Who Doesn’t Want to be Like the French “It” Girl?
If you are anything like me, you may have found yourself obsessing over all things French. From their chic fashion, effortless but styled hair, and fresh and clean skincare and makeup the French have truly elevated the simple to the je ne sais quoi that every “it” girl strives for these days. I have followed suit and am here to share my current French-inspired skincare routine.
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The “French Way”
The true art of doing things the “French way” is all about moderation. They don’t do many extreme things. Even their diets and exercise routines are straightforward with variety but natural and low impact approaches.
As I have gotten older I have found that I have naturally begun to simplify my life. Whether it’s my skincare routine, the makeup I wear, the clothing choices I make, or the types of exercises I’m a fan of these days everything has seemed to organically go the French way shall we say.
A few years ago I began to move away from a full face of makeup to a more natural approach. I prioritized my skincare and with that my whole routine changed.
As I researched trusted and quality brands of skincare and makeup I found that my new approach matched that of many French women. I kept seeing French brands come up in my internet searches and a relatively recent surge of general societal interest in the States of the French approach to these topics.
It’s no surprise. In recent years the makeup world has moved more toward natural looks and an interest in prioritizing good skin because of it. Since the French are known for this approach they have become the popular ideal here in the States.
Let’s Talk Skincare
Before I get into the French way of skincare I want to discuss the history of my skin. For years I had pretty average combination type skin. I had typical occasional acne in high school which I am sure was purely hormonal. Other than a pimple here or there or a few blackheads now and again my skin overall was good.
Then I hit my early thirties and boom everything changed. I thought the older you got the less likely you were to get acne, but turns out I was wrong. Not only was I wrong, but late twenties and early thirties is a popular time for women to get acne actually.
At the time, and what I believe to be a large contributor to my skin issues, was my work schedule. I began working what they called the “hell” shift at the police department I was working at. The “hell” shift or split shift as I called it was terrible. I worked three days a week 4 PM to 12 AM, then had one day off, then worked two days from 12 AM to 8 AM then had another day off.
Not only was my schedule bonkers but a new home was being built right outside my bedroom window all day long. What did all this mean for me? I got absolutely no sleep for months on end. All the things that occur metabolically when you sleep were not happening in their normal state for me. What did this look like on the outside? Damaged hair, skin, and nails. It was a rough time.
My Newfound Skincare Interest
With all this chaos in my routine my skin took one of the biggest hits of all. I found myself with deep, painful, and terrible looking cystic acne mostly on my cheeks. When the acne finally vanished it would leave behind pink marks, scarring, and even some pitted scars. I began feeling incredibly self-conscious about my face and it led me to hiding behind a mask of makeup.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved doing makeup. I grew up in the era of watching influencers on YouTube teaching full glam makeup tutorials so I was all about it. It was also at a time that full faced makeup was incredibly popular. I became pretty good at makeup and frequently received compliments when I went out and about. Despite the compliments I wasn’t happy with my skin. Something had to change.
I suddenly began a deep dive into learning about all things skincare. I learned A LOT! I’m far from being a dermatologist but I feel amongst my friends and family like I am a dermatologist in training with how many questions I am asked and suggestions and recommendations I give.
Creating an Initial Skincare Routine
When I began my skincare research I stumbled upon a well-known YouTuber Dr. Dray. If you haven’t watched her channel you should! She is insanely knowledgeable and I love that she researches thoroughly and uses research studies and statistics to support her information and opinions on skincare. She also does not blindly follow popular trends and often goes against some of the most popular (and most expensive) products on the market.
Dr. Dray has some excellent videos that breakdown skincare routines by age groups such as twenties, thirties, and forties. Through my research from her videos, a couple of other dermatologists I found on YouTube, and general research I did via the internet I created a basic skincare routine that hit all the general and my personal needs.
What Skincare Products Do You Really Need?
At the end of the day, a person really does not need much when it comes to skincare products. The most important skincare products are a good cleanser and a good SPF. Thanks to all the sunscreen products out there these days, if you choose wisely, they can do more than just protect your skin from the sun. They can be your moisturizer, and may even contain some helpful active ingredients that you may want too.
