I don’t know who needs to hear this but Micellar water is not a face cleanser. It’s a makeup remover but it will leave a residue on your face.
I’ve developed a bit of an interest in the whole French Pharmacy phenomenon.
The nice thing about pharmacies in France is that you don’t just get products sold by the big names (L’Oreal, etc.). You also get products that are made in France. The products are good, and because they’re available at the pharmacy, they’re affordable.
One staple from France is the whole concept of “Miceller water” – this is a makeup remover that’s not an oil and water mixture. It’s water-based, non-oily, but still manages to take off all makeup. The Nars Cleansing Water was developed on this premise and that’s why it’s so awesome. The waters also point to the European tradition of not washing your face and instead just cleansing it when needed. North Americans have the habit of scrubbing (I think that’s why we all love our Clairsonics so much) and that can lead to aggravating the skin. European tradition believes on being more kind to your skin (especially to your face), which helps it look better in the long run. Many French pharmacy products help you do this by being basic but working the way that they’re supposed to. You won’t find a lot of hyped ingredients in the products, but the products will end up doing what they’re supposed to.
Thankfully, now you don’t have to go to France to experience some of the products for yourself.
Bioderma, a brand from Lyon, France, is now available at Shoppers Drug Mart and online, and has tons of amazing products at reasonable prices.
If you’re checking out the line, you have to try their Atoderm Nourishing Cream ($19) which is sold in a huge pump and is perfect for dry skin. It’s paraben free, hypoallergenic and has just a light perfume. The cream is quite rich, and although the label says that it’s for face and body, if you don’t have dry skin on your face, you might find that this is a bit too much for the face.
The Bioderma Nourishing Cream is iconic of French pharma products – the packaging is simple, and the cream itself is simple too. There’s not a lot of hype with it, but it just works. If you check out the rest of the line, also check out its Miceller Waters which come in handy pump bottles and are safe to use on your face and body.
Check out the entire Bioderma line at drugstores now.
In defence of us in North America we can afford to wash our face because we don’t have the crappy water that Europe has.
I do feel that it’s something about the culture too though… we do a lot of makeup here, and so there’s a need to be squeaky clean afterwards. Agreed that the water there isn’t great though! You don’t feel clean afterwards!
To say the water isn’t very clean in Europe is a bit of a generalisation, in my opnion.
In most of the UK we are blessed with some of the best and cleanest water anywhere in the world. Where it does vary by region, though, is hardness/harshness to the skin.
I agree with your analysis re the differing European and North American (and Canadian) attitudes where skin products are concerned.
Love your blog.
HIiii Helen!
Sorry, TOTALLY didn’t mean to imply that the water wasn’t clean! 🙂
I’m glad you love the blog. I love the UK!
I love your blog. I went out and purchased the Bioderma lotion and I have to say that it is a great moisturizer. I have been using it for about nine days and I can already feel a difference in my skin. It actually looks smoother and shinier as well. Great recommendation on this product. I always enjoy trying things that you suggest. Thanks 🙂
HI Britt, glad it worked for you! I’m still using this lotion and I absolutely love it.