Inside a typical French pharmacy is a plethora of skincare products that emphasize quality over quantity, ensuring moisture retention and protective components while highlighting natural ingredients.
One of my favorite things to do in Paris is spending hours in a pharmacie, there seems to be endless supplies of French skincare products to discover, including myriads of brands that I’ve sworn by for years, and aisles of new sciences to unveil.
If you find yourself in a French pharmacy but feeling a little lost, here are some of my staples and new favorites that might inspire you to embark on a hours-long adventure.
Bring your passport for tax refund! For more info on how it all works, read: Tax-Free Shopping In Paris.
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In my opinion, a disciplined skincare routine almost always starts with a morning mask. If I’m not using a sheet mask from Asia, then I love a cream mask that I can wash off after a few minutes. I came across Filorga’s MESO-MASK two years ago, and always have it in my cubby since it comes in handy on a busy morning.
In 15 minutes, this anti-aging mask hydrates and illuminates the skin, while smoothing wrinkles. It uses urea – a nitrogenous end product of of proteins – to enrich collagen and strengthen elasticity. You can use it twice a week, don’t forget to also apply onto the neck and chest area.
A nightly routine should also commence with proper cleansing. One of my longtime favorite is Avène Fluide Démaquillant 3en1 – a three-in-one milky make-up remover that also cleanses sensitive skin.
Known to utilize thermal Spring of Avène, this particular item alleviates the entire face, including eyes and lips. The gentle texture is incredibly soft, combined with a delightful aroma without alcohol in its formula.
La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar face wash is ideal for oily skin as it embodies zinc pidolate (a purifying property) to rid oil and dirt, without compromising pH balance of the skin.
Years ago, when I went to the dermatologist, she recommended this particular face wash. Since then, I’ve been using it for both day and night. This is recommended for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. It fully cleanses without over-drying by integrating minerals, trace elements, and selenium which is a natural antioxidant.
After cleansing, the first skincare product I typically apply is a vitamin C serum. Lately, I’ve been loving SkinCeutical’s Phloretin CF with Ferulic Acid since it also decreases fine lines as well as dark spots.
I’ve only started using vitamin C serum in recent years, after pharmacists explained damages caused by UV radiation and pollution that can be compensated by the serum. By dabbing it once a day in the morning, I feel like this has prevented my skin from environmental stress stemmed from living in the city and constant travels.
SkinCeutical is going to appear a few times on this list, since I’ve been seeing effective results in the last six months, proving that the brand truly focuses on correcting rather than cosmetics. Phyto is the second serum I apply, twice daily. It’s made to calm sensitive skin, particularly with red marks and blemishes.
The ingredients are probably my favorite parts, as they include everythimg you’d want in a refreshing salad: cucumber, olive, thyme, mulberry, and eucalyptus.
This is one of the best serums I’ve used in years. At first, I was hesitant, but after six months of application, I’m now hooked. The multi-dimensional formula encompasses hyaluronic acid that hydrates and plumps the skin.
One dime-sized liquid is enough to cover the entire face while correcting fine lines, amplifying facial contours. Thanks to glycosaminoglycans, or glycans, one application can hydrate up to 24 hours. But I still use this twice a day: morning and night.
This is a new skincare product and it’s a total splurge. I’ve always had a difficult time landing on an eye cream that actually works, and my latest attempt is Sisley’s eye and lip contour balm which I’ve been happy with thus far, yet remain unsure whether I’ll purchase another after the current bottle is finished.
The texture is a naturally cold gel, dab around the eyes and lips. I also use this twice a day, and have been enjoying its lightweight finish. Without rubbing it into the skin too much, I tend to apply a light layer then letting it dry permitting it to marinate into the pores. The gel helps with puffiness, fine lines and dryness.
After serums and eye cream, my general next step is moisturizer or face cream. Patyka is one of those brands in a French pharmacy that never fails. It’s difficult to find them around the world or an airport duty free, so I tend to stock up when I’m in Paris.
This firming cream is my mother’s favorite, since it contains active Angelica Cells that equate to collagen boosters. This Retinol-like vegetal is a firming cream and uniquely nourishes dry skin.
Darphin is another go-to brand in the French pharmacy that comes with an accessible price tag upon naturally-derived ingredients. Its INTRAL Environmental Lightweight Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is probably one of the best sunscreens I’ve ever used, it feels like air while creating a luminous glow.
Shake well, then apply 15 minutes prior to sun exposure. I use it every morning as the last step of my skincare routine.
The one product I never leave a French pharmacy without is definitely the Caudalie beauty water spray. This 100% natural mist is made with green grape, rose essential oil, rosemary essential oil…and more. I use it as a finishing or setting spray, after makeup. At night, the scent is so relaxing that it transports my mind right into a dreamy spa.
What I love even more is that, each bottle is designed by using recycled plastic and glass.
Wendy Hung
CEO, FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
As the founder of Jetset Times, Wendy is an avid traveler and fluent in five languages. When she's not traveling, Wendy calls Paris and Taipei home. Her favorite countries so far from her travels have been: Bhutan, Iran, and St. Bart's because they were all so different!
