Whether you’re spending your summer in the south of France along the Mediterranean, or under the hot American sun, you’ll want to grab at least one of these amazing French sunscreens to protect your skin.
Even when they’re not heading to the beach, French women know the importance of using SPF to protect their delicate facial skin from harmful UV rays. That’s why there are several types of French sunscreens that French women use during their skincare routine.
What are the best French sunscreens available? Can you buy French sunscreens in the USA? Yes! I’ll share where to buy each of these sun creams today.
Many French girls own several different sunscreens of varying strength and use the best one depending on their needs that day. Even in Paris, walks along the Seine or bike riding through the cobblestone streets require adequate protection from the sun’s rays.
Best French Sunscreens
Finding the right sunscreen for your skin type is a French beauty secret to keeping your skin happy, youthful, and healthy. From its natural protective properties to its powerful hydrating effects, sunscreen is just one of those beauty products you truly can’t live without.
Since everyone’s skin is different and requires different ingredients in order to thrive, finding the right sunscreen can sometimes be difficult. From finding the right consistency to the right amount of coverage, no two sunscreens are made alike. To make it easier to find the perfect sunscreen for your skin type and personal needs, I’m going to go over the top choices for the best French sunscreens for all skin types.
Whether you’re looking for the best French anti-aging sunscreen for mature skin or the best sun protection for acne-prone skin, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into a complete list of the best French sunscreens on the market and why you need them in your life.
Everyday French Sunscreen
Let’s start out with the best everyday French sunscreens. These are products you can use on a daily basis when you know you’ll be walking through town or going in and out of shade. They’re strong enough to provide protection yet light enough to be worn under makeup.
The most effective everyday French sunscreen to try out is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50 sunscreen. The oil-free formula gives your skin a nice and even tone while protecting it from the sun. This nifty small white bottle was redesigned by French fashion designer Simon Porte Jacquemus and used as part of the invitation to his SS/20 fashion show.
French Makeup Primers with SPF
Makeup primers with SPF can be a great way to protect your skin from harmful sun rays without wearing too many layers of product. French makeup primers with SPF are lightweight and perfect for those who live in warm sunny places.
My top pick for SPF-infused primers is the Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer. With a broad-spectrum SPF 50, this powerful French primer has been carefully designed to give a dewy texture to the skin for a smoother, healthy, and more hydrated look.
Perfect for normal, dry, and combination skin, this fast-absorbing 3-in-1 moisturizer is made of all-natural ingredients including moringa extract, edelweiss, and Vitamin E to help improve the skin’s texture for a more flawless appearance.
Another great affordable primer is the L’Oreal RevitaLift Miracle Primer. Designed to protect the skin with a powerful SPF 30 while simultaneously erasing age marks, the Miracle Blur Instant Skin Smoother Primer has been carefully formulated with a unique texture to erase the appearance of fine lines, large pores, uneven textures, and wrinkles to give the skin a smoother, younger-looking appearance.
Best applied after moisturizer, this primer promises to provide instant results and is the perfect finishing touch to every women’s makeup routine to achieve a truly flawless matte finish while protecting the skin!
French Tinted Sunscreen
You can incorporate tinted French sunscreen into your daily makeup routine. Tinted sunscreens are great for evening out your skin tone while protecting your facial skin from UV rays. It’s a great way to simplify your morning makeup routine and limit the number of products you use.
The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with SPF is a bestselling French tinted sunscreen that evenly tones your skin while providing SPF 20 protection. It comes in 20 different shades to find your perfect match. I can confirm it works as I accidentally sun-burned my face once in Miami everywhere I wasn’t wearing this product.
For stronger protection, try the French pharmacy La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid which is a mineral sunscreen with a light tint and SPF 50 protection.
Strong French Sunscreens for Beach Days
If you love to spend a lot of time at the beach, a sunscreen designed for strong sun protection is ideal for you. Dermatologists often recommend using an SPF 50 or higher for the best protection on those strong sunny days.
For this, I recommend the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Body Sunscreen. With a strong SPF of 60 to 100, this sunscreen is oil-free, non-comedogenic, and has also been carefully formulated with a powerful antioxidant complex to protect the skin from harsh damage from UV rays and free radicals. It is perfect for those who may be prone to sunburns and leaves a soft, smooth velvety finish with each use.
My second pick for this is the Vichy Capital Soleil sunscreen. Perfect for all skin types, this powerful face and body sunscreen has been carefully formulated with 15 mineral-rich Vichy volcanic water and antioxidants to protect the skin from free radicals and provide anti-aging protection with SPF 60. Non-comedogenic and dermatologist-tested, this sunscreen provides sun protection for up to 80 minutes with a soft, sheer, and non-greasy finish.
The Avene Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen is another great option for sensitive skin types. With SPF 50 and a 100% mineral-based formula, this broad-spectrum sunscreen is water-resistant and gives the skin powerful antioxidant protection to keep it smooth and healthy. It is also hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic and offers the perfect UVA/UVB protection for those with highly sensitive skin.
Each of these would be a great addition to your French summer skincare routine!
