One thing about me when traveling overseas: You better believe I will be pillaging the local pharmacies. In fact, you can add “raiding pharmacies” as my favorite sport. No lie! When in Paris, you can bet your bottom Euro I’ll be making a field trip to the meccas of Parisian pharmacies: Pharmacie Du Forum des Halles and City Pharmacy (in Rivé Gauche) scooping up the following French cult favorites…
Biafine: This emulsion cream is a French family household staple in most kitchens. It contains wound-healing ingredients so it’s great for burns, cuts, abrasions, scrapes, sunburns, rashes, post-surgery lasers & microneedling. It has a powdery fresh laundry scent which I love! Available here
A313: Formerly known as Avabon, this over-the-counter retinol is used by all the French girlies. In fact, it’s the strongest over-the-counter retinol. Available here
Mimétique: This French clean beauty brand replicates the skin’s natural mechanisms. I scoop up the Skin Cloud cleansing balm as it’s a super nourishing makeup removing balm that transforms into an oil and then milk on contact with water. The added bonus? It smells like delicious marzipan. Yum!
NUXE: This body and hair oil hydrates the skin and offers shine to the hair like no other. Available here
Caudalíe beauty elixir: This hydrating face mist creates instant dewy looking skin, tightens the look of pores, and doubles down as a setting spray for makeup. A triple threat! Available here
Klorane dry shampoo: The oat milk iteration is the absolute best. Available here
Embryolisse: This is a French cult favorite face moisturizer. A lot of makeup artists use this as a primer or you can use it as a hydrating mask. The thicker iteration can be used to as a makeup-removing balm, too. Available here
Homeoplasine: This soothing Calendula loaded Vaseline-like product is soothing and extremely thick. It’s great for slugging your mug to minimize trans-epidermal water loss. Available here
Bioderma: Creatine micellar water. Aside from removing makeup, you can also use it to clean your makeup brushes. Available here
Collosol eau de Lait: A liquid milk. This milky water is a velvety cleaner and removes makeup like no other. It reminds me of Laneige cream skin.
