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I just returned from a trip to Paris. It was my first time visiting the French capital. While I was more than excited to drink wine, eat my weight in croissants, and shop along the Champse-Élysées, I was beyond thrilled to be able to walk into my first French pharmacy. As anyone familiar with French pharmacies will tell you, they’re the place to go for highly effective beauty products—usually at a much lower price than you would pay for the same products in the States. Well, if you can get them.
Since France is part of the European Union (EU), it has different cosmetics regulations than the U.S. That means you can buy products that either A) aren’t available in the U.S. or B) have different formulations than those that are available in the U.S. For example, the U.S. hasn’t approved certain UV filters yet, which is why many people (myself included) prefer European and Asian sunscreen formulas over American ones.
But let’s get back to my main point, which is that French pharmacies are the best. I ended up walking into one in the 8th arrondissement. I spent over an hour browsing products, and I left with a small hoard—17 items to be exact. It was no small feat to fit them in my luggage, but I was determined, so I did it. Keep scrolling to see all the products and their U.S. versions and substitutes.
17 Products I Bought From the French Pharmacy
Nuxe
Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
I challenge you to find a product more iconic than this multipurpose face, body, and hair oil from Nuxe. Formulated with seven botanical oils, it moisturizes the skin and hair without leaving a greasy, oil-slick residue behind. That’s because it’s a dry oil, which means it dries down quickly. It also smells divine—so divine that I skip perfume whenever I use it.
Nuxe
Huile Prodigieuse Shimmer Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
I also picked up this version to use this summer. I can’t wait to apply this after a beach day for soft, smooth, and shimmering limbs. I know this will make my skin look amazing in sunlight.
Embryolisse
Lait-Crème Concentré, Face Cream & Makeup Primer
Another French icon, this soothing moisturizer does double (or triple) duty. It can also be used as a makeup primer and moisturizing mask. Thanks to a creamy formula that contains aloe and shea butter, it sinks into my sensitive skin without causing irritation.
Bioderma
Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
I couldn’t go to France and leave without every makeup artist’s favorite micellar water. I love using this to remove makeup or clean up my winged eyeliner and lipstick.
Nuxe
Rêve de Miel Lip Balm
Another iconic Nuxe product. I came prepared to buy one (or two or three…). The thick, honey-infused balm glides onto the lips, smoothes uneven texture, and seals in moisture. I’ve been using this for years, and I love it just as much as I did the first time I tried it.
When I noticed a rose version, I had to grab it. I was worried the rose scent would be too strong or fake-smelling, but it’s actually soft, elegant, and lovely. It’s just as moisturizing as the original Rêve de Miel.
NUXE
Sweet Lemon Lip Balm
Nope, I’m not done yet. When I saw there was a third iteration of the iconic lip balm, I dropped one in my shopping basket without a second thought. The creamy lemon scent is sweet and refreshing. I plan on keeping this close by all summer long.
Pharma Development
A313 Retinol Pommade Anti Aging Night Cream, the Pore Cleansing Skin Cream A313
I’ve heard so many good things about this retinol cream. It contains 2% retinol, so it can boost collagen production, smooth skin, reduce uneven texture, and target dark spots and discoloration. The reason it’s so popular is because it’s the perfect no-fuss formula. It’s simple and effective, and I can’t wait to try it.
I’ve had this product on my French-pharmacy wish list for a while now. Similar to Aquaphor, it’s made from a base of petroleum jelly, but it also contains other ingredients that alleviate skin irritation. Popular uses include applying it to a red, chapped nose in the winter, to heal and protect scratches or sunburn, and even as a nipple cream. Yes, really. I’ll be using it as lip balm and an SOS product for the next time I experience any cold or sun-related skin irritation.
Caudalie
Vinosun Protect Very High Protection Lightweight Cream SPF50+
With a texture that I can only describe as “milky,” the version of this sunscreen that I picked up in the pharmacy was incredibly lightweight and white cast–free. It blends into the skin well, and it didn’t irritate my redness-prone skin. Success. Luckily, you can shop it in the U.S.
Biore
UV Aqua Rich SPF 50 PA++++
I couldn’t stop at one sunscreen, so I dropped this one into my shopping basket as well. I’ll just cut to the chase and say that I’m obsessed. It’s so lightweight and sinks into my skin without leaving a single trace behind. Plus, it dries down to a matte—but not powdery—finish. It might be my new favorite sunscreen. There, I said it.
Talika
Lipocils Expert Ultimate Eyelash Growth Serum
I’ve already waxed poetic about this eyelash serum, but that won’t stop me from doing it again. It’s been around for a long time. It was originally introduced in 1948. Since then, researchers have optimized the formula by encapsulating its plant extracts, which include witch hazel, apple, nettle, horse chestnut, and Saint-John’s-wort, in liposomes to increase their penetration.
The brand lists a few other ingredients along with the plant extracts. There are peptides to reinforce the root of the lashes and slow loss. There are silk proteins to “sheath” the lashes and encourage them to curl. And there is Coleus forskohlii, a tropical plant extract that the brand says can boost the natural pigmentation of the lashes by spurring melanin production.
All I know is that it gives me full, fluttery lashes. After a few weeks of use, I stop wearing mascara altogether. It’s that good. Just know you should only use the lash serum for about 28 days. Then, you should wait three months before using it again. This is because it puts your lashes into an intense growth cycle, and for best results, you don’t want to overdo it.
Talika
Eyebrow Liposourcils Expert Growth Serum
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the brand’s eyebrow serum. Just like the lash formula, this one encourages thicker, stronger, and darker hair growth. Again, I use this for a couple of weeks, and suddenly, I’m not reaching for my tried-and-true brow makeup products. I’m not kidding when I say that last time I used this, my eyebrow pencils collected literal dust.
Avène
Moisturizing Melt-In Balm
Don’t ask me how, but I forgot to bring body lotion with me to Paris. After a few exceptionally warm days walking around the 7th and 8th arrondissements, my skin was dry and in need of some help. So I made sure to pick this up while I was shopping at the pharmacy. It has a rich, creamy texture that melts into the skin and moisturizes it for up to 24 hours. I love that it contains the brand’s iconic thermal spring water to hydrate and soothe skin.
Marvis
Aquatic Mint Toothpaste
This might sound like a random and spontaneous purchase, and, well, it kind of was. When I saw a bin of colorful, travel-size Marvis toothpastes, I had to indulge. I ended up choosing this Aquatic Mint flavor, which is so fresh and cooling. I’m kind of obsessed with it, and it’s definitely replaced my old tube of Crest toothpaste.
Marvis
Ginger Mint Toothpaste
The second travel-size toothpaste I purchased was this Ginger Mint flavor. I was intrigued by the combination. After using it, I can confirm that it’s well worth the money. The ginger is subtle and adds the slightest zing to the mint. I love using this in the morning.
(Image credit: Biafine)
I can’t write about iconic French pharmacy products and not bring up Biafine. This multipurpose skin salve is used to moisturize the skin and promote healing, which is why it’s often used after chemical peels and laser treatments. Some people swear by it for sunburn.
In the U.S., it’s only FDA-cleared for things like wounds, ulcers, and dermatitis, so you need a prescription from a medical professional. In France, it’s readily available at the pharmacy. (I bought two tubes.) So while you can’t purchase the original Biafine formula stateside, you can shop these nine dupes.
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