What is an active you might be wondering? An active is anything additional in your skincare routine that actively (see what I did there?) targets a specific concern you may have, for example, hyperpigmentation, aging, acne, etc. You don’t NEED an active in your skincare routine, but they can be helpful and are often what people are most interested in. Let’s face it, most of us have some issue with our skin that we would like to fix.
My Personal Skincare Routine
Personally, my skincare concerns have primarily been acne and anti-aging. Because of this hydration and sun protection are key for both issues. The more hydration the better for fighting against aging. We also all by this point have probably heard about the immense damage the sun can have on our skin making the SPF a non-negotiable.
When it came to building my skincare routine I knew I needed a good cleanser, intense hydration via ingredients like hyaluronic acid and a solid moisturizer, an active ingredient morning and night such as vitamin C, Q10, or even some form of retinol, and skin protection through a good SPF. My skin is sensitive so I need all fragrance-free products and have to be specific on formulations that are hydrating but not too heavy or I will break out. I have also been pregnant, postpartum, and hoping to become pregnant again meaning I need pregnancy friendly products in my routine too.
This led me to the following routine:
Morning:
My morning routine’s main focus is on refreshing my skin from the night’s sleep and brightening up my complexion while protecting it from the environment throughout the day. While I do cleanse my face, if you have very dry skin a splash of water will do versus cleansing your face. I don’t scrub my face in the morning but simply do a quick wash and rinse. The night routine is saved for more cleansing and gentle exfoliation. All of the products below are listed in the order that I use them.
Cleanser –
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser – CeraVe is an excellent skincare brand. It is widely recommended by dermatologists, supports the skin barrier, brings hydration while also cleanliness, and is affordable and easily accessible as a drug-store staple.
Toner –
Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner – Years ago toners were all the rage, but I don’t hear about them nearly as much as I used to. The French do like toners though – and so do I! When more skincare products became PH balanced toners became less popular, but I still find that a good toner drastically helps my skin stay clearer and more hydrated. I love putting this on right before sealing in the moisture with my hyaluronic acid and moisturizer. I do recommend one that is alcohol free to avoid skin dryness but I have found that even stubborn acne or skin irritation can be calmed with a good toner. In the summer months after working out it is an excellent choice to use to get rid of or prevent things like bacne (back acne) too.
Hyaluronic Acid –
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Cream – Most people have probably now heard of transdermal water loss which occurs when wet skin begins to dry. As wet skin dries, it pulls moisture from the skin, leaving it increasingly dry. That is why, for instance, the more frequently you wash your hands the more dry they get. To slow the process of transdermal water loss – especially if you plan to apply an active ingredient – you need time to keep the moisture in your skin before you apply your moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid is an excellent way to slow transdermal water loss and this specific formulation is refreshing and moisturizing with a good fragrance free option.
Vitamin C –
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum – For my main active ingredient in the morning, as I recommend using one in the morning and one at night, Vitamin C is a great option. One note, you can use more than one active at a time, but make sure that they don’t cancel one another out or have an interaction with one another. Vitamin C is a solid ingredient for protecting against free radicals and environmental damage. It can also brighten your skin, fade dark spots, and can potentially even boost collagen. Vitamin C can be finicky, as it can be a challenge to get it to properly absorb into the skin so I recommend finding a reputable company with good research studies to support the efficacy of the product. CeraVe is a good and trusted company with thorough research studies.
Moisturizer –
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream – This moisturizer is phenomenal. I use it both morning and night because it is heavy enough to be the extra hydration I need while I sleep but it dries down nicely to be lightweight enough for daytime use. This is another product that is fragrance free and safe to use even as an eye cream and on your neck. This is also a body moisturizer which means you get a ton of bang for your buck. I only use this as a facial moisturizer so it lasts me a really long time!
Sunscreen –
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 50) – La Roche-Posay is a well-known and reputable brand. I love that this SPF is hydrating, tinted so you don’t get that pesky white cast, and it is SPF 50 which is a higher amount of protection.
Bonus:
A few items and techniques I have added to my morning skincare routine are as follows –
Vaseline – I have begun to use Vaseline on my face and body. It adds excellent protection to the skin barrier and gives my skin a sheen that gives me a healthy glow. It is also useful to use for lymphatic drainage which is a new addition to my routine.
