Sorry I’m still crying because I’m not in Paris yet. I spent four days this past week wandering around the city I love, eating cheese and butter, drinking French wine, and enjoying everything the City of Light has to offer. That means I spent an hour wandering the streets at City Pharma, the largest and most iconic. French pharmacy in Paris. With more products than my mind could even fathom, I felt the stress from my shoulders fill the plane as I picked my favorite beauty products from the shelves. In context, my skin is currently struggling with eczema it’s burning, so it’s crazy drysensitive, and effective, which is why the principles of French skincare—gentle, hydrating, and beautifully simple formulas—suit my stressed epidermis perfectly.
Of course, not everything you can find in a French pharmacy is available stateside (although many cities have specialty shops that import goodies from overseas), but there is always a stellar dupe available when I run out and my skin is crying out for moisture. So, even if you are preparing your beauty shopping list next visit to France or hoping to find a few French basics for your daily habits, this is everything I like to buy when I browse a Paris pharmacy.
Mais Oui, Moisture
The French don’t mess around when it comes to skin hydration, that’s why they see moisturizers they are iconic (and unique). There’s no shortage of options in this category, and I’m always eager to pick up one of the below—usually multiple bottles—to replenish my beauty closet.
Embryolisse
Lait-Crème Concentré Multi-Function Moisturizer
A premium French moisturizer for girls, this formula is loved by newbies and makeup artists alike for its hydrating and smoothing power. skin care base for cosmetics.
Eucerin
Replenishing Skin Lightening Facial Cream (with 5% Urea)
When I tell you that I hoard this face cream like gold, I am not exaggerating. It’s the perfect, fuss-free, ultra-hydrating moisturizer, and you can in the end bought it in the States.
Repairing Balms, Bises
If your skin needs a little extra love (I know mine does right now during these cold temperatures), a thick balm is a staple you should never miss in a French pharmacy.
Don’t come
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Every beauty editor, and your dermatologist, will tell you that this is the ultimate repair cream if your skin is dry and stressed. I never go anywhere without it, and my complexion thanks me.
La Roche-Posay
Cicaplast Balm B5
This barrier repair The moisturizer has gone viral on TikTok multiple times, and it’s the same in France—there’s usually a tube or two on the shelves. Extra cica soothes irritation and dimethicone helps seal in moisture for delicate skin throughout the day.
Hello, Serums
The French skincare ethos is all about perfecting your canvas so you don’t need heavy foundation. That’s why these serums a must have in my Paris shopping cart.
Caudalie
Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum
I’m always impressed with how well this French serum works, especially as a gentle vitamin C alternative. Post-acne symptoms they fade at lightning speed and sun spots disappear after a few weeks of use.
Vichy
Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum for Dry Skin
Affordable hyaluronic acid serum that hydrates and repairs your skin’s barrier? Leave it to the French to do both with this cult favorite formula, which remains a staple in my routine.
Target topics
Pimples and fine lines are inevitable, however, the French have found the most effective solutions for both. This duo is definitely Paris’ secret for a flawless complexion.
Apply a little of this serum to the pimple with water (or i dark hair) and will reduce swelling and redness overnight.
Retinol (derived from vitamin A), is essential for fresh, glowing skin, and the French have created one of the most effective ones on the market. Ulta now has a partnership with French Pharmacy to import the real stuff so you don’t even need a plane ticket to grab it.
Ooh La La, Occlusives
These are some of the very first drugstore products I picked up in Paris, and I remain a loyal fan to this day. In addition, the oil and balm are both natural ingredients, which means they will seal in all-day moisture for the skin.
Nuxe
Huile Prodigieuse Shimmering Dry Oil
This is certainly well known body fat for all the French beauty, and I can understand why – the dry oil formula sinks well into the skin and has a nice botanical scent. I’m partial to the glossy option for a sun-kissed effect, even in winter.
Aquaphor
Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy Skin Protectant
Although my favorite ointment, Homeoplasmine, has not yet arrived in America, this tried and true formula is also popular with the French and is a staple in pharmacies across the country. I have a big bottle in my closet sleep at night all winter.
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