French people expect effective, natural skincare. Yet a third of consumers do not know which active ingredients they are applying to their skin. This is one of the key findings of the 2026 Skin Barometer, carried out by the brand Typology and the polling organisation Ifop.
The survey combines the results of two independently conducted studies. On October 7 and 8, 2026, Ifop surveyed 1,000 people over the age of 18 online, representing the French population. Typology analyzed 791,045 skin assessments completed on its website during the first half of 2026, primarily in France, the United States, Japan, and Germany. These assessments are self-evaluations.
Simple routines
According to Ifop, 84% of French people use facial skincare products. On average, they apply three to four products per day. Women under 35 use five. They prefer moisturizers (80%), serums (48%), and eye creams (30%). Men are less likely to use skincare products. Thirty-one percent of them use a moisturizer.
Supermarkets remain the primary shopping channel, cited by 64% of respondents. Next come pharmacies (40%) and beauty stores (22%). Women primarily turn to pharmacies and drugstores (48%), while 73% of men buy their cosmetics at supermarkets. 28% of users shop online (37% among those under 35).
High expectations, limited knowledge
Value for money is the top criterion for choosing a product (61%), ahead of effectiveness (57%) and natural ingredients (45%). Expectations vary depending on skin type. Those with oily skin want transparency regarding ingredients …
