We’re snooping inside your favourite beauty lover’s shopping bags in our Pretty Pennies Hauls! Each month, we’re challenging makeup artists, dermatologists and content creators to spend their Pretty Pennies, and we’re sharing their beauty buys and bargains with you…

Who better to give us skincare shopping inspiration than a skinfluencer – it’s their job to test all the latest and greatest skincare products, so you don’t have to! Just in time for our French Pharmacy promotion, we asked Jason, creator of the Skincare and Science community, to share the French formulas he recommends. Jason’s mission is to ‘find effective skincare’ so you can rest assured that each of his picks will deliver results!

1. An SPF You Won’t Hate Using

Eucerin Sun Oil Control Gel-Cream SPF50+

“This sunscreen is easily my favourite that is stocked at Escentual and regularly appears in my Hall of Fame because it meets a very simple goal for me when it comes to sunscreen, in that I never hate to use it. Suitable for all skin types, the non-greasy gel-cream texture glides onto the skin effortlessly, leaving no hint of a white cast and, most importantly, doesn’t irritate my eyes throughout the day. I’m realistic when a sunscreen calls itself ‘oil control’ or ‘mattifying’; however, most contain oil-absorbing ingredients. They’ve still got creamy textures, so the best you can hope for is something that looks natural and doesn’t add a tonne of shine by lunchtime – this hits the mark. I will forever repurchase this gem for a simple ‘one and done’ product to use every morning without any fuss.”

2. A Multi-Tasking Serum

Vichy LiftActiv Specialist B3 Serum

“Formulated with 5% Niacinamide, Vitamin CG, and Glycolic acid, this serum from Vichy helps improve the appearance of dark spots, pigmentation and wrinkles and leaves skin tone looking more even. This is a great product because it combines several well-studied active ingredients in one application, rather than needing to use 2-3 different products to achieve the same end goal. Multi-tasking wonder products are always a staple in my skincare arsenal.”

3. A Fail-Safe Cleanser

Bioderma Sensibio Mild Cleansing Foaming Gel 

“I firmly believe that every skincare routine should start with a solid cleanser. It doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg or have all the bells and whistles – it simply needs to cleanse the day off your skin and not strip out essential moisture, affecting the skin’s natural barrier. In the morning, I prefer to rinse my skin with water, but by evening, I always use a foaming gel cleanser, such as Bioderma’s Sensibio Foaming Gel. It’s fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types. Best of all, I tend only to use a half pump per application, making a bottle last a very long time.”

4. A Skin-Saving Barrier Balm

Pharmaceris Emotopic Emollient Barrier Cream

“As I use a heavy-hitting, prescription-strength retinoid (Tretinoin) in my evening skincare routine, I need an occlusive moisturiser that can seal hydration into my skin and prevent dryness and flaking. This cream from Pharmaceris is a true ‘barrier balm’ that has saved my skin during several drier, flaky spells and is one that I now always keep at hand for evening use. It’s fragrance-free and non-greasy but offers substantial hydration and a decadent comforting veil to the skin, making it perfect for combination to dry skins.”

5. An Antioxidant Boost, For Anti-Ageing

Avene A-Oxitive Antioxidant Defense Serum

“For those looking to product against signs of visible skin ageing, an antioxidant-loaded product (in combination with SPF) is your every morning BFF. Avene’s A-Oxitive Serum contains a gentle derivative of Vitamin C, which is my preferred way to get my hit of Vitamin C, as my skin doesn’t tolerate the ingredient in its purest form particularly well. I also notice this product slowly working on minor pigmentation issues over time. Not essential if you’re a skincare minimalist, but a great addition!”

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