French Pharmacy Skincare: Bioderma Sebium H2O

So after trying and loving both the La Roche Posay and Vichy Miceller Solutions,but finding I was getting through them really quickly I finally decided to try Bioderma’s H20. Even with shipping this works out a lot better value for money.

I got the version for oily/combination skin, but the range also includes one for sensitive skin, which is fragrance free. The Sebium H20 does contain fragrance ( although it is the last ingredient, so I would assume not massive quantities) and also contain Citric Acid, to help control oil.

I use this in the same way I use the Vichy or La Rochy Posay, with about three cotton pads, one for each eye and one for my face. So how does it compare to other Miceller Waters? Personally I think it knocks the socks of the others I have tried! It removed my eye make up a lot better, but still leaves no residue or stinging, and I feel it does help to control oil a lot better.

Price wise, as I said it is a lot more cost effective with a 500ml bottle costing around  £15 including shipping (I used this seller on eBay) compared to over £10 for the Vichy and La Roche Posay both of which only contain 250ml.

I have definitely found my perfect make up remover and I will not be without it! Yes it is a little hard to get hold of, and is more expensive here than in France, but it still cheaper than versions available here, and more importantly it works!

I’ll definitely be trying more products from Bioderma, and would really recommend the seller I used, the product arrived in 2 days and was well packaged.

French Pharmacy Skincare: Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser

Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser is as the name would suggest a very gentle cleanser for sensitive and reactive skin. My skin is very sensitive and will flare up at the smallest thing. During a bad patch with my skin last month, even my beloved Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish was breaking me out so I needed to try something new. I picked this up from Boots when it was on 3 for 2 and have used it for just over a month now.

This cleanser doesn’t make any ridiculous claims, it just cleanses the skin really well without irritation. The texture is somewhere between a milk and a gel and it doesn’t foam. I use this after I remove my make up with a Micellar Water, but I have used just this, and it removes make up effectively, including mascara. The bottle says too tissue this off but I prefer to use a damp muslin cloth.

It is perfect for sensitive skin, it has no scent, and I haven’t had any bad reactions to it.

This leaves my skin feeling really clean but not stripped or uncomfortable. I love this because it does what it is supposed do, cleanse your skin, it wont give you perfect skin, but it’s a great staple for your skincare routines.

Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser costs £8.00 and is avaliable from Boots or Escentual

French Pharmacy Skincare: Micellar Solutions

Skincare has become a bit of an obsession lately. I have discovered a lot of  new products and brands that I had never tried.  I didn’t really know anything about French pharmacy brands, that was until I started watching Lisa Eldridge’s and A Model Recommends videos. That combined with the current 1/3 off at www.escentual.com/ and the 3 for 2 at Boots (finished on Tuesday) has meant I have now found my self with quite a stash of French Skincare.

Micellar Solutions are make up removers/cleansers, and in the bottle they jus look like water. Micellars are an oil in water formula which make make up removal really quick and easy. The most famous Micellar is the Bioderma Crealine H20, which I haven’t tried as it is very hard to get hold of in the UK.

I am currently using two Micellars; La Roche Posay Physiological Micellar Solution and Vichy Normaderm Micellar Solution (For Imperfection Prone Skin). They both remove make up really quickly and leave my skin feeling clean and fresh. I use three cotton pads; one for my face and one each for my eyes. I leave the ones on my eyes on for as long as possible, so they can really break down the make up, and I then don’t have to rub my eyes at all.

Unlike face wipes (which I despise) they don’t just rub the make up and grime around your face, they seem to just hoover up all the product from my face! Although these are very good at removing make up, they are very gentle and suitable for all skin types.

I have sensitive oily skin that is also very reactive. If my skin doesn’t like something, I will know about it the next morning! I haven’t had any bad reactions to either of these, but I do feel the Vichy one suits me better. There isn’t a massive difference between the two but the Vichy Normaderm makes me less oily than I usually would be.

I usually use these before doing a second cleanse with whatever cleanser I am using (currently Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser) but if I’m so tired all I want to do is go to bed I will just use one of these. I have also used them for cleansing in the morning, when my skin is too sensitive to use water.

I will be doing a couple more of these posts about other types/brands of French Skincare I am loving, which at the minute is a lot as it all seems to work for my sensitive skin.

If you are interested in French Pharmacy Brand you should definitely check out this video from A Model Recommends (link) and this one from Lisa Eldridge (link)

Do you use any French Pharmacy Brands? Let me know in the comments!