Our top pick? Le Petit Marseillais’ Extra Gentle Body Wash Cream >
Begin or conclude your day with an invigorating sensation by indulging in a sumptuously rich French body wash.
However, the ideal choice for you hinges on your scent preference and your inclination towards French pharmacy skincare products. We have curated a list of 14 best French body washes, taking into account these considerations. Experience the luxury!
Most Popular French Body Wash
In our previous article on best French soaps, we emphasized how Provençal brands reign supreme in delivering a luxurious yet affordable daily spa-like experience. Noteworthy among these are Le Petit Marseillais, Pre de Provence, and L’Occitane – three highly acclaimed brands boasting an array of products that have attained cult status, particularly their body wash lines.
A standout product that has captured the hearts of consumers across France— is Le Petit Marseillais’ irresistible body wash cream. It is gentle on your skin, wallet-friendly, pleasing to the olfactory senses and environmentally friendly – it’s hard to find any downsides to this product.
For those who have a preference for shower gels over creams, Pre de Provence’s lavish Rose de Mai shower gel comes highly recommended due to its rich bubbly lather. If you’re inclined towards more premium options, L’Occitane’s Shower Gel with a captivating and refreshing verbena fragrance turns your daily shower into an authentic pleasure-filled experience.
Having personally tested all three products, my favorite remains the Extra Gentle Shower Cream by Le Petit Marseillais. Its neutral pH and creamy formula leave your skin feeling incredibly soft while its scent can only be described as heavenly.
#1 — Extra Gentle Body Wash Cream by Le Petit Marseillais
An extra gentle body wash cream.
What makes it special? Its moisturizing formula produces a silky, easily rinsable foam that not only cleanses but also nourishes your skin, leaving it feeling supple and well-hydrated. The delightful scent of carefully selected cherry blossoms adds an indulgent touch to your daily routine. This body wash maintains a pH-neutral balance, making it suitable for everyday use and gentle enough for even sensitive skin types. In addition to its remarkable qualities, it is 100% recyclable and 98% biodegradable.
Which skin types? Suitable for all skin types including sensitive ones.
#2 — Rose de Mai Shower Gel by Pre de Provence
A traditional, gentle French shower gel.
What makes it special? Whether you’re indulging in a leisurely bath or grabbing a swift shower to kickstart your day, immerse yourself in the luxurious, frothy lather of exquisite Rose de Mai. It tenderly purifies your skin while bestowing a petal-like softness upon it. For an all-encompassing traditional French skincare ritual, combine it with other products from the Rose de Mai collection.
Which skin types? It’s ideal for normal skin types.
#3 — Verbena Shower Gel by L’Occitane
A luxurious, traditional French shower gel.
What makes it special? Imagine immersing yourself in a revitalizing and invigorating aromatherapy experience, reminiscent of the scent of Provence. Every dollop of this high-end, fragrant body wash unveils the sharp, citrusy scent of L’Occitane verbena, saturating your skin with hydrating essential oils that refresh and moisturize.
Which skin types? It’s perfect for all skin types – even the most delicate ones. Experience the best French body wash today.
Best French Pharmacy Body Wash
If you’re a skincare enthusiast, French pharmacy brands offer some of the most unique and dermatologist-approved body wash formulas that are extremely gentle and nourishing for your skin. However, it’s often a close contest when it comes to identifying the best between Avene and La Roche Posay – two renowned brands known for their hypoallergenic, soap-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic products that are safe for infants *and* infused with their signature thermal spring water.
While ‘fragrance-free’ products may not always be completely devoid of any scent and might reveal some unexpected chemical odors typically masked by pleasant fragrances in regular non-pharmacy products. This seems to be particularly true for Avene’s Trixera Cleanser which has a strong smell but offers numerous benefits if you can tolerate the odor as it is one of the best body washes that support & replenish moisture barriers.
However, if this isn’t your preference then it might be *best* to steer clear of this product. We find ourselves leaning towards La Roche Posay’s Lipikar Body Wash due to its less intense aroma and its synbiotic formula (containing both pre-biotics AND pro-biotics) which aids in maintaining your skin’s natural microbiome.
#1 — Lipikar Wash AP+ Body & Face Wash by La Roche Posay
A gentle body wash for normal-to-dry skin.
What makes it special? Its effectiveness and gentleness on sensitive skin has been thoroughly verified through multiple tests. The Lipikar body wash instantly seals in moisture and shields the skin from the dehydrating effects of water, resulting in a soft and hydrated complexion.
The pared-down formula incorporates La Roche Posay’s premium ingredients, making it appropriate for even the most sensitive skin, including newborns from their first day of life. It can also function as a facial cleanser, but we suggest investing in a dedicated face wash because facial skin is significantly thinner and more sensitive than body skin. Take a look at our top French face wash article!
Which type of skins can use it? It’s gentle enough to be used on infants’ tender and sensitive skin.
#2 — Trixera Nutrition Nutri-Fluid Cleanser by Avene
A nourishing, moisturizing, protective body wash.
What makes it special? Its eco-friendly, soap-less composition tenderly purifies and nurtures even the most delicate skin types. This product replenishes your skin’s innate moisture shield by providing essential lipids that aid in preventing dehydration, thus pacifying dry to extremely dry skin; a delightful indulgence for every family member.
Who can use it? It is ideal for all skin types: from infants to adults and can be used for both face and body cleansing.
Best Perfumed French Body Wash ( #1 -#9)
After exploring the best French perfumes, we felt an irresistible urge to explore their equivalent body washes. There’s a unique pleasure derived from pairing the perfect French shower gel with a matching perfume.
Typically designed for normal skin types, these fragrance-rich shower gels offer an invigorating beginning to your day, immersing you in your chosen aroma that will linger around you throughout the day and night. Be ready for a flurry of compliments and inquiries from people curious about where they can purchase it for themselves.
If you’re uncertain about which perfume or fragrance suits you best, consider this as your gateway into the enticing world of French fragrances – dipping your toes in, so to speak. Our top picks (which also appear to be loved by thousands of others based on their impeccable online reviews) are Coco Mademoiselle Foaming Shower Gel and Miss Dior Foaming Shower Gel. Whether used as an occasional indulgence or as a daily staple, you’ll cherish every moment spent with them.
Round off your daily bathing ritual with the best French shampoo!
Conclusion
Choosing the best French body wash boils down to personal preference, skin type, and desired fragrance. Our top 14 picks represent the epitome of French luxury and skincare science, ensuring a nourishing and invigorating bathing experience.
So take your daily shower routine to a whole new level by incorporating these exceptional French body washes. Start exploring our recommendations today and discover a fresher, smoother, and revitalized skin every day.
