Wondering what the best French serums are for your skin? My personal French skincare ritual has evolved over time, but it really got taken to the next level with the right serum.
You might be wondering: what is a serum?
Serums are thin cream formulas that deliver highly concentrated amounts of various active ingredients to the skin. Serums are typically applied after cleansers and toners but before moisturizers.
They offer a wide range of benefits depending on your particular needs from hydration to firming to dark spot correcting. Our skin is unique to each of us after all, so there are dozens of different serums to choose from. The skin is our largest organ, too, so it’s worth all the time and effort to find your perfect serum.
Today I want to talk about some of the best French face serums on the market. We can all take a little bit of beauty advice from the country known for its beautiful women with flawless skin!
If you haven’t already, it’s time to add a serum to your French skincare lineup!
Best French Face Serums
There is a serum for everybody. No matter your skin type or need, the right serum can bring out your best skin. You’ll increase your confidence and thank yourself for putting in a little work now when you’ve got that glow going on later. Radiant, healthy skin looks good on everyone. Invest in your best self with a great French serum.
Hydrating Serums
Hydrating serums are best for anyone dealing with facial dryness or dehydrated skin. This can happen seasonally with lower temperatures and harsh wind or even sometimes when we are fighting off a cold, we can experience dry patches. Whatever the cause, hydrating serums come to the rescue. A good hydrating serum both brings in and locks in moisture so you achieve that glow. When checking out the ingredients, try to find a formula with added vitamin B5, which helps brighten and boost your complexion.
Our top pick for French hydrating serums is the cult Vichy Mineral 89 Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum. The key ingredient is mineral-rich Vichy Volcanic water, in high concentrations. This French facial serum is clinically proven to boost & repair the skin’s barrier.
The Avène Hydrance Intense Rehydrating Serum is the most lightweight of the bunch. It gradually releases Avène Thermal Spring Water from France, giving your skin a hydration boost throughout the day.
Finally, the Bioderma Hydrabio Serum will enhance your skin’s natural glow. It’s best for dry and sensitive skin types, as the niacinamide works to soothe dry and dehydrated skin.
Hyaluronic Acid Serums
Hyaluronic acid is a favorite ingredient among French women who are concerned about their skincare. Our bodies produce hyaluronic acid naturally, but our ability to make it decreases as we age. No fear because French hyaluronic acid serums are here.
Hyaluronic acid holds up to 1,000 its weight in water meaning you’ll get ultra-hydration when you go with a serum infused with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid helps build a barrier to protect your skin from environmental toxins. It helps you get a tighter, smoother look as it reduces lines and wrinkles. Look for hyaluronic acid in your daily serum to experience this powerhouse of benefits.
Over 28,000 people have favorably reviewed the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, the most affordable French anti-aging hydrating serum on our list!
One of the best French hyaluronic acid serums is the Embryolisse Hydra-Serum, featuring a combination of hyaluronic acid and white water lily to quench and revitalize the skin.
For anti-aging, go with the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum. It uses pure hyaluronic acid, madecassoside and vitamin B5 to leave the face and neck skin extra plump and refreshed.
Vitamin C Serums
Many of us know to include vitamin C in our diets, but did you know all of the amazing things it has to offer your skin? French vitamin C serums are known to be hydrating, anti-inflammatory, brightening, and they also promote collagen growth. Vitamin C serums are safe for pregnant women, so ladies who are expecting can rest easy. Another great use for Vitamin C is fading hyperpigmentation. Goodbye sunspots! Oh yeah, and vitamin C may actually protect your skin from sun damage! What’s not to love here?
- You’ll love the French girl approved La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum, made with 10% pure vitamin C.
Sensitive Skin Serums
If you have sensitive skin, you’ll be happy to know that French beauty products often go through rigorous testing to make sure they don’t irritate even the most delicate of skin. Natural ingredients are often favored. Avoid American serums with parabens, sulfates, exfoliants, or harsh retinol. Instead, opt for a serum with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, calendula, arnica, or chamomile.
Our top pick for French serums for sensitive skin is the Caudalie Vinosource-Hydra S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum which is an oil-free hydrating serum made with hyaluronic acid. Made with organic grape water, it won’t irritate sensitive skin.
Firming Serums
French firming serums can tighten your skin in minutes. With consistent use, the benefits will only grow. Dullness, dark circles, and puffiness will be gone. If you are looking for better elasticity and toning, this is your serum! Within this category, you’ll find serums specifically for lifting the eyes or for the entire face. Call it a facelift in a bottle!
- The Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Instant Firming Serum is oil-free and made with Caudalie’s patented alternative to retinol. It firms, lifts, and reduces wrinkles.
- The Guerlain Abeille Royale Double R Serum is a luxurious choice for French firming serums.
Anti-Wrinkle Serums
While cosmetic surgery is becoming more common you don’t have to rush to make that trip to the doctor’s office to reduce wrinkles. These French anti-wrinkle serums can help with fine lines and early wrinkles. Peptides are an important ingredient to look for, as they help repair skin damage and help you get that younger glow. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E are also great helpers. Hyaluronic acid or other moisturizing ingredients like shea butter play an important role in hydration which prevents wrinkles. Healthy, hydrated skin will always appear younger.
