Sun-Kissed but Never Sun-Burnt: my Favourite French Pharmacy Suncare in 2025

Sun-Kissed but Never Sun-Burnt: my Favourite French Pharmacy Suncare in 2025
suncare after sun clarins vichy avene piz buin thermal water uriage

I have been spending a lot of time in the pool, either alone, with my husband or with friends. I love lounging around the blue water, being outdoors, soaking up the sun, have a sparkling water filled with ice and lemon slices. As I became a heavy swimming pool user in the past few weeks, I have been more exposed than ever to the Sun and UVA and UVB rays.

I have spent the past 20 years being extremely careful about sun protection on my face as an acne-prone girl. Even when I don't leave the house, I always wear an SPF 50+ sunscreen and I mentally judge people who don't wear sunscreen on a daily basis. With the level of information about sun care in all forms of media, I am sure that ignorance is a choice at this point.

I do naturally tan very easily: just half an hour under the sun and I am a few shades darker. I don't like tanning on my face - hence always using protective gear other than sunscreen, like a hat! - but I love tanned shoulders and legs, I think it gives me a great glow, especially when I want to wear my dresses and skirts.

Here are a few of the products I use before heading outside to the scorching tropical heat in my side of the world:

Suncare on my face ☀️

Avène Ultra Light SPF 50+ Sunscreen

As aforementioned - and never said enough! - I use sunscreen on my face every day - even when I don't leave the house. Usually, Avène's Fragrance Free formulas are one of my favourite of all as they penetrate the skin really quickly. Which is super practical as my morning routine needs to be fast! I loved this Ultra Light formula, also aimed for protection against blue light.

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Avène Mineral Cream SPF 50+

I usually love all Avène formulas, but this one wasn't for me unfortunately but I still wanted to write about it. It's the good side of creating non-sponsored content. This specific sunscreen has a strong smell and leaves an almost permanent white cast. My husband says I look ghostly when I use it on my face, so I decided to finish it using on the most sensitive skin on my body: knees and feet. I will not purchase this one again!

Suncare on my body

I do not wear sunscreen on my body on a daily basis, only when I will have sun exposure, either during a road trip, an outdoor event or whilst lounging around the pool.

Vichy Capital Soleil SPF 50+ Body & Face

Vichy is such an elegant French beauty brand but they go all out with their suncare range with a bright orange colour. Same as Avène for the equivalent range! I have this product in two different versions: in a spray and in a huge tube. I have currently been using the spray one on my body.

The much forgotten After-Sun Care

After a day under the sun and after applying sunscreen throughout the day, it's time for a much awaited shower and replenishing immediate moisture to your skin. Thus enters the after sun care with appropriate cream, gels and sprays, to hydrate, refresh and also prolong your tan, if that is what you are aiming for.

Clarins Refreshing Aftersun (Cream & Gel)

Enriched with antioxidants, this Clarins formula promises to also prolong your tan. I have both the cream and the gel. The cream is a richer texture and is smooth on application. The gel is clearer and is more easily absorbed. Both are great formulas and do the deed.

Piz Buin After Sun Lotion

I had never heard of this brand before my husband came into my life. As he is not a very keen sunscreen user - he was raised to only use once at the beach! - he only naturally purchased these in the summer. And sometimes when we are out in the sun, I grab what he has. Lately he has been using this after sun and I like the texture. Although I love the bright blue packaging, I am not the biggest fan of this brand, at least not yet. But I will never say no to using it for free.

Uriage Bariésun

I also have two versions of this product: a bottle with a pump and a spray. I just finished the bottle one after a few years of usage and tested the spray for the first time and fell completely in love with the smoothness after application. Your skin feels relieved from the sun exposure, moisturised and shiny. And I love love love the smell, I immediately feel I am on vacation - whilst I am not! - after applying it because of that warm sunny feeling embrace.

suncare after sun clarins vichy avene piz buin thermal water uriage suncare products by the pool

What about Sun Oils?

My husband is way keener on suncare oils than sunscreen so they better have protection. Here are two other French Pharmacy favourites:

Institut Esthederm L'Huile Solaire Protective Suncare Oil

Aimed for both body and hair, I first discovered this product when a beauty lover friend gave me one a few years ago. And my husband Bruno became obsessed to this day, so this is our second bottle. Yet it does not have SPF, so... there's that and don't go by the marketing copy using the word protection... This oil is ideal for sun-tolerant skin, offering a silky, luxurious feel while helping prevent wrinkles, brown spots, and dehydration. It smells great but don't think you are "protected" from UVA/UVB rays just applying this one.

Nuxe Sun SPF 30+ Bronzing Suncare Oil / Huile Solaire Bronzante

This french icon is beloved for its addictive, beachy scent and nourishing blend of botanical oils. Great for both body or hair leaves a dry-touch satin finish that doesn’t feel greasy, perfect for everyday use or beachside lounging. Its formula includes rice and rosemary extracts to fight photo-aging and keep your skin supple. All in all, it not only smells divine, it feels divine as well. And this one has SPF 30+ so it's the real deal.

Nuxe Sun SPF 30+ Huile Solaire - Institut Esthederm Protective Sun Care Oil

Disclaimer: I would not apply either on my face. My husband uses these solo, I put it after proper SPF 50+ sunscreen. Called it double barrier mode for me!

My French Suncare Secret

Last but not least, I think this is one of the most open french skincare secrets: thermal water, thermal water, thermal water. Most brands base their main ingredient on thermal water and that is what also makes French skincare products being one of the most praised in the world. And there is not a french woman that doesn't have a little bottle of Thermal Water spray in hand, as a part of her make up routine and especially her suncare rituals.

I have two favourite brands for thermal water spray: Avène Eau Thermale and Uriage Eau Thermale. Right now, I have a small Avène spray bottle always in tow. I use it during sun exposure for that immediate freshness and relief. It helps keep one's skin moisturised and rejuvenated. I just love it! Of course, you could splash some water on your face, but how French, medicinal and elegant would that truly be?

Inspired by...

...Andreea Ali

All my beauty articles should have an "inspired by" or "influenced by" section. And if they had, most would be by Andreea Ali, a Romanian make up artist based in Paris whom I love and hooked me into this brand a few months ago.

She just launched a video about testing 30 sunscreens in 3 months, both for pre makeup and post makeup application.

As Andreea also has an acne-prone skin - I can totally relate! - I really love how she always talks about the importance of daily sunscreen. No wonder she looks that young and stunning even when she films without makeup.

... Fleur de Force

I also loved Fleur de Force's round up from a few years ago. I also love La Roche-Posay's suncare range Anthelios which I have used a lot in the past but I am clearly in an Avène phase at the moment. But I am a faithful LPR customer, I might be back soon enough, but let me go through my stash first!

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