As the new year begins, the Escentual Beauty Team have been exploring all things French. As it’s part of our French Pharmacy month – in which all of these brands are a third off until January 31st! – we wanted to show you what we’ve been loving and share with you our recent discoveries.
If you’re spoilt for choice with what we have available, then take a look through our recommendations to help you find your new must-have. From skincare to body care to hair care, read on to find out what’s got the Beauty Team talking this January…
1. The Bubble Mask
Caitlin
Product Pick: PAYOT Peeling Bubble Mask
Why is this your French Pharmacy favourite? Simply put, this is my French Pharmacy favourite because I love how clear and glowing my skin feels afterwards! The detoxifying mask lifts away pollution – which is perfect if you live in the city – and dirt as it oxygenates the skin. It’s a 5-minute solution that provides a natural chemical exfoliation using a cocktail of fruit acids – including blueberry, orange, lemon and raspberry – to exfoliate and illuminate skin. Once you try it, I’m sure the Bubble Mask will become one of your favourites too!
What’s something special about this product that makes it different I love when you can actually feel a product working, and when the light, foamy bubbles sparkle on the skin you can just tell all the nasties and impurities from daily life are being zapped away. The pink gel erupts into a fizzing texture which adds a fun touch to my weekly face mask routine.
2. The Reimagined Skin Soothing Icon
Kate
Product Pick: Eucerin Aquaphor Body Ointment Spray
Why is this your French Pharmacy favourite? If you read our blog regularly, then the chances are you’ve probably heard me rave about Eucerin’s Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm. So, when I heard that there was a new addition to the range – a spray version, no less – I couldn’t wait to try it.
I love the original Aquaphor balm; it’s really hydrating and perfect for dry to very dry skin. I’ve even got my parents hooked on it! I was pleasantly surprised to find that the spray still has a balmy feel to it as you massage it in, while it gets to work on moisturising, healing and soothing skin.
If you’re a fan of the original balm, then you’ll probably get just as excited as I have about the new Body Ointment Spray.
What’s something special about this product that makes it different? The spray bottle distributes a fine, even layer of the formula – making it ideal for larger patches of dry, irritated skin – and the spray even has a 360° reach. This means that the bottle can be used upside down (which is perfect for those hard-to-reach places.)
3. The Skin-Quenching Moisturiser
Ceryn
Product Pick: Vichy Aqualia Volcano Drop
Why is this your French Pharmacy favourite?
The Aqualia Volcano Drop is the perfect moisturiser; it’s as simple as that. It’s intensely hydrating but extremely lightweight as if you’re wearing nothing at all.
I have very dry, eczema-prone skin, so I usually have to opt for rich, thick creams to get the moisture I need, but not anymore. Volcano Drop may have a light, silky texture but it’s packed with hydration that makes the ideal primer for makeup or glowy bare-faced base. Inside the formula, hyaluronic acid, squalane and Vichy Volcanic Water keep skin hydrated for up to 48 hours.
What’s something special about this product that makes it different?
It provides far more hydration than you’d expect from its light, water-like texture, which is a dream come true if you’re tired of heavy moisturisers. I love mixing a small amount of my foundation in with it to create my very own tinted moisturiser!
4. The Hair-Strengthening Capsules
Chelsey
Product Pick: Klorane Keratin Caps Strength & Vitality Hair and Nails
Why is this your French Pharmacy favourite? Dietary supplements are new to me; but as soon as I found out the Klorane Keratin Caps were launching in the UK, I emailed their marketing team straight away to get my hands on some. Lockdown has made my nails brittle and my hair flat, and this the answer I’ve been waiting for.
I’ve been taking one a day for a couple of weeks now, and my nails feel stronger already. My hair has become less porous (years of peroxide has ruined it) – I highly recommend these capsules to anyone looking for a beauty vitality boost!
What’s something special about this product that makes it different? They help you achieve strong and healthy nails and hair from the inside out – plus, blow drying my hair takes half the time now!
Reviewed: 7 Bloggers Test The Klorane Quinine Keratin Fortifying Spray
5. The Correcting Serum
Lis
Product Pick: Bioderma Pigmentbio C-Concentrate
Why is this your French Pharmacy favourite?
If you’re a regular reader, my pick won’t come as a surprise to you. This was my all-time favourite product of 2020 and has gone straight to the top of my French Pharmacy favourites, too. Looking back on pictures of myself prior to introducing this brightening serum I can definitely see the difference, my pigmentation marks (both sun damage and scarring) have reduced significantly and my skin looks more uniform and glowing. I’m putting this down to the fresh vitamin C and Bioderma’s Lumireveal™ technology that has worked wonders on my complexion. If you fancy seeing the before and after photos, I’ve written a full review on the Pigmentbio range here:
What’s something special about this product that makes it different?
Unlike some vitamin C formulations, this one can also be used on sensitive skin. Use it only before bed, and be consistent, making sure you use it every night.
How I Reduced my Pigmentation in 4 Weeks Using Bioderma Pigmentbio
6. The Repairing Hand Cream
Keavy
Product Pick: Avene Cicalfate Restorative Hand Cream
Why is this your French Pharmacy favourite?
Now more than ever I’ve been reaching for hand cream due to overwashing and hand sanitizing, and you may feel the same?
Like most, I’m finding that while the hand creams are helping combat the dryness, my hands tend to feel greasy, tacky and aren’t soothed afterwards! Luckily, I recently discovered the Avene Cicalfate Hand which has been a life-line in this bitterly cold month. I love how my hands feel quenched and calmed after using it – they never feel sticky, I carry one in my bag at all times, so I can top up throughout the day!
What’s something special about this product that makes it different? I love the powdery sensation that the cream leaves; I can only describe it as after you’ve just applied talc – soft, dry and clean!
Over to you…
What French Pharmacy product have you discovered this month? Let us know using the hashtag #MyEscentual Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