The Clarins Double Serum Concentrate uses a dual formulation of hydric and lipidic portions to boost the skin’s collagen. Turmeric firms and smooths the skin for a more youthful appearance.
The Caudalie Vine[Activ] Anti-Wrinkle Serum is a natural way to reduce the visible signs of wrinkles.
Filorga Paris is well-known for their anti-aging products and the Time-Zero Anti Wrinkle Serum is no exception. It treats 4 types of wrinkles in one go.
An affordable pick is the Yves Rocher Serum Végétal Wrinkles & Firmness which has 4 anti-aging patents in France.
Anti-Aging Serums
French anti-aging serums are an amazing, non-invasive way to slow down or even reverse the natural aging our skin goes through. Consistency and quality make a big difference here so be on the lookout for good-quality ingredients.
Serums are more powerful than moisturizers or other products because they are more concentrated, so an anti-aging serum is definitely a top-priority product to have on your shelf. Look for vitamin A, including retinol, for powerful results.
Also, keep in mind that anti-aging serums can be used for existing issues or preventively. You don’t have to wait until wrinkles appear to start incorporating anti-aging products into your daily skincare routine.
The bestselling Lancôme Advanced Genifique Serum includes bifidus prebiotic and hyaluronic acid for visibly reduced signs of aging.
Vichy’s Anti-Age Liftactiv Retinol HA Concentrate featured a high dose of pure Retinol to fill wrinkles daily.
The best high-end French anti-aging serum is the Clarins Super Restorative Remodelling Serum, formulated to target age spots while lifting and adding volume to the face.
Lastly, the affordable La Roche-Posay Retinol Face Serum with Vitamin B3 combines pure retinol and vitamin B to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage of mature skin.
Anti-Acne Serums
Serums are a great defense against acne. They can reduce inflammation and redness, clear clogged pores, and smooth your complexion. As someone who has personally struggled with acne for years, these French anti-acne serums have changed the game for me. Ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid are also known to be powerful forces against acne.
- If you’re suffering from blemishes, try the French serum Avène Cleanance Concentrate Blemish Control Serum, containing French thermal spring water from France. Skin is visibly clearer in just 7 days.
- The Caudalie Vinopure Skin Perfecting Serum is a natural way to reduce the visibility of imperfections, minimize your pores, and smooth the texture of the skin.
- The LaRoche Posay Effaclar Pore-Refining Serum uses glycolic acid to tighten pores and smooth the skin’s texture. Apply a good French sunscreen afterward if you use it in the morning.
Dark Spot Serums
Dark spots can come from zits, sun exposure, allergies, or even insect bites. French dark spot serums can combat hyperpigmentation and help you even out your skin tone. Glycolic acid, niacinamide, and Vitamin C are great ingredients when it comes to treating these pesky spots. Remember that if you’re struggling with dark spots, adding an SPF into your routine is essential for prevention.
To treat dark spots, look no further than the cult classic Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Dark Spot Serum, which has been proven 62 times more effective than Vitamin C in hiding facial dark spots, sunspots, and acne scars.
To fix a dull complexion, go with the BY TERRY Cellularose® Brightening CC Lumi-Serum to give your skin a radiant glow.
Summer Serums with SPF
When it comes time for summer, don’t forget to quench your skin’s thirst! French summer serums with SPF hydrate and protect the face from harmful UV rays that age your skin fast. You are especially susceptible to the sun during this season so don’t neglect the SPF! Your skin is going to need those antioxidants so consider finding a formula with Vitamin C to help boost your French summertime glow.
- We recommend the La Roche Posay Anthelios AOX Antioxidant Serum with SPF 50 sunscreen for bright summer days. It’s best for photo-protection, treating mild sun damage, and sensitive skin types.
Overnight Serums
French overnight serums are the perfect addition to your evening skincare regimen. They are formulated specifically to soothe and moisturize your face throughout the night so you wake up with fresher than ever skin. You can find varieties formulated with vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and even topical melatonin.
French nighttime serums are a sure way to start off your days looking better than ever, even if you’d really rather sleep in or have another cup of coffee. Another benefit is that your face won’t be exposed to the sun overnight, so you don’t have to worry about getting a bad reaction to any ingredients after sun exposure.
- Chanel Sublimage L’Extrait De Nuit is a luxury French nighttime serum that helps the skin naturally rejuvenate as you sleep. It does so using a chronopeptide as well as vanilla and neroli elixirs leaving you refreshed when you wake.
- The Chantecaille Gold Recovery Intense Concentrate PM is a French month-long treatment that combats signs of fatigue, fine lines, and loss of elasticity overnight.
- For an affordable overnight serum, go with the L’Occitane Overnight Reset Serum, which works to refresh the skin overnight, the time when skin renewal is most active!
I hope this post helped you find the best French serums for your specific skin needs! Let us know your questions in the comments below.
