The French pharmacist who conquered London unveils The French Skincare Bible

“I wanted to demystify skincareâ€. There you have it, a company that is undoubtedly very ambitious at the forefront, but which absolutely does not frighten Marine Vincent, a French pharmacist based in London for more than 20 years. Marine has not only become, in a few years, the reference for French pharmacy in London, but also more broadly for French skincare, with a universe of its own.

 

However, its beginnings were modest: “When I arrived, I didn’t speak English very well…she remembers. She started in a French structure before training in English pharmacies: “Gradually, I was responsible in English pharmacies, within the NHS… But one idea never left her: creating her own project. Ten years ago, she took the plunge and launched the idea of ​​a parapharmacy with a multidisciplinary approach. “The idea was to work with therapists, to offer a more global vision.â€Â An innovative intuition, very little widespread at the time. And it works, success is immediate: “On this model I developed the online store The French Pharmacy, the press started to take an interest and the brands supported me.â€

 

“French skincare is renowned throughout the world…

 

The French Pharmacy, de concept local à pharmacie réfèrence de Londres 

 

Very quickly, the demand went beyond the local framework. “Everyone was asking me to open a store in central Londonâ€she says. In 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, she found premises in Marylebone and took care of the layout herself: “The idea was to reproduce this multidisciplinary approachâ€with several key areas, including French skincare. The store was launched in October 2020. “It was super intense. We have moved to another dimension,… she remembers. Quickly, the place became an important destination: “We have beauty editors, journalists, celebrities like Hailey Bieber or Isabelle Adjani, but also tourists.†Â

 

The success confirms the interest in French pharmacy: “French skincare is renowned throughout the world.â€

 

The Genesis of The French Skincare Bible

 

For a long time, the idea of ​​a book remained in the background in Marine’s mind: “I’ve always wanted to write, but I’m really 100% operational in my box, so I’ve never really taken the time to devote myself to it… Between the management of his business, the consultations, the store and the development of The French Pharmacy, the project seemed difficult to realize, until this unexpected message which changed everything: “One day I received an email from Bloomsbury. The publisher already had in mind a book on French skincare.†The pharmacist therefore discovers the profession of author… in all its splendor: “I was asked to propose a table of contents, to write a test chapter… then everything went to committee.†Â

 

While the project is validated, the real challenge begins. “I’ve been working on it for two years. I wrote during the summers, on weekends… she confides. And as is often the case with passionate experts, the book could have been much denser: “If the editors had listened to me, it would have been twice its current size! I wanted to be as comprehensive as possible, especially after more than 20 years of experience.â€Â 

 

A work between practical guide and philosophy of skincare, for April 23:Â

“This book is a guide to understanding your skin, deciphering the ingredients and creating your own French-style routine, simple and effective,†Navy poster. “A lot of people come to me and tell me that they no longer understand anything. We hear everything and its opposite, K-beauty, 20-step routines… I say: no, it’s not necessary…. Its philosophy is contained in a few essential gestures. “Cleanse, serum, cream and SPF in the morning. In the evening, make-up removal, serum, cream. That’s all.†An assumed simplicity, but above all coherent: “My ambition is that everyone finds products that make them happy to apply and that they are consistent. This is the key to results.â€

 

French beauty, a question “of culture and transmissionâ€

 

Beyond practical advice, Marine Vincent wanted to tell the story of a culture: “I really wanted to talk about French beauty in a broader sense. I think we also understand a country by its approach to beauty…. Skin care in France therefore does not come down to products, but to a global philosophy: “We have a very preventive approach, whether in health or beauty. For me, beauty comes from well-being.â€

 

It also evokes the rituals deeply anchored in French culture. “Thalassotherapy, clay, herbal teas, herbalism… these are very French practices…she notes. “There is also this ‘in and out’ approach, that is to say taking care of ourselves, through what we apply, but also through what we eat.†A holistic vision that distinguishes the French approach from international trends. Finally, in this book, she evokes a certain acceptance of the natural: “We (French women) try to have the healthiest skin possible, but without overdoing it. We embrace our individuality more than in other countries and I think it’s this side that the world envy of us…

 

“I wrote this book like the pharmacist that I am.â€

 

Basically, this book is the natural extension of Marine’s profession: “I wrote it like the pharmacist that I am, with my experience. Giving advice is what I do every day with my clients.†After the release of the book scheduled for April 23, the objective is clear: “The next step is the United States. This is my second market.†And the future remains open, according to her: “Sky is the limit.â€

However, the philosophy will remain the same, even across the Atlantic: “Find products that make you happy, be consistent… and keep things simple.†An approach born twenty years ago, which has established itself as a French signature and now appeals well beyond London. Besides, if Marine were to give us, exclusively, some advice it would be: “Beauty is not about complicating your routine, but rather about consistency, self-respect and the pleasure of taking care of your skin.â€