A visit to the Louvre, a prepare to the French countryside, or a stroll down the Seine aren’t the one causes to go to France. The French pharmacy is an equally attractive cause to journey throughout the pond. 

French cosmetics particularly, have captured my consideration for being insanely mild, but nourishing. It is fairly well-known that European cosmetics requirements are extra thorough than that of the U.S. (The European Union has banned or restricted greater than 1,600 substances in cosmetics, whereas the United States restricts solely 11.) This mainly implies that the merchandise formulated for the European market should adhere to stricter requirements, and oftentimes, are formulated with better-for-skin substances.

La Roche-Posay and Avène, two of the main labels stocking the French pharmacy, are powered by the mineral-rich waters from the nation’s thermal springs that was found centuries in the past to deal with medical circumstances like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Vichy, too, is backed by the restorative advantages of French volcanic water. Formulation by different cult-favorite manufacturers, like Embryolisse, Nuxe, and Klorane are additionally constructed round substances of principally pure origin.

All to say, at any time when I’ve an opportunity to go to a French pharmacy, I take it and make room in my suitcase nevertheless attainable. Some salves, like Biafine (an unimaginable burn cream), Homéoplasmine (a soothing ointment for sunburns, cracked pores and skin, and dry lips), or A313 (the over-the-counter vitamin A cream that is a mild, but efficient counterpart to the finest retinoid lotions), I refill on as a result of I can not often discover a respected vendor in America. Fortunately, some others, may be simply replenished with out having to guide worldwide journey. Under, a deep dive into 9 of my most cherished French pharmacy skincare options which might be obtainable stateside. 

La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water Spray

• Why I Love It: Looking back, I am undecided what I did earlier than I began incorporating thermal spring water. Its makes use of are a lot. I attain for it to rapidly refresh my pores and skin earlier than make-up or on a scorching summer time day. I give my pores and skin a beneficiant mist upon waking instead of a morning face wash. I even relied on it to assuage my dry irritated pores and skin following a Moxi laser therapy. Plus, the paranormal waters continues to be used within the city of La Roche-Posay at its Thermal Heart—a facility and spa that treats over 7,000 sufferers yearly who wish to deal with burns, eczema, psoriasis, and pores and skin results from most cancers therapies.
• Key Substances: La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Shimmer Multi-Objective Dry Oil

• Why I Love It: I’m extra excited a couple of shimmering physique oil this yr greater than ever earlier than, so I count on to get a number of use out of Nuxe’s glimmering components. The acclaimed multi-purpose dry oil (which can also be obtainable in a shimmer-free variant) blends seven botanical oils and gold pearlescent particles to not solely nourish the pores and skin however reveal an enviable sun-kissed glow. And since it’s a dry oil, there’s no concern of slippery, transferable residue.
• Key Substances: Tsubaki oil, argan oil, macadamia oil, borage oil, camellia oil, hazelnut oil, candy almond oil

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

• Why I Love It: There’s really a face moisturizer for anybody on the la pharmacie française, and this one by Embryolisse is a real crowdpleaser. Beloved by pores and skin consultants and professional make-up artists alike, Lait-Crème Concentré’s versatility is what makes it a journey important for me. I like that it doubles as a face cream and primer, leaving pores and skin hydrated, comfortable, and clean. These serious about a real multitasker will love that it may also be used as a cleaning milk, face masks, after-shave, and post-sun lotion. To not point out, there’s even a components made particularly for delicate pores and skin varieties.
• Key Substances: Shea butter, beeswax, soy proteins, aloe vera

Avène Tolerance Extraordinarily Mild Cleanser

• Why I Love It: There are seemingly few French pharmacy fans who don’t personal a bottle of Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protecting Cream—an acclaimed pores and skin barrier cream formulated with post-biotic extract to steadiness pores and skin. Whereas that’s definitely price noting, I wished to spotlight this mild cleanser. Described as a “no-rinse cleaning gel” that is designed to raise away dust, oil, and impurities; however in contrast to your typical cleanser, this doesn’t have to be emulsified with water. Simply wipe off with a cotton spherical and transfer on together with your routine. I personally attain for this within the morning, whereas in a rush, or whereas touring.
• Key Substances: Avène Thermal Spring Water, D-sensinose (posbiotic extract), arginine

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water

• Why I Love It: Sure, I’m all the time out there for a brand new bottle of micellar water. Not your common water, this makes use of micelles to take away make-up and expertly cleanse the pores and skin. Plus, with a pH of 5.5, that is formulated to take care of pores and skin’s delicate and valuable steadiness. 
• Key Substances: Micellar know-how, xylitol, cucumber fruit extract

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5

• Why I Love It: As somebody who should all the time be ready for something, I’ve discovered {that a} I would like a flexible cream with me always. Presently, I’ve a tube of La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast Balm B5 in my nightstand drawer, in my toilet, saved within the Vogue magnificence closet, and even one on my desk as I sort this. When you’ve tried these items, you wouldn’t surprise why I am seemingly hoarding tubes of these items. It’s thick, creamy, and emollient with out being greasy; qualities that permit me to deal with chapped, dry, tough patches with out annoying residue. Anytime I get a facial therapy, use a robust retinol, or my pores and skin is questionably delicate, I depend on this balm to calm, nourish, and shield. 
• Key Substances: La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, vitamin B5, shea butter, glycerin, dimethicone (helps stop moisture loss from the pores and skin), madecassoside

Klorane Smoothing & Soothing Eye Masks

• Why I Love It: When jet lag has me trying as drained as I really feel, I am going to decide up the Klorane Smoothing & Soothing eye masks with a quickness. The hydrogel patches immediately cool the under-eye and ship a much-needed dose of cornflower water, hyaluronic acid, and dextran sulfate to nourish, depuff, soothe, and agency pores and skin. If I’ve any leftover on this seven-pack, I am going to even pop them on once more mid-flight for a fast pick-me-up as soon as en route dwelling.
• Key Substances: Centaurea cyanus flower water, hyaluronic acid, dextran sulfate

Vichy Dry Contact Roll-On Deodorant

• Why I Love It: I turned a pure deodorant girlie by chance. However when aluminum-free choices are nearly as good as Vichy’s Dry Contact, it is exhausting to not be transformed. Actually, what I like most about it isn’t that it aptly absorbs oder for as much as 24 hours (main!), however that it goes on clear. Have delicate pores and skin? To not fear: it is dermatologist and allergy examined so anybody can roll away as they please.
• Key Substances:  Vichy Volcanic Water, zinc gluconate, perlite, allantoiin

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mild Fluid Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60

• Why I Love It: I liken La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Mild Fluid sunscreen to its UV Mune Elixir, which has a milky, serum-like texture that’s satisfying to use. As a result of it’s so light-weight, it sinks rapidly into pores and skin—delivering a supple, bouncy pores and skin, and, in fact, no white solid. I’ve been reaching for it these days earlier than making use of make-up as a result of I can belief my face is not going to really feel cakey, stiff, or dry whereas sporting.
• Key Substances: Avobenzone 3%, homosalate 10%, octisalate 5%, octocrylene 7%, vitamin E, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water and Cell-Ox Protect Know-how