12 Summer Beauty Products That French Women Swear By
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Summer is the season of effortless beauty, and no one does it better than French women. With a focus on enhancing natural features and embracing a luminous glow, they have seemingly mastered the art of summer beauty.
In this blog post, I’m sharing the 12 summer beauty products that French women swear by to achieve that coveted je ne sais quoi during the sun-soaked months. From minimalist makeup to sun protection essentials, these French beauty products will become a staple in your summer beauty routine. So no matter if you’re lounging at the beach or sipping a citron pressé, you’ll look fresh and radiant while combating the heat and humidity.
Glowing skin, tousled hair, and a bronzed complexion await. Continue reading to discover the best French beauty staples for summer.
12 Summer Beauty Products That French Women Swear By
1. Lightweight Sunscreen
French women understand the importance of sun protection, especially during the summer months. A lightweight sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF is a staple in their beauty arsenal. Look for a non-greasy formula that provides broad-spectrum protection while hydrating the skin.
A French favorite is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen. This dermatologist-recommended sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection without the greasy feel, making it perfect for everyday wear under makeup. Its fast-absorbing formula leaves no white cast and provides long-lasting hydration, so the skin stays protected and comfortable even on the hottest summer days.
Applying sunscreen daily should be a non-negotiable step in any woman's skincare routine to help prevent premature aging and maintain a healthy complexion throughout the summer.
Read More: How to Wear and Reapply Sunscreen Over Makeup
2. Micellar Water
Summer heat can leave your skin feeling sweaty and congested, but French women rely on micellar water to keep their skin clean and refreshed. A favorite among French women is the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water. This gentle yet effective cleanser removes makeup, dirt, and impurities without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier. It's perfect for a quick cleanse after a day at the beach or as part of your evening skincare routine. Keep a bottle handy for an instant pick-me-up whenever your skin needs a refresh.
Read More: 20 Best French Pharmacy Products That Are Worth the Hype
3. Face Mist
A lightweight face mist is essential for keeping skin hydrated and refreshed in the summer heat, and French women swear by the Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray. Sourced from the natural springs of France, this gentle mist is enriched with minerals and antioxidants that help soothe and hydrate the skin. Just take a ride on the Paris metro on a hot summer day, and you’ll see French women cooling themselves off with a few spritzes of this thermal water.
Another face mist beloved in France is the Caudalie Beauty Elixir. Infused with grape water and essential oils, this cult-favorite mist tones, refreshes, and sets makeup. Whether used as a midday refresher or a post-sun cooldown, it instantly revitalizes the complexion, leaving skin feeling hydrated and rejuvenated.
4. Dry Oil
French women are seemingly masters of achieving luminous skin, and one product they rely on during the summer months is the dry oil. The Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil is a popular choice among French women for its nourishing formula and versatility. Infused with 7 precious botanical oils, this lightweight dry oil hydrates the skin, leaving it soft and glowing without feeling greasy. With sensual notes of vanilla, magnolia and orange blossom, it subtly perfumes your skin while simultaneously hydrating it.
Another summer-ready option worth checking out is the Caudalie Soleil des Vignes Oil Elixir. Enriched with nourishing argan oil, fig and shea oil, this luxurious dry oil hydrates and softens the skin, leaving behind a luminous glow. It’s infused with the brand’s iconic Soleil des Vignes scent with sunny notes of coconut, orange blossom and jasmine. Whether applied to the body, hair, or décolleté, it’s a summer beauty essential that French women rely on.
5. After-Sun Lotion
After a day of soaking up the sun, French women know the importance of replenishing and soothing the skin with an after-sun lotion. The Caudalie Vinosun Protect After Sun Repairing Lotion is an effective option that nourishes, repairs and soothes sun-exposed skin. Plus, it helps to maintain a lasting tan for 2 weeks. Looking for something splurge-worthy? The Sisley After-Sun Care Tan Extender is a luxury option that soothes and rehydrates your skin and makes your tan last longer. Applied generously after sun exposure, it's a summer beauty essential that French women love for maintaining healthy and radiant skin.
6. Self-Tanning Skincare
While French women prioritize sun protection, they also desire a sun-kissed glow without the harmful effects of UV exposure. That's where tanning pills come in. French women swear by supplements like Oenobiol Autobronzant Capsules, which are formulated with natural ingredients like carotenoids to help enhance and prolong a tan. In France, these pills are considered a safe and convenient way to achieve a natural-looking tan without the risk of sun damage.
