French women spend about $2.2 billion a year on facial skin care, as much as Spanish, German and British women put together. That’s no surprise when you consider the time and effort that French women spend on their skincare regimes? They are famous for their fabulous skin - glowing and always natural.

Facials, massages and anti-cellulite treatments are to French women what running, aerobics and yoga antidote are to North American women. In Paris there are beauty centers on every rue, avenue and boulevard.

The first time we went to Paris, we were amazed by the make-up-free look. Women of whatever age simply weren't wearing mascara, blush or concealer! They must have been spending all their time tending to the size of their pores.

When we moved to Paris ourselves, we found an exceptional facial expert who read the map of our face the way geologists read the rock forms in the mountains of Peru. Sophie studied our skin and adapted her standard facial to exactly suit the unique qualities of our skin. Afterwards, she suggested a twice-a-day treatment based on a French skin care line with a creamy cleanser, toner and crème, as well as a weekly scrub and a facial to promote skin rejuvenation.

When we returned four weeks later, Sophie rejoiced when she examined the state of our skin. “You’ve been following  the program!” she exclaimed. We were as proud as schoolgirls, especially since Sophie she was right. For 30 days, we had been cleansing, toning and moisturizing, morning and night. Our pores were tighter, skin tone was more even and there was a certain glow that the skin did not have one month ago.

Sophie reminded us that French women pay attention to skin in the way that most North Americans pay attention to their work-outs at the gym. Investing time and effort in your skin will benefit you for the rest of your life.