peau grasse
The English phrase "oily skin" is peau grasse in French.
You can use peau grasse to refer to oily skin. If you are looking for skincare products specifically designed for this skin type, you can look for produits pour peau grasse.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of peau (skin) and grasse (fatty/oily).
Which one should you use?
While peau grasse refers to skin that is oily all over, peau mixte is used to describe combination skin (oily in some areas, dry in others).
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term peau grasse is used in France and Belgium as the standard expression for oily skin.
Did you know?
- The term grasse also appears in grasse matinée, a phrase meaning to sleep in late, literally translating to a 'fat morning'.
- While English speakers use 'oily' or 'greasy', French speakers almost never use the word huileuse to describe skin, as that sounds more like a machine part covered in industrial oil.
- The word peau is a cognate of the English word 'pelt'. Both descend from the Latin word pellem, which refers to a hide or skin.
Examples in context
- J'ai une peau à tendance grasse, ce qui signifie que je dois prendre soin d'elle avec des produits adaptés.I have skin that tends to be oily, which means I need to take care of it with suitable products.
- J'ai toujours la peau qui brille en été, c'est assez embêtant.I always have shiny skin in the summer, it's quite annoying.
- J'utilise une poudre matifiante pour contrôler la brillance de ma peau tout au long de la journée.I use a mattifying powder to control the shine on my skin throughout the day.
- Quels sont les meilleurs produits pour peau grasse disponibles dans cette boutique ?What are the best skincare products for oily skin available in this store?
- J'ai la peau grasse.I have oily skin.
- Ce nettoyant est pour la peau grasse.This cleanser is for oily skin.
- Elle cherche un soin pour peau grasse.She is looking for a treatment for oily skin.
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are discussing skincare products in a pharmacy.
- EmmaEst-ce que tu as la peau grasse, Hugo ?Do you have oily skin, Hugo?
- HugoOui, j'ai la peau grasse en été.Yes, I have oily skin in the summer.
- EmmaTu devrais essayer cette crème.You should try this cream.
- HugoMerci pour le conseil, Emma.Thanks for the advice, Emma.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries peau, CC BY-SA 4.0.
