Ten of the Best French Pharmacy Cleansers

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about Ten of the Best French Pharmacy Cleansers. 

French pharmacies are a treasure trove of skincare gems, renowned for their scientifically-backed, dermatologically-tested, and effective products.

From natural sunscreens, to amazing haircare and makeup, they have everything. And one thing they are also known for stocking are amazing cleansers!

So let’s check out ten of the best pharmacy cleansers that you’ll find in most French pharmacies. And if you’re not heading over to France, no worries ! You can always find the products mentioned below in most countries and online (click on the relevant image for online line)

Ten of the best French Pharmacy Cleansers. 

Ten of the best French Pharmacy Cleansers.

• La Roche-Posay Toleriane dermo-cleanser.
• Bioderma Sensibio H2O micellar water.
• Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser.
• Vichy Pureté thermale one step cleanser
• Nuxe Rêve de Miel face cleansing and makeup removing gel
• Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser
• Embryolisse Lait-Crème Moussant
• Klorane’s Makeup Remover cleansing cream.
• A-Derma Soothing Foaming Gel
• SVR Cleansing milk

1: La Roche-Posay Toleriane dermo-cleanser. 

If you’ve ever stepped into a French pharmacy or you’ve watched a YouTube video of a French “It girl” showing the world around her bathroom, you’ve most likely heard of La Roche-Posay ! Indeed, very few brands are as French, or at least sound as French, as La Roche-Posay does. It’s a favourite among French women for a reason and that is because it focuses on quality above all else. And that also goes for its cleansers.

Enter onto the scene, the Toleriane dermo-cleanser. It’s only made up of eight ingredients, none of which have fragrance, making it perfect for people with sensitive skin and skin that reacts easily to any nasty ingredients (as it should!). It has been dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested (so no more tears !). Basically, if you have sentisitve skin and skin that tends to dry out easily, this one is for you ! 

2: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water.

Now, it may be a bit controversial to add a micellar water in a list of cleansers as there are very much two schools of thought on the subject (one saying that a micellar water does not cleanse the skin well enough and the other saying that it does). 

But the truth is that not everyone can do a full cleansing routine everyday because water can strip dry and sensitive skin from its natural oils and leave it feeling even dryer. And that’s when micellar waters come in handy. 

And the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water is the magic product that so many people swear by, especially makeup artists so its safe to say that it has earned its spot on this list ! 

As previously mentioned, it’s particularly good if you have dry skin and don’t want to use too much water which could strip it of its natural oils. So instead, just pop a bit of this micellar water on a cotton pad and remove all traces of makeup and impurities with a gentle swipe over your face. 

3. Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser.

Another household name in France is Avène and you’ll most likely find a few Avène products in every household across the country. And that’s because like La Roche-Posay, the brand’s main focus is on quality and on having simple products with few ingredients that get the job done! Because these are all products that you find in a pharmacy after all, so the standard they have to meet is quite high! 

So if you have dry skin but it can withstand a bit of water, why not try the Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser whose milky consistency will glide over your skin and moisturize it as it gently gets rids of traces of makeup and anything else that has found its way on your face throughout the day. 

4. Vichy Pureté thermale one step cleanser. 

Vichy products contain Vichy water which springs from the volcanic soil of the Auvergne and that’s what makes them, and the brand, so unique ! There are plenty of products to choose from and they tend to be all gentle and respectful of the skin’s gentle barrier. 

As for the Vichy Pureté Thermale One Step Cleanser, it’s a three-in-one cleanser that is particularly good for sensitive skin and can even be used as an eye-makeup remover because it’s so gentle ! So no need to buy a bunch of products, this one does it all ! 

5. Nuxe Rêve de Miel face cleansing and makeup removing gel.

You may know the brand Nuxe for it’s delicious honey lip balm and……. ! But did you know that they also have a honey cleanser that’s as delicious ? 

