French Pharmacy Favorites

The glowing green pharmacy lights of Paris are a beacon to my product-loving heart. The shelves of French pharmacies are stocked with some of the best skincare in the world and a virtual candy shop for an American, beauty-loving tourist. The discovery of these items from past trips has carried over to my regular skincare routine, and thanks to Amazon, I can continue to replenish my stash on repeat. This list of items is hardly groundbreaking if you’re a beauty junkie, but I will sing their praises nevertheless.

LaRoche Posay Anthelios SPF 50

You need to wear sunscreen every day. This lotion goes on for me after a serum but before my moisturizer/foundation. If your foundation has SPF in it, that’s nice, but it’s not really enough. Because of the amount of SPF you need to slather on to make it effective, it’s not really possible to get enough of a screen through your foundation alone. Also, your SPF should be higher than 15, so I like this because it’s 50. This formula protects from UVA and UVB rays, is not greasy, and is unscented. Also, there is absolutely no sign of a whitish cast on your skin when rubbed in. I apply all over my face and neck, wait about five minutes and continue my routine.

Bioderma Micellar Water

Micellar water is the gentlest and most refreshing way to remove makeup and wake up your skin. I have pretty sensitive skin and have never had any irritation from using micellar water. It can virtually melt anything you apply to your face, including waterproof mascara. I also use Bioderma makeup wipes for travel and when I am too tired to properly remove my makeup. I’ll use Bioderma on a cotton pad in the morning as an alternative to washing my face since too much water can be drying. Plus, the pump-top is really fun to use!

Embroylisse Lait-Crème Concentré

I am 100% forever loyal to this moisturizer and swear by its magic. It is somehow all at once emollient and thickly moisturizing, yet sheer/non-greasy and light to the touch. It has a subtle, fresh scent but not at all overpowering. I use this as my daily and nightly moisturizer. And compared to high-end moisturizers, it is not at all expensive. It acts as a wonderful primer for makeup and gives your skin just enough slip for foundation to apply nicely. Embroylisse also works well as eye makeup remover in a pinch, as well as an overnight facial mask when applied thickly. Love, love, love.

Avène Eau Thermale

I love a facial mist, and before you ask why a can of water that you spray on your face is so great, hear me out. It makes your skin feel refreshed, it helps to set and meld your makeup to look a little less “done” after you’ve applied, it’s good for a makeup refresh if you mist your face and dab with a Beauty Blender, it’s so lovely to use on a plane when you start to feel icky, and it’s French. It’s absurd, but I love it.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

This product is nothing less than a spa in a bottle. It smells DIVINE and makes your skin feel wonderful. I use this as a toner after washing my face and just lightly dab it into my skin. It has a super-fine mister so almost as soon as you spray it on, it starts to soak in and doesn’t leave your face feeling soaked. Très fancy.

Klorane Dry Shampoo

This dry shampoo is probably the most-loved in the world, and I can’t recommend it enough. My favorite tip for dry shampoo is to spritz it on your roots and massage in before bed, that way, it can sop up oils while you sleep and you wake up with perfect hair. It comes in a formula for dark hair as well.

Roger et Gallet Bois d’Orange Soap

Almost every French pharmacy has a huge selection of Roger et Gallet soap. They come in the most beautiful packaging as a set of three soaps in a box, each wrapped in pretty, colored paper, which makes for such a lovely souvenir. I have stocked up on these soaps, and also purchased one that came in a hard shell case with drain holes on the bottom, so every time I need a new soap for the shower, I’ll pop a new one into the case. I love this scent in particular because it reminds me of a beautiful Hermès cologne.

French Pharmacy Favorites | @beesandbubbles

What are your French beauty favorites?

  1. Britta says:

    Klorane is THE best dry shampoo I have found!

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