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Autumn is in the air as the leaves on the Champ-de-Mars turn warm hues of orange and gold. The days grow colder and shorter. As the season progresses, cashmere scarves and heavier coats come out of storage onto busy cities streets. One of the first stops in preparing for colder weather is always the coveted pharmacie. Here, Parisians in the know stock up on products to protect their skin from the elements. For those that cannot access the beauty mecca that is a French pharmacy, the products below can help you achieve that French je ne sais quoi. 

For Skin SOS

If you have spent your summer holiday lounging à la plage, autumn marks the time to repair sun damage. Start by adding Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Serum to your daily routine. This addition is full of antioxidants. It helps reverse skin discoloration caused by environmental damage (we’re looking at you, sun and pollution) while boosting your skin’s own defenses. The product also helps you achieve an even skin tone, giving you that natural French girl glow (oui, s’il vous plait).  

Nourish sun-dried strands with Klorane’s Cupuaçu Hair Mask. This hydrating mask can be used in the shower, overnight, or as a leave-in cream depending on your personal needs. For those struggling to part with your summer glow, stock up on the iconic Nuxe’s Huile Prodiguese in Original or Or. The micro-particles in this dry oil will leave your hair and body hydrated and shimmering through cooler months. 

For Facing Autumn 

Autumn brings elements that are not always friendly to our face. Cooler air and changing temperatures can leave skin dry and showing signs of stress. The simple Parisian approach to beauty focuses on skin care, and this is now more important than ever.  Micellar waters gently cleanse and tone skin, and are always popular.  For a deeper clean, a hydrating cleanser like La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser balance your skin’s pH levels while preserving essential natural oils. It has the ability to take the dirt and makeup of the day off, while leaving skin clean and comfortable. Even though autumn skin care focuses on repair and hydration, it is essential to keep dead skin cells from building up on your face and body.  By exfoliating once or twice a week, you help resurface skin, keeping it smooth, and allowing products to be more readily absorbed. Ideal for year-round use, La Roche Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer is also a cold weather favorite. This facial moisturizer has a beautiful consistency that absorbs into skin and leaves a protective barrier. Caudalie’s Vinosource-Hydro Overnight Recovery Face Oil is another product that those in the know reach for. The scent of fresh cut roses will send you off for sweet dreams while the oil repairs and hydrates skin. Show your lips love with Caudalie’s Lip Conditioner. Made with natural ingredients like grapeseed oil, lips are left protected and soothed. 

Finally, remember that while it is important to nourish Autumn skin, it is also essential to protect it. In any season, sunscreen is perhaps the most important step to any skin care routine. Start your morning right with Anthelios Anti-Aging Primer with SPF 50 by La Roche Posay. This face primer protects skin and visibly reduces fine lines and pores, making it the perfect start to your day.

Left: Parisian streets lined with brown colored trees during sunset. Right: A woman in a beige trench coat stands in front of a bar with green parasols.
Top: Parisian skyline, @erika.kostialova / Cozy beauty, @lapresqueparisienne
Above: As the leaves turn brown, @franck_lammens / Une parisienne waiting, @petch77

For Late Nights 

From catch ups with friends that extend into the early hours or looming school and work deadlines, late nights always show on your skin. Put your best face forward with Klorane’s Smoothing Eye Patches. A 15-minute miracle, your under-eye areas will have smoother lines and a reduction in dark circles. The cult favorite Klorane Dry Shampoo is also a morning go-to. With a range of choices including a version for dark hair, there is one for everyone. For a pick me up anytime, a spritz of Caudalie’s Grape Water Moisturizing Face Mist offers instant plant-based hydration and soothing. 

For Cozy Nights at Home

As the evenings grow colder, borrow the concept of Hygge from the Danes. Create a comforting home environment that will leave you looking forward to your evening rituals. Aprés your evening beauty routine, nourish yourself from the inside with Caudalie’s Draining Organic Herbal Tea. Diptyque Paris’s  candle in Feu de Bois is the perfect companion to an evening spent with Ageless Beauty the French Way by Clémence von Mueffling. This classic book offers a fascinating insight into the culture of French beauty. Full of advice from three generations of French beauty experts, this makes for ideal cozy evening reading. 

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Written by Amy Jacobson for HiP Paris. Looking to travel? Check out Plum Guide and our Marketplace for fabulous vacation rentals in Paris, France or Italy. Looking to rent long or short term, or buy in France? Ask us! We can connect you to our trusted providers for amazing service and rates or click here. Looking to bring France home to you or to learn online or in person? Check out our marketplace shop and experiences.

WRITTEN BY

Amy Jacobson

Originally from New York, Amy spends her time dreaming of croissants la vie Parisienne. Passionate about culture, history, and new experiences, Amy fulfills her Wanderlust dreams by globe trotting with her husband and 2 home schooled children, while documenting it along the way. Amy adores the ballet, books, hunting in the brocantes of Paris, and all things skincare. When staying closer to home Amy loves cuddling her 3 cocker spaniels and 2 ponies.

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