This Beloved French Pharmacy Haircare Brand Is Fin…

The French pharmacy is like a beauty lover’s Disneyland. Seeing the if-you-know-you-know products up close for the first time is like entering a magical skincare universe—one with hard-to-find luxurious creams and brands like Caudalie at near drugstore price points. This is all to say that when we heard that the iconic French drugstore brand Vichy was bringing its system of haircare essentials in the United States, we were excited.

On November 1, Vichy launches its bestselling Dercos haircare to the US, so now you can try out French Girl hair favorites alongside your serums and face creams. The brand embodies that effortless, je ne se quoi we all know and love, paired with Vichy’s cutting-edge science. Ahead, everything you need to know about the launch, plus our honest review.

The Inspiration

If you’re not already familiar with Vichy, the skincare brand is beloved by editors and skincare lovers alike for having no-fuss efficacious formulas. In short, the creams, serums, and everything in-between really work. The same formula-first attitude is extended to Dercos, its haircare brand that zeros in on common scalp issues like dandruff and dryness (in fact, its the #1 derm-recommended dandruff brand in the EU). However, these aren’t your grandma’s scalp products—the bottles are aesthetically pleasing and don’t scream “I’m a dandruff shampoo.”

That said, the 3-step system embodies a less-is-more approach to haircare (very French!). The new launch includes the Selenium Sulfide Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, Hair + Scalp Moisturizing Conditioner, and the Salicylic Acid Anti-Dandruff Serum. Best of all, the products boast drugstore prices for salon-worthy formulas (a commonality with French pharmacy skin and haircare.) The shampoo and conditioner are $20 each, and the serum is $49.

The 3-Step System

If you can only pick one product in the 3-step system, the brand would recommend the Selenium Sulfide Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. It’s powered with micronized selenium sulfide which helps to decrease malassezia (the fungus that causes dandruff). The brand claims the shampoo reduces up to 100% of visible flakes, and the shampoo also helps to balance the scalp’s moisture barrier.

To pair with the shampoo is the Hair + Scalp Moisturizing Conditioner, which is just what it sounds like. It’s a hydrating formula that strengthens hair and adds shine. In a study from the brand, 67% of users noticed smoother strands and 66% saw extra shine. The conditioner is also safe for color-treated hair and sensitive scalps.

Next up is the Salicylic Acid Anti-Dandruff Serum. Although it’s more common than not to skip a hair wash day here and there, preventing a flakey scalp requires daily care. That’s why the serum is recommended to be used daily, even in-between washes and on dry hair. It targets dandruff symptoms like flakes, scales, itching, redness, and irritation, leaving the scalp nourished and soothed.

The Review

“I should preface this by saying I don’t really deal with dandruff, however, my scalp has been itchy and sensitive as the weather gets a little chillier. I generally hate using any sort of clarifying or dandruff products as they make my bleached hair feel so dry, but it wasn’t the case with the Dercos line! The shampoo has that classic fruity, clean shampoo smell, with no weird medicated notes. It has a nice lather, and makes my hair feel clean but not stripped. The conditioner has the same fresh scent, and a creamy texture that didn’t weigh my hair down, and the duo made my hair feel silky and voluminous. Paired with the serum—which you apply to dry hair and it sinks right in—I’ve definitely noticed that my scalp feels calmer. I’ll be using the system every few washes to keep itching at bay as we head into winter.” —Bella Caccaitore, news editor