I mean, “Rêve de Miel” in French literally translates to “Honey of Dream” so no wonder this product is so popular! 

The texture is gel-like so it might be better for slightly oilier skin types. That being said, because of its soothing ingredients and the fact that it doesn’t include soap, it can also be used for dry and sensitive skin if properly moisturised afterwards. And if you want a fully luxurious experience, why not finish up your cleansing routine with the Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm. 

6. Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser is one of our Ten of the best French Pharmacy Cleansers.

Caudalie ! The French brand that rhymes with wine ! If you don’t know about Caudalie yet, it’s a brand that was started on a French vineyard using the discarded grape seeds that were used to make wine. Because interestingly enough, these grape seeds contain some of the most powerful antioxidants out there (it must be true then that one glass of wine is good for you!). 

And of course, Caudalie products feature these, including it’s instant foaming cleanser! The smell of it alone it enough to make you fall in love but it’s gentle foamy texture and the way it cleanses the skin without stripping it is what will make you want to include it in your beauty cabinet for good! 

7. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Moussant.

This one is the all the dry-skin ladies (and men!) out there. Embryolisse has become associated with softness and gentleness because its products are all about that ! And this cleanser is no exception !

It’s made without soap or any other of the nasty ingredients out there so it will leave your skin feeling clean but plump, and ready to take on the world ! And  as previously said, the creamy texture is perfect for anyone with dry or sensitive skin as it won’t strip it of its natural oils ! 

8. Klorane’s Cornflower Makeup Remover cleansing cream.

Klorane is a brand that is usually associated with hair care and that’s because it has so many amazing products for hair, including it’s famous dry shampoo ! But it also does skincare and one of its best products is the cornflower makeup remover cleansing cream ! 

It’s also made without soap and mainly with natural ingredients so it’s great for sensitive skin (and cornflower is a soothing ingredient as well !) 

And if you don’t like the cream texture, you can opt for a micellar water or a foam cleanser ! They have one to suit all preferences ! 

9. A-Derma Soothing Foaming Gel.

If you’ve got dry skin and are prone to eczema, this one if for you ! Don’t be fooled by the gel-like consistency, it’s very moisturizing and it’s also perfume-free which makes it a great choice if you tend to have skin that reacts badly to fragrance ! It also comes in a big format which means that it will last you a while and the great thing is that you can also use it all over your body if you happen to have eczema or reactive skin !

10. SVR Cleansing milk.

SVR has become a favourite among the French in quite a short amount of time and that’s because the products it offers are of great quality and the prices are very affordable ! And this goes for their cleansing milk that was designed for dry and sensitive skin. 

It’s a milk, which means that it glides onto the skin and cleanses it without stripping it of its natural oils, making it perfect for people with dry skin!

Final Thoughts on
Ten of the best French Pharmacy Cleansers. 

There you have it, ten of the best cleansers to be found in French pharmacies across the country (or across the web!).

French pharmacy cleansers have achieved cult status for a reason—they strike the perfect balance between efficacy and gentleness. Rooted in a culture that values minimalism and quality, these products are crafted with dermatologically-proven ingredients and avoid unnecessary additives. They cater to various skin types, offering solutions for sensitive, dry, oily, or combination skin with no-fuss formulas.

Moreover, French pharmacies prioritize accessibility and affordability, making luxury-like care available to all. The attention to detail, paired with years of dermatological expertise, ensures that these cleansers don’t just clean the skin—they nurture it. Whether you’re after simplicity or indulgence, French pharmacy cleansers embody the essence of effortless, effective skincare.

I hope you enjoyed this feature with our Ten of the best French pharmacy cleansers. and if so, I would really appreciate it if you would share it. You can do this by saving any of the images to your Pinterest board or clicking on one of the icons below the post to share to Twitter, Facebook or Linked’In, and you can also share it by email to just one person (or more) by clicking on the email icon below.

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With love,

Article By Hannah Rees

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