While tanning tablets are popular in France, the FDA considers them to be potentially dangerous, and, as a result, they are not approved in the US. Fortunately, there are other sunless tanning options to help you get a golden glow.
A luxurious option is the Sisley Self Tanning Hydrating Body Skin Care. This indulgent formula not only imparts a natural-looking tan but also deeply hydrates the skin, leaving it soft and supple. Its lightweight texture absorbs quickly and provides a streak-free, radiant tan that lasts for days. For a more budget-friendly option, try out the Clarins Self Tanning Face & Body Milky Lotion. This silky-smooth lotion delivers a gradual, buildable tan while moisturizing the skin, giving you a healthy, golden glow without breaking the bank.
Eating a diet rich in vitamins is also excellent for your tan. French fashion designer Isabel Marant once shared her secret for enhancing her tan – drinking carrot juice. Loaded with beta-carotene, carrots can help boost your skin's natural pigmentation, resulting in a deeper and more radiant tan.
Read More: 7 French Diet Tips to Eat Like the French and Stay Healthy
7. Tinted Moisturizer
Instead of heavy foundation, French women opt for a lightweight tinted moisturizer during the summer months. This multi-tasking product provides sheer coverage while hydrating the skin, giving you a natural, dewy complexion. Choose a formula with added skincare benefits like antioxidants or hyaluronic acid to nourish and protect your skin from environmental stressors.
The Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer is a favorite among French women for its multitasking abilities and natural ingredients. Not only does it boost your sun protection, but it also provides a hint of tint to even out the skin tone. Its lightweight and non-greasy formula make it perfect for daily wear, ensuring your skin stays protected and radiant all summer long without feeling heavy or caked.
8. Bronzer
Bronzer is a staple in every French woman's summer beauty kit, adding warmth and dimension to the complexion for a sun-kissed glow. One product that French women adore is the Guerlain Terracotta Sunkissed Natural Bronzer Powder. With its finely milled texture and subtle shimmer, this iconic bronzer effortlessly enhances the complexion, imparting a natural-looking radiance that mimics a day spent basking in the sun on the French Riviera (minus the sun damage).
Read More: 15 Best Luxury French Beauty Brands Worth Your Investment
9. Lip Tint
French women prioritize hydration and a touch of color for their lips during the summer months, opting for hydrating lip tints that provide a natural flush of color while keeping their lips moisturized. One beloved product is the Violette_FR Bisou Balm.
Created by renowned French makeup artist and Guerlain’s Creative Director of Makeup, Violette, this hydrating lipstick enhances the lips with a sheer wash of color and a matte finish. For a fresh and natural pop of color, a hydrating lip tint is a must-have in your French-inspired summer beauty routine.
Read More: 6 Steps To Achieve The 'No-Makeup Makeup' Look
10. Waterproof Mascara
In the heat of summer, French women rely on waterproof mascara to keep their lashes looking long and lush without smudging or flaking. One product that comes highly recommended is the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Waterproof Mascara. Most of L’Oréal’s mascaras are excellent, affordable options, but this particular product is one of their newest releases. With its ultra-black formula and waterproof finish, this mascara provides panoramic volume that is clump-resistant and flake-resistant, even in the sweltering heat. This mascara will ensure your lashes stay perfectly defined and smudge-free, making it a must-have in your French summer makeup routine.
11. Summer Fragrance
To stay cool and refreshed during the summer months, French women swap their heavy winter perfumes for a lightweight body spray or summery eau de parfum. There are endless French perfumes worth exploring to find a signature scent to complement your summer beauty routine. One standout fragrance is Fragonard’s Jasmin Perle de Thé Eau de Parfum. Its delicate blend of jasmine and green tea notes evokes the freshness of a summer morning. Its light and airy scent is perfect for everyday wear in the warmer months.
Read More: 20 Best Summer Perfumes that Will Transport You to Paradise
12. Hydrating Hair Mask
French women prioritize hair hydration, especially during the dry summer months, and one essential product in their shower is a hydrating hair mask like the Christophe Robin Hydrating Melting Mask With Aloe Vera. This luxurious hair mask deeply nourishes and revitalizes dry, damaged hair, leaving it soft, silky, and manageable.
It’s infused with aloe vera to hydrate hair after sun exposure or chlorine from pool days. This hydrating hair mask will rescue your locks and leave them looking healthy and radiant this summer.
Shop French Summer Beauty
From lightweight skincare to multi-purpose makeup, these 12 French beauty products are sure to elevate your summer routine.
What are your favorite summer beauty products? Have you tried any of these French beauty essentials? Let me know in the comments below.
