French Skincare Haul

So you know when you run to the store because you're running out of face wash and you come worth with four other products, but not the face wash? That's what happened here.

Violà the gems that I picked up at my local discount pharmacy:

You know those fancy exfoliating toners that the skincare world is currently raving about? Think Pixi Glow Tonic, Biologique Recherche P50 Balancing toner, and Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening toner. I've been dying to try one but there is no way I'm shelling out that much cash for a toner or, in the case of Pixi Glow, trying to order internationally. 

Well if you're in France, you should definitely check out the Ducray Keracnyl Purifying Lotion, because the ingredients in this stuff are magic - think witch hazel as well as glycolic, latic, and salicylic acids.  Price: 10€

The most exciting part? There is NO alcohol! Because I'm pretty sure that flower scented, alcoholic, colored water that I used to buy as teenager just made my acne worse. Alcohol in toners is no go for me.

I'll be reporting back to you on how this works out after I've tested it for a full cycle, but so far I'm in love.

I won't babble on too much about La Roche-Posay's Serozinc. Basically, it's a replenishing toner marketed to combination and oily skin types. It soothes, cleanses, reduces excess oil, and reduces inflammation while healing and preventing current breakouts. It's also marketed to reduce diaper rash on babies' bottoms - so if you've got rather sensitive skin, this just might be the toner for you. Price: 5€ - No, I am not kidding you.

You can read about Serozinc here, here and here if you're interested in learning more.


I generally have combination/oily skin (though it's definitely combination/dry in the winter!) and I'm very much breakout prone. If I skipping washing my face one night I'll wait up with at least two new blemishes. To keep things normal and balanced, I try to take very, very good care of my skin.

I recently finished up a bottle of my beloved Avene Triacnéal zit cream and have decided to try La Roche-Posay's version Effaclar Duo Plus. I've only heard good things about this and my hopes are unrealistically high. Price: 9.50€

I'll keep you updated on how that works out.

Last but not least, I'm so in love with Bioderma's hydrating serum that I ran out to get their Hydrabio Legere face cream to go with it as soon as I finished up the cream I was using. I've only been using this for about a week, so I'll hold my comments for now. But so far it gets a tentative thumbs up. Price: 14€

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What bits and bobs have you picked up lately? Any recommendations for products that I'm totally missing out on?

P.s. If you live in France always look for the discount pharmacies. Sometimes they're hidden, but you'll end up saving loads if you take the time to look for them!