The last week or so my skin has been feeling a little temperamental - not helped by the fact that I suffered a rather unfortunate incident involving a glycolic peel mask and some poor time keeping issues (don't ask!). And so I found myself reverting back to a few of my favourites when it comes to dealing with problem skin (namely dry and sensitive in this instance), and soon realised that the majority of these sat in the 'French skincare' category. If it's a soothing hit of hydration, minus the irritability and without the need to compromise in any other area of your skincare routine, then these four products should have you covered.
Avene Gentle Gel Cleanser
Gel cleansers aren't something I indulge in often. The Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel is absolutely sublime, and now that I think about it, I need to stock up, but if it's something non- offensive and super kind to your skin that you're after then look no further than this stuff. Fantastic for if you have particularly sensitive skin, or indeed if it's just acting up and having a temperamental moment - the fact that this is enriched with moisturising agents means your skin is left feeling soft and supple after use. It's also great for use around the eyes if you suffer with sensitivity there too, and if you do as they suggest and follow this with a spritz of your favorite spray toner your face is left feeling beautifully cooled and refreshed.
Caudalie Instant Detox Mask
A more recent addition to my skincare stash, but already a firm fave nonetheless. This stuff has what I would describe as being a cross between a gel and a cream like consistency, applies clear and yet dries as a clay would - opaque and relatively quickly during the 5-10 minutes it's recommend you leave it on for. It really is unique in terms of texture when compared with any other mask I have tried, though the effects remind me a lot of the Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing mask that everyone raves about and of which I am also a big fan. For me though, I think this one pips it to the post in that it really doesn't dry out the skin as some clay based masks have a tendency to do. It doesn't irritate my skin either, but it does do a great job of tightening and de-congesting. I am also a big fan the ingredients it contains - pink clay (which aids to balance my combination skin), grape marc and coffee, and papaya extract (helping to smooth whilst also ensuring things smell amazing!). The more I use this, the more in love with it I fall, and I can't wait now to try out more of the masks in the range.
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Power Serum
This one is an old faithful that I have been using for years now, and with a name like that, I guess you really are led to expect great things. Luckily, it lives up to the expectations and really packs a punch when it comes to hydration. The best part though, is how it manages to do this - gliding on and sinking in beautifully without feeling tacky or greasy on your skin, instead, leaving it plumped and smooth. It's one of the only serums and indeed skincare products that I enjoy and feel comfortable using underneath and as a base for make-up, and so I tend to slather this stuff on both morning and night when I'm in need of a real moisture boost. I've seen a lot of comparisons between this and Hydraluron, and though I am a fan of both, the more liquid consistency of this and the fact that a little goes a long way with the effects seeming to last longer means this one wins the battle between the two.
Nuxe Ultra Comforting Face Cream
Another product if you want to bring out the big guns to tackle dry, sensitive skin. With a pretty thick consistency, you might expect this to take a lot of working in, but in fact it sinks in relatively quickly and 'comforting' is the right word as for me at least, it feels as though my skin has been coated in a luxurious, soothing, protective barrier that locks in the moisture and helps to hydrate - a hug for your skin if you will. I find that it helps to soothe and eliminate redness and that a little goes a long way when you're applying. Though it's not a moisturiser I would use every day unless I was suffering a particularly bad dry spell (I like to mix it up and use a lighter moisturiser over serums/oils when I can), for those of you that suffer with permanent dryness, there's no doubt that you should be picking this one up pronto!
What are your favorite products when it comes to French skincare? If you fancy stocking up or trying something new, then there are currently some amazing deals over at Escentual where you can save up to 1/3 on French pharmacy products this week. Be sure to let me know what you pick up if you decide to treat yourself!
Sarah x