Best French Sunscreen Spray
If you’re not much of a fan of lotion-based sunscreens and want to try out a more convenient sunscreen spray, I recommend trying the Clarins Care Milk-Lotion Spray. With an SPF 50 designed for those with sun-sensitive skin, this lotion helps to protect your skin from damaging UV rays for nearly 60 minutes due to a powerful protecting formula containing Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C.
This spray-on sunscreen has also been designed with a powerful anti-aging formula that helps to protect the skin from premature aging while enhancing it with powerful hydration to keep it plump and healthy at all times.
French Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin
If you have acne-prone skin, you’ll want to opt for mineral-based sunscreen with ingredients such as zinc oxide or a combo of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. For this, I recommend the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen which won’t cause breakouts. With an oil-free formula, this sunscreen provides a strong SPF 60 protection that is dry to the touch and naturally helps to absorb oil to reduce a shiny appearance.
This sunscreen has also been crafted with key ingredients to provide UVB/UVA protection as well as give the skin a naturally soothing effect. It is also non-comedogenic and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and won’t cause any oil build-up that could contribute to breakouts.
French Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
If you’re someone who struggles with sensitive skin that seems to act up no matter what you put on it, you’ll want to opt for a gentle mineral-based sunscreen with natural ingredients, such as zinc or titanium dioxide.
I definitely recommend the Darphin INTRAL Environmental Lightweight Shield with SPF 50 if you have sensitive skin. Perfect to use as a makeup base, this lightweight sunscreen has been specifically designed for those with sensitive skin to help protect them from harsh UV rays as well as pollution. With a 100% mineral base formula, this sunscreen is natural at providing a strong sheer barrier on the skin that not only helps to protect the skin from damage but also provides a smooth and radiant finish to the skin.
French mineral sunscreen Avène Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen is another excellent option. With a lightly tinted blendable texture, this mineral cream is ideal for sensitive skin as it offers a powerful enriching UVA/UVB protection that has been carefully enhanced with Vitamin E and thermal water to provide a calming, softening and soothing application with each use. This mineral cream is water-resistant and promises to be gentle enough for those even with the most sensitive of skin.
Best French Anti-Aging Sunscreens
If you’re looking for the best anti-aging sunscreen that can protect your skin while simultaneously keeping your skin youthful, you’ll want to look for sunscreens with ingredients such as octinoxate and avobenzone.
For this, I recommend the Sisley Anti-Aging Sunleya sunscreen. Designed to decrease the risk of early skin aging, this sunscreen also protects the skin from pigmentation spots, wrinkles, dehydration, and UVA/UVB damage. With key natural ingredients such as shea butter, rhodochrosite extract, alkekengi calyx extract, Vitamin E, cucumber extract, and sage essential oil, this sunscreen is all-natural, rich in antioxidants, and perfect for giving your skin an extra boost of protection wherever you go.
My second choice is the La-Roche Posay Anthelios Anti-Aging Daily Face Primer. Designed to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, this sunscreen is excellent for those with sensitive skin due to its unique and gentle formula featuring Cell-Ox shield, La Roche-Posay thermal water, and glycerin. Oil-free and dermatologist tested, this lightweight formula promises to blur the appearance of fine lines for a smoother and more youthful-looking appearance. This sunscreen is also fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and alcohol-free, so you never have to worry about using any harsh ingredients on your skin.
Water-Resistant French Sunscreens for Sports
If you’re a swimmer, do outdoor summer sports, or just love spending time in the water, you’re going to want to stock up on some strong water-resistant sunscreens to keep your skin safe.
I recommend the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Activewear Sport Body & Face Sunscreen. With SPF 60, this full-body sunscreen is designed to provide the body with the necessary sun protection while also maintaining a powerful water resistance for up to 80 minutes. With natural perlite being one of its key components, this sunscreen helps to deliver the body with broad-spectrum protection and is perfect for those with sensitive skin.
Eco-Friendly French Sunscreens
If you’re looking to keep it as natural and eco-friendly as possible when it comes to your sunscreen, you’ll want to look for sunscreens with natural mineral-based sunblocks with ingredients such as zinc/titanium dioxide in non-nano form.
My top pick is the Seventy One Eco Sun Spray. With a strong SPF 50, this sun spray is designed to help protect the skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays to keep it healthy and thriving wherever you go. With natural key ingredients such as organic buriti oil, jojoba oil, and soybean oil, this sunscreen helps to provide moisture, protection, and anti-aging properties all in one without any harsh chemicals or fragrances. This sunscreen is safe, gentle, and something you never have to feel guilty about using on your skin.
There are many fantastic French sunscreens out there for a variety of different skin concerns. From French-made sunscreens for acne-prone skin to sunscreen for anti-aging, I hope this article covering the top picks for the best French sunscreens for all skin types has helped you. Finding the best sunscreen suited for your individual needs takes time, but it’s worth it to keep your skin happy, healthy, and protected wherever you go!
You should also not forget your hair when it comes to sun protection. Read about the best hair sunscreens to shield your hair from the sun.
Enjoy your time under the sun knowing your skin is protected by the best French sunscreens available! Remember, reapply these French sunscreens every 2 hours, especially after taking a dip in the water.
Be sure to follow up with sun-exposed skin care after you go back inside.
Bon voyage!
