Yup, These French Pharmacy Products Are Actually Deserving of the Hype

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Paris is always a good idea, especially if you want to buy some of the best skincare in the world. French pharmacy products— including face serums, moisturizers, healing ointments, and barrier repair creams—are coveted by makeup artists, models, influencers, dermatologists, and beauty editors like moi. I took myself to Paris this year for my birthday and had a to-do list that included: a visit to the Eiffel Tower, copious amount of fresh-baked baguettes and café crème, and, of course, hitting up as many French pharmacies as possible. These jewel box-like shops are on virtually every other Parisian block. Each pharmacy is unique, and trust me when I say the skincare products inside are just as special.

Now if a trip to Paris isn't in your upcoming plans, don't worry. You can actually buy some of the more popular French pharmacy skincare products sans plane ticket to Paris via retailers like Amazon, Dermstore, and even Ulta. Here's a sneak peek:

Keep reading for the full list of the best French pharmacy skincare products available in the U.S., according to my personal testing experiences and recommendations from two board-certified dermatologists, Shari Marchbein, MD, and Dendy Engelman, MD.

Sensibio H2O Micellar Water

The French invented micellar water cleansers, and this option from Bioderma is the gold standard. “It’s a fragrance-free, gentle, non-stripping or stinging cleanser that takes off sunscreen, makeup, and any build up on the skin,” says Dr. Marchbein. For me, this is always step one of a double cleanse routine (I follow it with a gentle foaming cleanser), but I’m more-is-more like that.

Eau Thermale Peaux Sensibles

Even French H20 is better. This thermal spring water comes from the town of La Roche-Posay, where the skincare brand’s renowned Centre Thermal medical treatment spa is located. “This water is packed with minerals including selenium, a natural antioxidant with anti-inflammatory benefits to soothe sensitive skin,” says Dr. Marchbein.

Lait-Crème Concentré

Practically every makeup artist has a tube of Embryolisse's Lait-Crème Concentré their kit. The rich moisturizer is often used as a primer to give skin a radiant glow. Plus, derms swear by its barrier-repairing powers thanks to emollients like shea butter, beeswax, and highly-refined mineral oil. A tip from the pros—don’t slather this stuff on, a pea-size amount is enough to moisturize your entire face and prep it for makeup.

Homéoplasmine

This is France’s supercharged version of Vaseline. In fact, this multipurpose balm actually contains Vaseline (!) along with herbal healing ingredients like calendula. Homéoplasmine is another makeup artist fave (often used an moisturizing base for lipstick) and is doctor-approved too. "It's excellent for treating burns, scrapes, blisters, or other skin irritations,” says Dr. Engelman. I personally use it on my lips, cuticles, and any dry, rough patches of skin.

Anthelios Light Fluid Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60

If you buy one type of skincare product at a French pharmacy IRL, make it sunscreen. “Because of the FDA’s slow approval process, we are way behind Europe on sunscreen innovations and advanced technology, and the formulas there are completely different,” says Dr. Marchbein. When in Paris, I’d stock up on Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluide SPF 50+, La Roche-Posay's most updated SPF that’s not available stateside. At home, this U.S. version is my go-to.

Emulsion Cream

Available only by prescription in the U.S., this super thick ointment contains the ingredient trolamine, which has been shown to speed wound healing. “Biafine is magical and I always bring a few tubes back from Europe,” says Dr. Marchbein, who uses it on burns and skin irritations. Dr. Engelman discovered it in France 15 years ago and says “I prescribe it to all of my patients for post-surgery and laser healing.” Without an Rx, you can get this version that's available over-the-counter via Amazon.

Premier Cru The Eye Cream

I’m obsessed with Caudalie’s eye creams, and this one is the French champagne of the bunch. The brand is famous for using natural grape seed polyphenols in their formulas, sourced from the family-run vineyards in Bordeaux. (‘Premier Cru’ refers to a superior grade of wine.) “I love the whole Premier Cru line, especially this antioxidant-rich eye cream,” says Dr. Engelman. And JSYK, Caudalie products are like half the price in Paris so it's another great brand to stock up on IRL if you can.

Retinol Pommade Vitamin A Night Moisturizer

Again, this product has an ointment-like texture, so a tiny dab will do it for your entire face and neck. The active ingredient is retinyl palmitate—a derivative of vitamin A that helps stimulate collagen production and speed skin cell turnover. “This is a strong over-the-counter retinoid that’s very effective at smoothing fine lines and wrinkles and improving uneven skin tone, but it can be too much for sensitive skin types,” says Engelman.

Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream

No list of French pharmacy skincare is complete without Avène. The French brand is famous for their mineral-rich, therapeutic thermal spring water, which is infused into this rich cream. The probiotic ingredients in the formula help reinforce the microbiome of the skin and support a healthy skin barrier. Testers—myself included—say it coddles skin and makes it feel baby soft.

Hyaluronic Acid Cream

French women love this water-based cream for its plumping effect. The key ingredient: 0.02 percent (a prescription-strength amount) of hydrating sodium hyaluronate, a salt derived from hyaluronic acid. The texture is thicker than you might think, so I recommend using it as a night cream.

Intral Inner Youth Rescue Serum at Nordstrom

This pink potion is a miracle cure for my super sensitive skin. Darphin, founded in 1958 by master botanist Pierre Darphin, is a staple skincare brand in all French pharmacies. This incredible face serum is steeped in skin-soothing botanical extracts like peony root, watermelon, and chamomile, along with multiple hydrating ingredients. It also smells so heavenly I can hardly deal.

What is special about French pharmacies?

French pharmacies are nothing like the big chain drugstores or mass beauty retailers we have in the US. “French pharmacies are individually owned, and the proprietor can select exactly which skincare brands he or she wishes to carry," says Dr. Engelman. "Because of this, each pharmacy is unique in their offerings and the shopping experience feels bespoke and special."

Are French skincare products good?

French pharmacy skincare products have long been lauded as the ‘ne plus ultra,’ or absolute best, for good reason, says Dr. Engelman. “French skincare brands have rich origin stories and a deep heritage. Many have been in the business of beauty long before the U.S. was even declared a sovereign nation.” French skincare is tried-and-true, adds Dr. Marchbein. "They’re not trendy or social media-driven.”

French skincare is famous for quality ingredients, gentle formulations, and ultra-emollient textures that are designed to promote a healthy skin barrier. This is why many of the cult-favorites (like Biafine, Cicalfate+, and Homeoplasmine) are thick balms and ointments. “These excellent moisturizers tend to be creamier, heavier, and more occlusive, as opposed to lightweight skincare formulas in the U.S.,” says Dr. Marchbein.

Meet the experts:

• Shari Marchbein, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Niche Dermatology in New York, NY, who specializes in cosmetic and medical dermatology. Dr. Marchbein is also a clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone in New York City.

• Dendy Engelman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic in New York, NY. Dr. Engelman specializes in cosmetic dermatologist and is an expert in all areas of skincare and skin health.

Why trust 'Cosmopolitan'?

Gina Way is an editor, copywriter, and professional skincare junkie. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Oprah Daily, Allure, Marie Claire, and more. Follow Gina on Instagram.

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