If you need inspiration for a rewarding self-care routine, look no further than a French woman’s bathroom cabinet. They’ve been doing the thing for centuries, long before “self-care” was a buzzword.

As a beauty product junkie myself, moving to France meant discovering a whole new world of small-label beauty brands — many of them “green” (no synthetic ingredients, plant-based, organic).

Here’s a list of favorites I’ve discovered over the years, all of them worth of stocking up on the next time you’re in France.

PS: I share lots more French favorites on Instagram, so follow along if you like what you see here!

Note: most of these brands can be ordered online (in Europe) and others are available at shops in Paris, which I’ve noted below.

The Top Clean French Skincare Brands:

1. Make it Beauty:

This Bordeaux-based green beauty company makes plant-based, nontoxic face oils and candles. Check out their gift sets too!

2. Oden

Using all organic plant ingredients grown in France, Oden creates beautiful face and body oils. Try their Sérum Vitaminé for instantly glowy skin.

3. Heloise

With just 3 products in their lineup, Heloise is a truly artisanal French beauty brand. Created by French health & lifestyle guru, Heloise Monchablon, I discovered her aptly named “La Lumineuse” face oil on Instagram and have been using it daily for an extra glow. It smells as lovely as it looks!

4. Comette Cosmetics

Organic & ethically sourced beauty products with some cosmic magic sprinkled in. Comette’s collection includes bath salts, body balms and plant infused skincare remedies like the luscious “Full Moon” anit-age cream.

5. HeLhem

100% French, clean, and cruelty-free, HeLehm has a small but mighty collection of skincare products inspired by Greek goddesses. My personal favorite is the Olympe night retinol balm, with calendula & vitamin A. Plus, their minimalist black packaging is très classy.

6. Ballot-Flurin 

Ballot-Flurin’s specialty is bees, and they’ve created a propolis-powered lineup of clean beauty products that are almost good enough to eat. Try the velvetty, no-rinse honey scrub (Gommage Grain de Miel), which gently exfoliates dead skin without dehydrating.

7. Saève

Saeve is one of the more “mainstream” & affordable clean French skincare products you’ll find in many health stores in Paris. Cult favorites are the Serum Botanique Booster Eclat Anti-Tache (a brightening serum) and Creme Nuit Peau Parfait (perfecting night cream).

8. Typology

Born in 2019, Typology already is winning the hearts of Frenchies with their ultra-minimalist approach to skincare — think of them as a more affordable Aesop.. Their peppermint hydrosol and rosehip & carrot oil brightening scrub are staples in my weekly routine.

9. Clemence & Vivien 

I’m a big fan of their multi-usage balms, for face and body. It’s one of the few products that I’ve found can heal ultra-dry winter time skin. Try the fleurs d’ete scent, to transport you to summertime in Provence.

10. Les Petits Prodiges

These natural deodorants & plant-based body balms come direct from the south of France. The Citron is a fan favorite, and perfect for sweaty summer days in Paris.

11. Savonnier Patissier 

Want your bathroom to smell like a French patisserie? Then stock up on Savonnier Patissier’s decadent collection of handmade soaps. These little works of art make a perfect, lightweight gift to bring home (or keep for yourself — no judgement!)

12. Le Bagneur

Let’s not forget the hommes! Le Bagneur makes artisan French skincare for men. Their main game is soaps, but they make their own face oils and shaving products too. Visit their cute boutique in Paris’ 11th arrondissement.

Where to buy clean French beauty products in Paris:

If you don’t have time to hunt down specific brands & boutiques, head to one of these clean beauty dealers where you’ll find a range of clean beauty products & brands, all in one place.

Oh My Cream

I highly recommend making a visit to one of Oh My Cream’s beautifully curated boutiques, where you’ll find the best clean beauty brands from France and beyond. They stock usual suspects like Tata Harper and Indie Lee, but some lesser known French brands, as well. Their customer service is remarkably better than at megastores like Sephora, so prepare for friendly, individualised attention and generous samples with every purchase.

Madamoiselle Bio

Like Sephora for green lifestyle products, Mademoiselle Bio is worth a look if you want to check out the full range of (mostly-French) beauty & wellness brands out there. They have a few shops throughout Paris, and an e-shop too.

Naturalia

This is Monoprix’s organic grocery chain, so you’ll find their red storefronts all over France (and plenty in Paris). Besides being a great place for healthy food, you’ll also find a large selection of natural French beauty products.

Phew, now you’ve got some shopping to do! While you’re at it, check out my Shopping in Paris list, featuring 16 French brands you won’t find back home.

Take care, or as the French say — “Prends soins de toi”! xo

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