15 Summer Beauty Products that French Women Swear By
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Photo credit: @nuxe
Certain summer beauty products are simply nonnegotiable: a non-greasy sunscreen, a refreshing face mist, a swipe-and-go lip tint, and a deep-conditioning hair mask, just to name a few.
As for French women? Their summer beauty philosophy is all about protecting the skin, enhancing their natural features and getting that bronzy summer glow (sans sun damage). Peek inside their beach bag or beauty cabinet, and you’ll find a curated mix of warm-weather essentials that help achieve just this.
From barely-there makeup to sun-care superheroes, I’ve rounded up 15 summer beauty essentials that French women swear by. Whether you’re lounging seaside or sipping on a citron pressé, these picks will keep you fresh and radiant—no matter how high the temperatures climb.
1. Lightweight Sunscreen
French women understand the importance of sun protection, especially during the summer months. A lightweight sunscreen for the face is a non-negotiable step in her beauty routine to help prevent skin cancer and premature skin aging, such as wrinkles and age spots, caused by UV exposure.
Look for a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. A French pharmacy favorite is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 60.
This dermatologist-recommended formula 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 a matte finish, so the skin stays protected and smooth, even on the hottest summer days.
A sunscreen (along with a wide-brimmed hat) is no doubt one of the best summer skincare products to invest in.
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2. Body Sunscreen
You might already have your favorite face sunscreen or tinted moisturizer with SPF, but a broad-spectrum body sunscreen is just as essential for summer.
Whether French women are soaking up the sun on the Côte d'Azur or basking in a sunny Paris afternoon, you can bet they’re covering every inch of their skin with SPF 30 or higher.
When it comes to the best spray sunscreen for the body, the SVR Sun Secure Mist SPF50+ is a lightweight option that delivers powerful UV protection while leaving a cooling effect on the skin. I picked it up at a French pharmacy before a trip to the South of France last summer, and I’ll likely repurchase it this season.
One of my favorite summer beauty tips? Mist a sunscreen spray all over your body for a head-to-toe glow (no body oil needed). Consider it your daily motivation to never skip SPF.
For a classic lotion, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 60 is non-greasy, fast-absorbing, and enriched with soothing thermal spring water, so it leaves the skin hydrated, silky, and fully protected. With over 10,000 5-star reviews, it’s certainly worth trying if you’re after a thicker formula.
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3. Micellar Water
The summer heat can leave your skin feeling sweaty and congested, so when it comes to summer skincare products, a micellar water is a must-have. A forever 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.
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4. Soothing Face Mist
A refreshing face mist like the Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray is a summer skincare essential that every French women knows about. 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 Grape Water Mist. This antioxidant-rich formula uses 100 percent grape water to deliver intense hydration, reduce redness and soothe sensitive skin. Whether used as a midday refresher or a post-sun cooldown, a spritz or two will quickly revive your complexion.
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5. Self Tanner
While French women prioritize sun protection, they also want a sun-kissed glow. That's where tanning pills come in.
During spring and early summer, many French women begin taking supplements like the 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.
The Typology Gradual Self-Tanning Serum is a newer product that promises a natural-looking tan with plant-based ingredients. Apply it alone or mix it with your moisturizer for a customizable color.
For the body, the Sisley Self Tanning Hydrating Body Skin Care is a luxe option worth trying. Not only does it give a natural-looking tan, but also deeply hydrates the skin, leaving it soft, supple and streak-free.
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 glow.
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6. Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
It’s no surprise a do-it-all dry oil is a French beauty essential for summer. Whether applied to the body, hair, or décolleté, it delivers instant nourishment and shine with zero effort.
The Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil is one of the best-selling dry oils in France. Infused with 7 precious botanical oils, this cult-favorite formula hydrates the skin and hair without a trace of greasiness. And the scent—an addictive blend of orange blossom, magnolia, and vanilla—is summer in a bottle.
For many French women, it’s a true madeleine de Proust, a scent that conjures memories of sun-soaked days. Even I come back to this oil every summer for its nostalgic scent, nourishing formula and endless versatility.
And for even more glow, the Huile Prodigieuse Or adds a golden, pearly shimmer that flatters every skin tone.
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7. Dry Brush
A radiant summer glow doesn’t start with highlighter, but rather a good exfoliation session. And one of the most effective ways to do that is dry brushing.
Originating from Ayurvedic practices, dry brushing stimulates lymphatic drainage and boosts circulation, while encouraging the evacuation of stagnant toxins and removal of dead skin cells.
With consistent use, it can improve skin texture and even reduce the appearance of cellulite, revealing a smoother, more luminous glow, naturally. Plus, it preps the skin for better absorption of your favorite oils and creams.
I’ve recently been obsessed with the French beauty brand Aime. Known for its holistic approach to French beauty, the brand offers everything from collagen supplements to cosmetic skincare to look and feel your best, inside and out.
Their Brush & Glow Body Brush is the perfect addition to your pre-shower routine if you’re curious to try dry brushing yourself.
Pair it with your favorite body oil post-shower, and you’ve got yourself the ultimate body glow lineup for summer.
8. After-Sun Lotion
After a day at the beach, French women reach for an after-sun lotion to hydrate and soothe their skin.