Lymphatic Drainage – I have begun doing a slight amount of abdominal and facial lymphatic drainage. I found a few different videos on YouTube and created a short routine that I utilize each morning as the last step to my skincare routine.
Body Skincare – When I first became pregnant I began using Neutrogena Fragrance Free Body Oil and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream on areas that were prone to stretchmarks. For full body skincare I use the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion and CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen for Body (SPF 50).
Night:
After the day is done I am ready to rinse off the day and go to bed clean and hydrated. My primary focus for my nighttime skincare routine is cleansing my face, especially if I have worn makeup, and gentle exfoliation which can simply be done using your hands and fingertips. You don’t need a harsh exfoliator. If you wish to have further exfoliation you could use a gentle acid in your routine. After I have thoroughly cleansed my skin it is all about hydration. I also focus on anti-aging products at night such as Q10 which is a great pregnancy friendly option. I have also recently added in red light therapy too!
* Many of the products I use in my morning routine are also used at night. If the products are the same in my morning routine as night I have added an asterisk (*) next to them.
Makeup Remover –
Simple Kind To Skin Cleansing Wipes – I realize makeup removing wipes can come with some hate and I would like to find a different product to remove makeup; however, these wipes are gentle on my skin, work well, and I don’t use them too frequently as I don’t wear makeup every day. At some point I hope to find a balm or something that I like, but my eyes are extremely sensitive so for now I like using these wipes for removing makeup.
* Double Cleanser –
Neutrogena Fragrance Free Body Oil – While this product is part of my body skincare routine in the mornings it is also used on my face in the evenings as my double cleanser. I highly recommend double cleansing. Even on nights that I don’t wear makeup I still enjoy double cleansing. It is an excellent way to cleanse my face, get rid of the remnants of SPF, and it adds a boost of moisture too.
* Cleanser –
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser – CeraVe is an excellent skincare brand. It is widely recommended by dermatologists, supports the skin barrier, brings hydration while also cleanliness, and is affordable and easily accessible as a drug-store staple.
* Toner –
Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner – Years ago toners were all the rage, but I don’t hear about them nearly as much as I used to. The French do like toners though – and so do I! When more skincare products became PH balanced toners became less popular, but I still find that a good toner drastically helps my skin stay clearer and more hydrated. I love putting this on right before sealing in the moisture with my hyaluronic acid and moisturizer. I do recommend one that is alcohol free to avoid skin dryness but I have found that even stubborn acne or skin irritation can be calmed with this. In the summer months after working out it is an excellent choice to use to get rid of or prevent things like bacne (back acne) too.
* Hyaluronic Acid –
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Cream – Most people have probably now heard of transdermal water loss which occurs when wet skin begins to dry. As wet skin dries moisture is actually drawn from the skin leaving skin increasingly set to become drier and drier. That is why the more frequently you wash your hands the more dry they get. To slow the process of transdermal water loss – especially if you plan to apply an active ingredient – you need time to keep the moisture in your skin before you apply your moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid is an excellent way to slow transdermal water loss and this specific formulation is refreshing and moisturizing with a good fragrance free option.
* Moisturizer –
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream – This moisturizer is phenomenal. I use it both morning and night because it is heavy enough to be the extra hydration I need while I sleep but it dries down nicely to be lightweight enough for daytime use. This is another product that is fragrance free and safe to use even as an eye cream and on your neck. This is also a body moisturizer which means you get a ton of bang for your buck. I only use this as a facial moisturizer so it lasts me a really long time!
Anti-Aging –
Eucerin Face Q10 Revitalize Daily Cream – I used to use Differin gel for an affordable and easy accessible first step toward a retinoid. Retinol, such as Differin, can be too harsh for thinner skin such as the skin on our necks so I used Q10 as a good alternative on my neck. When my husband and I got married; however, and knew we may get pregnant I dropped the retinol from my routine as it is generally not thought to be pregnancy safe. I quickly began searching for anti-aging alternatives and while Q10 is not the same as retinol it does have anti-aging benefits. I moved from just using it on my neck to using it all over my face.
Bonus:
A few items and techniques I have added to my morning skincare routine are as follows –
* Vaseline – I have begun to use Vaseline on my face and body. It adds excellent protection to the skin barrier and gives my skin a sheen that gives me a healthy glow. It is also useful to use for lymphatic drainage was is a new addition to my routine.
