never good to overdo it with the heated appliances, so you’ll need to compensate for the extra strain on your hair with plenty of extra nourishment. Rene Furterer has the answer: the Absolue Keratin range, created specifically for stressed-out, damaged and brittle hair.
The product that you’ll see an immediate difference with is the Absolue Keratine Ultimate Renewal Mask, a rich and creamy treatment that gives hair a deep infusion of keratin and plant oils. You’ll have your bounce back in no time! See Chelsey’s full review here.
5) The Winter-Proof Mascara
La Roche-Posay Respectissime Waterproof Extreme Hold Mascara
If you’re the type of person who usually forgoes mascara because your eyes are just too sensitive, then I have brilliant news for you. La Roche-Posay has brought their Respectissime eye makeup range to the UK, and it’s every bit as brilliant as you’d expect from the experts of sensitive skin.
The Waterproof Extreme Hold Mascara won’t run, smudge or flake, ensuring that your eyes are a redness-free zone, even when the rain is lashing down. Its combination of texturising waxes make it perfect for building volume and length, resulting in some super fluttery lashes.
6) The Post-Shower Treat
Nuxe Prodigieux Beautifying Scented Body Lotion
Winter isn’t always about functional skincare – it’s also the perfect time to indulge in a little luxury! Nuxe’s Prodigieux collection borrows its inspiration from the iconic Huile Prodigieuse dry oil (also known as Nuxe’s most famous product), which has the most sumptuous fragrance and texture.
This icon has spawned the matching Prodigieux Eau de Parfum, the Prodigieux Shower Oil, and now, the Prodigieux Beautifying Scented Body Lotion. This lightweight milk provides intense hydration infused with 8 oils, while its delicious scent of orange blossom, gardenia, vanilla and coconut milk will bring a touch of summer to your bathroom.
7) The Does-It-All Mask Wardrobe
I talk about this collection of masks quite a lot, so bear with me if this is the nth time you’ve heard about them… but they’re just so good! Winter is the perfect time of year to revisit the Vichy Mask Collection, as they’ll address most skin concerns that you’ll come up against during the season.
Slather on the Quenching Mineral Mask for instant comfort without the weight, the Double Glow Peel Mask to revive the radiance of your skin with both chemical and physical exfoliators, and the Pore Purifying Clay Mask to regulate excess oiliness and reduce pore size.
Over to you!
What are your winter skincare favourites from the French pharmacy’s aisles?
