French women follow a daily beauty routine because it helps keep the skin looking healthy and glowing, promotes better sleep, reduces stress levels, and improves overall confidence.
Following a consistent beauty routine each day also helps stay ahead of any potential skin problems and prevent them from happening in the first place. Taking the time to care for yourself can help make you feel more beautiful inside and out!
There are lots of French beauty routines to follow on Instagram and YouTube. Here is the general routine most of them share.
Daytime Skincare Routine
Shower
French women often start their day with a shower. Every day, they use moisturizing body soap, body wash, or shower gel. They might use shampoo for their hair type if needed. The key goal is to cleanse the body and refresh the hair. It’s important for proper hygiene!
Lotion
French women then apply body lotion or body oil after showering to keep the skin on the body soft and moisturized.
Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Balm Ultra-Nourishing Body Cream for Dry Skin, 16.9 Fl Oz
(as of February 14, 2026 17:14 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Applying body lotion is an important part of any daily beauty routine. It helps keep skin hydrated and supple, which prevents it from drying out, cracking, or becoming irritated. Body lotions can also help to decrease the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin’s brightness.
They can help relieve dryness due to cold temperatures, wind, air-conditioning and heated rooms. Applying body lotion can also make your skin look healthier and feel smoother.
If your skin is extra dry, try a nourishing body oil from France.
Wash the Face
Facial skincare can be done inside the shower or at the sink if you prefer to shower at night. Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser meant for your skin type. Most skincare brands make a face wash that is formulated for oily, dry, or combination skin. Pat your skin dry with a fresh hand towel after washing it.
Caudalie Vinopure Salicylic Acid Cleanser, Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser - 150 mL
(as of February 14, 2026 04:14 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Apply a Daytime Serum
Next, French girls apply a daytime serum to their freshly washed faces. Choose a serum that works for your specific needs.
Serums are typically lightweight and easily absorbed into the skin, unlike other facial products. They contain high concentrations of active ingredients that penetrate deeper into the skin, which gives them a powerful anti-aging effect.
Applying serums can help to reduce wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines, improve hydration and firmness, and brighten the complexion. Serums are loaded with nutrients that nourish your skin to help protect it from environmental damage.
Moisturize
Next up, the French beauty routine includes replenishing the hydration that has been stripped away by face washing.
Face cream is an important step of any daily beauty routine because it helps protect skin from external aggressors such as sun, wind and pollution. It also helps to keep skin hydrated and moisturized, which prevents it from becoming dry or flaky.
Face creams and moisturizers can help reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging, improve texture, and reduce redness. Face cream also often contains antioxidants like Vitamin E that help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Regular use of face cream can make skin look healthy and well-nourished.
Daytime Makeup Routine
Once the facial skin has been properly cleaned and prepped, it’s time to apply makeup. French girls go with light, natural, and simple makeup on most days.
The steps to a simple French girl daily makeup look include:
Concealer
Apply a lightweight concealer under the eyes and over any dark spots. I love the Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion concealer.
Tinted Moisturizer
Apply a tinted moisturizer with SPF. Tinted moisturizer works to give your skin an even tone without weighing it down like a heavy foundation. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturzer is a classic.
Mascara
Use lightweight mascara on the eyes. The Lancome Hypnose mascara is a great everyday favorite.
Tinted Lip Balm
Apply lipstick or tinted lip balm to give gentle color to the lips and make them stand out. Dior Lip Glow is a cult favorite across France!
Nighttime Routine
At night, the French beauty routine includes removing makeup with a gentle makeup remover like the Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water solution.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
(as of February 14, 2026 04:58 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Once makeup has been removed, toner is applied.
Next, a nighttime serum is used all over the face. You can find different night serums that target different skincare issues if you need to. For example, there are hydrating serums, anti-wrinkle serums, and detoxifying serums that French women love to use overnight.
Finally, a night cream is applied if the skin is extra dry or it’s wintertime. If you struggle with acne or wrinkles, consider using a retinol cream at night. A313 is a popular French night serum.
Once or twice a week, French girls love to exfoliate their skin to remove dead skin cells and promote regeneration.
You should also use a French face mask once or twice a week. This can be done in the morning or at night. Gabrielle Caunesil swears by the Avène Soothing Radiance mask.
Cattier Green Clay Mask Ready for Use with All Natural Ingredients 400 Gr
(as of February 14, 2026 12:24 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Voila – now you know what the typical French beauty routine is really like!
