Celebs Love Using This French Pharmacy Cream Under Makeup

Collage of Alix Earle, Sofia Richie Grainge, and Sophia Culpo.

(Image credit: @alix_earle; @sofiagrainge; Getty Images)

published 8 August 2025

Skin prep is seriously underrated, and I know so many makeup artists who will back me up on this. Most people tend to focus on the foundation and concealer they use, thinking that their makeup will look airbrushed if they find the right ones. While finding the right makeup products is certainly important, it's skin prep that *really* sets you up for success. In fact, it's a major reason why celebrities always look so flawless on the red carpet.

That's why I'm always desperate to know what skin-prep products they use, and today, I did just that. I found out that Sofia Richie Grainge, Alix Earle, and Sophia Culpo all use the same iconic French pharmacy cream before applying makeup. Richie Grainge calls it her holy grail. Earle uses it to get her back on track after acne flare-ups. Culpo calls it her tried-and-true. Ahead, see the exact product they use and shop some of my other French pharmacy faves.

Avène

Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream

This French pharmacy cream moisturizes dry skin, soothes inflammation, and strengthens the natural barrier with ingredients like Avène thermal spring water, copper, and zinc sulfate. It's so gentle it's used on infants and to treat eczema.

What really sets it apart, though, is its texture. It's thick, which means it moisturizes and smooths dry, damaged skin; boosts glow; and has a slightly grippy texture that works a little bit like a makeup primer. Take it from Richie Grainge, who recently talked about it in a Vogue Beauty Secrets video. "This is my holy grail, and I always apply it under my makeup because I feel like my makeup is so pretty on top of this," she says. "It's thick. It's pasty. This is one of those creams you need to warm up. The more you warm it up in your hand, the more you warm it up on your face, the glowier and more gorgeous it looks."

5 More Editor-Approved French Pharmacy Products

Avène

Thermal Spring Water

This iconic face mist is supercharged with one ingredient—Avène's thermal spring water. Use it to hydrate, soothe, and refresh your skin throughout the day.

Nuxe

Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil

This multipurpose dry oil can be used on the face, body, and hair. It's lightweight and nongreasy and smells divine. It might even make you skip perfume.

Embryolisse

Lait-Crème Concentré

Another iconic French pharmacy product, Embryolisse's Lait-Crème Concentré can be used as a moisturizer, primer, face mask, and even makeup remover.

Homeoplasmine

This ointment moisturizes and soothes dry, cracked skin.

Bioderma

Sensibio H2O Micellar Water

Editors, makeup artists, and celebrities love this makeup-removing micellar water.

Kaitlyn McLintock is a Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. She has 10 years of experience in the editorial industry, having previously written for other industry-leading publications, like Byrdie, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, and others. She covers all things beauty and wellness-related, but she has a special passion for creating skincare content (whether that's writing about an innovative in-office treatment, researching the benefits of a certain ingredient, or testing the latest and greatest at-home skin device). Having lived in Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas, she has since relocated back to her home state, Michigan. When she's not writing, researching, or testing beauty products, she's working through an ever-growing book collection or swimming in the Great Lakes.