The Lancaster Golden Tan Maximizer After Sun Lotion helps extend your tan while deeply hydrating and soothing sun-exposed skin. Formulated to stimulate melanin production, it enhances the tanning process and helps you keep a golden glow for up to one month.
If you're in the mood to splurge, the Sisley After-Sun Care Tan Extender is a luxury pick that delivers on both skincare and glow. Rich in soothing and hydrating ingredients, it calms sun-exposed skin while helping your tan last longer.
As far as beach beauty products go, this one is a cult favorite among the chicest of French women for a radiant, soft, and beautifully bronzed complexion.
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9. Tinted Moisturizer
Instead of heavy foundation, French women opt for a lightweight tinted moisturizer that provides sheer coverage while hydrating the skin.
Choose a formula with added skincare benefits like antioxidants or hyaluronic acid to nourish and protect your skin from environmental stressors. And if it’s got SPF, even better.
The Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer is a French-girl favorite 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 your complexion. Its lightweight and non-greasy formula make it perfect for daily wear, so your skin stays protected and radiant all summer long without feeling heavy or cakey.
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10. Bronzing Powder
For that perfect sun-kissed glow, bronzer is a summer staple in every French woman’s makeup bag. Among the top choices, the Guerlain Terracotta Sunkissed Natural Bronzer Powder is a standout from one of the best luxury French beauty brands.
Renowned for its finely milled texture and subtle shimmer, this iconic bronzing powder effortlessly enhances the complexion, offering a natural-looking radiance that mimics a day spent basking in the sun on the French Riviera (without the harmful effects of UV rays).
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11. Sheer Lip Color
We know that French women love a bold red lip, but during the summer months, it’s more about hydrating the lips with just a subtle hint of color.
The Violette_FR Bisou Jelly, created by French makeup artist Violette, has quickly become a French beauty favorite—and it happens to be perfect for summer. This clever product combines a sheer balm with a pigmented lipstick core for a kiss of color and a beautifully natural shine.
Another recent favorite I picked up in Paris is the Typology Replenishing Lip Balm with Ceramides + Hyaluronic Acid (I went with the shade Powder Pink). It’s incredibly hydrating and versatile enough to use on both lips and cheeks for a fresh flush of color (one of my go-to summer makeup tips).
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12. Waterproof Mascara
Waterproof mascara is a one of those definite makeup must-haves for summer. Not only does it keep smudges and flakes at bay, but it also guarantees that your lashes remain perfectly defined, in the heat or water.
For a high-performance, affordable option, the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Waterproof Mascara delivers panoramic volume with an ultra-black, smudge-proof formula that holds up at the pool or à la plage.
If you, like me, prefer brown mascara, the Diorshow Waterproof Mascara in the shade Chestnut is an excellent choice. It gives impressive volume while providing a soft brown tint that feels less harsh than classic black.
Just make sure to have a makeup-removing cleansing balm on hand to easily take off the waterproof formula at the end of the day.
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13. Light Perfume or Body Mist
When temperatures start to rise, French women swap their heavy winter fragrances for something lighter and more refreshing. A body mist or eau de toilette is what they reach for to smell divine and keep their beauty routine fresh for the warmer months.
The options are endless when it comes to finding your signature summer scent, but one elegant French favorite is the Hermès Un Jardin sur le Nil Eau de Toilette. Inspired by the scents of an Egyptian garden, this herbal fragrance has notes of green mango, lotus, and jasmine. A subtle, but never forgettable, clean scent that’s made for everyday wear.
Want to smell like an Italian Aperol spritz? The newly launched Maison Margiela 'REPLICA' Never-ending Summer Eau de Toilette is a fresh citrus fragrance that’s destined to be a hit this summer.
Not all summer fragrances need to come in the form of a perfume though. Body mists are a wonderful option too. The Roger & Gallet Fragrant Water Body Spray is a delicate, your-skin-but-better scent that veils the body in freshness without being overpowering.
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14. Deodorant
While the stereotype that the French smell bad is long outdated (and frankly unfair), one thing is true: we all needs a good deodorant to stay fresh during the warmer months.
The Caudalie Vinofresh Natural Stick Deodorant is a favorite for its soothing eucalyptus scent and effective, aluminum-free formula. It neutralizes odor while keeping the underarms feeling fresh and hydrated.
Another French pharmacy staple is the Uriage Gentle Deodorant. Made for sensitive skin, this alcohol-free option offers long-lasting protection and comfort without irritation. It's discreet, reliable, and très French.
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15. Hydrating Hair Mask
French women treat their hair with the same reverence as their skincare; especially in summer, when sun, salt, and chlorine can leave strands parched and frizzy. To keep hair looking effortlessly tousled, a hydrating hair mask like the Christophe Robin Hydrating Melting Mask with Aloe Vera is non-negotiable.
Infused with soothing aloe vera, this silky treatment melts into the hair to replenish hydration after a day at the beach or pool. The result is hair that feels soft, smooth, and revived—no blowout required.
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With these 15 summer beauty products, glowing skin, effortless waves, and a sun-kissed complexion are a certainty this summer. Inspired by the timeless beauty secrets of French women, this is your season to embrace chic, understated glamour with a just-back-from-the-Riviera glow. Bon été !
What are your favorite summer beauty products? Let me know in the comments below.