* Lymphatic Drainage – I have begun doing a slight amount of abdominal and facial lymphatic drainage. I found a few different videos on YouTube and created a short routine that I utilize each morning as the last step to my skincare routine.
Body Skincare – (* Some of these products are the same as my morning routine but a few are different). When I first became pregnant I began using Neutrogena Fragrance Free Body Oil and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream on areas that were prone to stretchmarks. For full body skincare I use the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream.
Red Light Therapy – I have been wanting to add red light therapy into my skincare routine for quite a while now. Many research studies and doctors support the benefits of red light therapy. Because it is now a procedure you can do from home it is becoming pretty popular. It helps with collagen production and inflammation making it not only great for anti-aging but also for acne and even issues such as eczema can benefit from some red light therapy. I have only been using it for about a week but so far so good! After much research, the red light therapy mask I decided to go with is the Omnilux Contour Face mask.
The Beauty Routine Continues
While I am eager to share my makeup routine with you all, and potentially my hair routine once I finally am happy with my curly hair routine I am going to proceed with that in a separate blog post. This post focus is all on skincare. Skincare is such an in depth topic and I wanted to do it justice. What I will say when it comes to the rest of my routine is that I look at makeup as an extension of skincare versus purely makeup. This means I like makeup that acts as skincare. Think hydration, natural appearance, and simple ingredients.
Is Natural Always Better?
When it comes to talking natural here I don’t mean a natural look. What I want to discuss is natural ingredients versus man-made. There has been an increase in the popular idea that natural is always better. I highly disagree with this statement. Some of the more natural products I have used have caused bad reactions for me versus some of the more “processed” or man-made products which have done me wonders without any irritation. For instance, rose can be a very irritating ingredient for many people, but is often advertised and used as a calming ingredient. Don’t get swept up in “natural” or what products are on trend. Go with what works, has the research to back it up, and is accessible and affordable too.
One other note on natural products is to be wary of natural fragrances. Any fragrance, even natural fragrances can be irritating. I recommend avoiding fragrance in skincare products, and yes, that even means the natural ones – sorry! This is unfortunately not very French of me as the French love their fragrance.
The Importance of Accessibility
I used to be an avid shopper at specialty makeup stores. I loved going into the stores and leaving covered in swatches of colors and glitter all over my hands. All too often, I found myself trying new products constantly and getting swept up in the trending products. Unfortunately, about 95% of the time those products didn’t work out for me. My pocketbook was hurting and the inconvenience of getting the products that did work for me became too much of a burden that I ended up being reluctant to buy them again.
In recent years I have tried to downsize how many products I buy online. While I still buy plenty online, I try to buy basic daily use items like skincare live and in person. I have moved away from the niche products and really embraced the, perhaps less fun or pretty products, but more affordable, practical, effective, and accessible products. It’s not to say that getting the occasional fun or fancy product isn’t warranted, but on average I have moved to drug store staples such as Neutrogena, CeraVe, La Roche-Posay and the like.
I have also found that the accessibility of these products not only saves me time and money but encourages me to keep up with my skincare routine. If I find myself running low on a product I also don’t have to stress because I can simply run to the store and get it the same day. I have also noticed that a lot of the large staple drug store brands like you can find in my routine have coupons attached making it even more affordable. Grocery shopping and skincare shopping all at one time is a win in my book!
Simple, Facile, & Modeste
Simple, easy, and modest is the key to an excellent skincare routine in my personal opinion. I believe this seems to follow what many French women focus on and are known for here in the States. I have really come to appreciate their style of life and way of thinking when it comes to their approach to many things including skincare. My hope is that my routine can inspire you to embrace a French-inspired skincare routine too because it really is such a feel good habit to implement into your life.
Now go embrace the famous French saying – Elle est tres bien dans sa peau (She is very comfortable in her own skin).
Looking For More Inspiration?
If you are interested in a deeper look at my daily get ready routine then check out my latest blog post here. As the new year of 2026 has kicked off I also have a free cleaning checklist that you can download by signing up for my email list. Spring cleaning is right around the corner and a fresh start is easily accessible when it comes to a solid cleaning routine you can implement. You can download the checklist by clicking on the button “Download Your Checklist!” on the homepage.
