Whenever we have a skin problem, the first person we should see is a dermatologist. French women, however, seek a different healthcare professional to get their enviable skin looking effortlessly clear and radiant: they see their pharmacist.
“We don’t have the large drugstore, American style, so you get to know your pharmacists,” says Natcha Bonjout, pharmacist and founder of Bonjout Beauty. “It’s usually a team of three to four. They see you go through life phases and can adjust [their] recommendations, like dermatologists would,” she says. “But French pharmacists have access to the latest skin care products. In short, French women trust their pharmacists.”
French girl beauty has long been an obsession for beauty lovers everywhere. It’s chic, yet effortless, but it really is a mindset to capture that elusive je ne sais quois. “[It’s] about embracing natural elegance and simplicity,” Bonjout says. “It focuses on minimal makeup, highlighting a fresh, glowing complexion. Hair is typically styled to look effortlessly chic and slightly undone.”
So who better than Bonjout to trust with our French girl skincare needs? Having come from a line of women she says are “obsessed with skincare,” a brand of her own has been a dream since Bonjout was 12. But to do that, she followed the advice of chemist and professor Christine Poelman, who told her that she would need to study pharmacy to become a skin expert. And that’s exactly what she did.
Years as a pharmacist where she tested and reviewed products for Pierre Fabre, who owns beloved French beauty brands such as Avène and Klorane, and worked with L’Oreal and Estée Lauder on formulations for their products. “Over 15 years, I’ve tried hundreds of cosmetic formulations and screened thousands of active ingredients,” she says.
Then came the time to take a leap of faith and create a product of her own. She knew immediately what kind of product she wanted to launch with. “A balm is the healing salve and has always been the most precious ointment to save and restore your skin. I wanted to bring a serum in its most efficient formula: a balmy texture, biocompatible to your skin,” she says.
Working with 12 labs and going through 120 iterations, she finally got it just right. Le Balm is a solid serum that goes on lightweight and fully absorbs into the skin. It’s a universal formula and works on all skin types, even on the most sensitive skin. The best part? It can be used on your face, neck, lips, and décolleté.
The result is a cult product, beloved by beauty editors, experts, and pretty much everyone who tries it. Made with nourishing ingredients, such as ceramides, squalane, and plant native cells such as prickly pear and blue hibiscus, the balm does it all. It soothes, moisturizes, and plumps the skin while also repairs the skin barrier and helps boost your natural radiance. It’s become an essential in most skincare routines, especially if you’re looking to really nail down French girl beauty.
There are a couple of other simple things she says to consider to get your skin looking and feeling healthy. First, you’ll want to choose a few high-quality products over having a large collection of things. French women prefer to invest in key products that are gentle on the skin (they avoid harsh treatments and over-exfoliation) with soothing and nourishing ingredients. If something is multi-tasking, even better.
Next, you’ll have to be consistent with your regimen, sticking to a simple day-to-day routine with the occasional treatment indulgent, such as a facial and massage. “Consistency is key,” she says. “French women adhere to a daily skincare routine that typically includes cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and protecting their skin with SPF.”
But beauty is a holistic approach and French women understand that a balanced diet, hydration, good sleep, and finding ways to de-stress in any way they can can significantly impact skin health. And there is no such thing as looking perfect. “The French beauty ethos celebrates natural beauty and individuality,” she says. “Instead of striving for perfection, they embrace their unique features and focus on enhancing them.”
Some products she’s loving and recommends are the SVR Creme SPF 50+, Caudalie’s Grape Water Moisturizing Face Mist and Vinoperfect Serum, and CIBLE Skin Paris Serum Le Power. And for French girl beauty loyalists, there are two rules one must abide straight from a quintessential French girl. “Consistency and patience are keys to achieving results,” she says. “Listen to your skin; it is smarter and knows better than anyone what is good for it.”