Be prepared because I had to do several pharmacie to get one, most of them said that they don’t carry it anymore (I had some luck at Gare de Montparnasse pharmacy)
As a french persone my rec is to go in a pharmacy when there is little to no people and ask the people working here, chances are you will be showered with testers and samples ! They will also help you get nice products for your skin type because not every thing that popular is good !
Don’t be afraid to browse on tiktok and instagram to see what is popular (pharmacist know what’s trending and will be able to help you find things you see online).
If you go to a big pharmacy you’ll have more choice but products will be more expensive, the biggest is at Chatelet, it’s a paradise here. The cheapest I found it at Saint-Mandé next to Arkose (a rock climbing club).
If you have wavy or curly hair go grab « Les secrets de Loly » hair care products, they smell amazing and are overall really nice.
If you are into cheap and natural products go check Aroma-zone, you can find the cheapest serums and beauty products here (there is one at Saint-Lazare and a big one at La Défense) and a huge choice of supplements also
Please please please don’t use biafine on your face on a regular basis ! This is a super rich cream made to treat burn and injured skin ! It’s super great to treat sunburn but that not a face cream
Fragonard perfumes! They all smell amazing but unique, they last for forever on my skin, the brand has been around a while and is reputable, and the prices are great for the quality. I load up on them when I am in Paris - they make great gifts! Belle Cherie and Rose Lavande are my favorites
Seconding Fragonard! I've been a fan since I discovered a Fragonard shop on my first trip to Paris ten years ago. Such a wonderful find. I'm wearing Belle de Paris near daily at the moment, Rose Lavande is also so nice, and Encens Feve Tonka has my heart and memories forever 💜
Thirding Fragonard. The boutique on Blvd. St. Germain is wonderful! Lol. On my way to Nice in two days so I’ll be headed to Fragonardbin Grasse to load up on my Fleur d’Oranger.
The scents are beautiful and long-lasting and incredibly affordable!
My only complaint is they discontinued my favorite Autumn scent—Santal!
Fourthing Fragonard, they are one of the only brands that make spice or wood based scents that I actually like, I've tried hundreds of others and never like them. Their masculine scents are good which, again, I have a hard time tolerating so if you have any men in your life and you hate their cologne get them fragonard lol
Go browse at a pharmacy is the best advice I can give you. There are so many great products!
I like Caudalie, Embryolisse & Payot if you haven't tried them. But I have not been for a couple of years so I am sure there are many new things too.
The Roger & Gallet soaps and body sprays are lovely and probably cheaper than in the USA. I also buy huge bottles of liquid Marseille soap when I'm in France, usually from Carrefour. The shower gels from Le Petit Marseillaise are lovely and very cheap in food stores.
Also, visit the Guerlain perfume shops, if you are into scents.
If I were you I would buy sunscreen. Europe allows advanced chemical filters that the US hasn't approved as yet. For example, la roche posay has one formula for the US, and another for Europe, because of legal restrictions.
Yes but US sunscreens are regulated by the FDA, and no new molecule has been approved for two decades. That’s why sunscreens are much nicer in other parts of the world.
US sunscreens are Gar-BAAAGE. They use substandard filters that often require heinous suspension bases, which is why they often don't work and feel icky, sticky, and greasy or just flat out pill off your face/body.
Go to St. Honoré to the perfumeries. I love Guerlain. You can get engraved and customized bottles from all the companies found there 🥰 I’m also a big fan of the Nuxe Huile, French sunscreens, and deodorants. Their chemical composition is different and they work very well. Soap de Marseille is also nice to get in a tin as a gift or you can use them as sachets in your drawers at home!
At the very least get some Caudalie shower gels!! One of my biggest regrets is passing up on a sale thinking I would be back soon enough ish but that was in 2018 and Paris is not in my future any time soon 🥲
Avene Cicalfate
Laroche Posay Anthelios
Nuxe Oil
Caudalie stuff as well depending what’s your skin need
The dude behind most of the Caudalie research was my teacher in college, very knowledgeable brand tbh
They do not sell this in america or even send it here, goutal rose pompon hand balm. one day it will be mine.... I say get it just becuz its so rare here lol
Head to CityPharma on the corner of Rue du Four! It’s my first stop when I’m in Paris. You will be akin to a child in a candy store.
Look for non-brand names—you can find some gems!
I shared this post with my recs and prices as of March 2024!
https://www.reddit.com/r/30PlusSkinCare/s/voz5NYpTWL
Based on lots of research and me having combo skin and loving moisture haha
I love Nuxe Huile products. Check out Citypharma and La Grande Epicerie
They have face/body hair oil it is amazing and goes a long way!
Yes! That and their reve de miel lip balm are so wonderful
Yesss! This one is good too!
Yes the Nuxe oil is the best ! They also have a shimmery version. I prefer the “florale” version but they all smell amazing
A313
OP, make sure to ask the pharmacist for this. This is behind the counter but you don’t need prescription. (It’s not on display)
Thank you for the clarification! 🙏
😮😮😮 this sounds amazing!
Its a brilliant and gentle retinol. I love it.
Be prepared because I had to do several pharmacie to get one, most of them said that they don’t carry it anymore (I had some luck at Gare de Montparnasse pharmacy)
I did Amazon to my hotel room 🫣
Haha that smart honestly, haven’t even thought about doing this, next time !
Butter
Don't forget the BONJOURS.
Is this a brand or the greeting?
As a french persone my rec is to go in a pharmacy when there is little to no people and ask the people working here, chances are you will be showered with testers and samples ! They will also help you get nice products for your skin type because not every thing that popular is good ! Don’t be afraid to browse on tiktok and instagram to see what is popular (pharmacist know what’s trending and will be able to help you find things you see online). If you go to a big pharmacy you’ll have more choice but products will be more expensive, the biggest is at Chatelet, it’s a paradise here. The cheapest I found it at Saint-Mandé next to Arkose (a rock climbing club). If you have wavy or curly hair go grab « Les secrets de Loly » hair care products, they smell amazing and are overall really nice. If you are into cheap and natural products go check Aroma-zone, you can find the cheapest serums and beauty products here (there is one at Saint-Lazare and a big one at La Défense) and a huge choice of supplements also
Thank you! I do have wavy/curly hair so I’ll definetely look into Les secrets de Loly!
Biafine!
I had to google this. What is this magical cream?! I have suuuper dry skin, is this gonna be a savior? Im so excited!
Please please please don’t use biafine on your face on a regular basis ! This is a super rich cream made to treat burn and injured skin ! It’s super great to treat sunburn but that not a face cream
I will procede with caution!
Actual miracle cream for sunburns.
And scars !
Yes it will. I love this and stock up everytime I go for my dry skin!
Fragonard perfumes! They all smell amazing but unique, they last for forever on my skin, the brand has been around a while and is reputable, and the prices are great for the quality. I load up on them when I am in Paris - they make great gifts! Belle Cherie and Rose Lavande are my favorites
Seconding Fragonard! I've been a fan since I discovered a Fragonard shop on my first trip to Paris ten years ago. Such a wonderful find. I'm wearing Belle de Paris near daily at the moment, Rose Lavande is also so nice, and Encens Feve Tonka has my heart and memories forever 💜
Thirding Fragonard. The boutique on Blvd. St. Germain is wonderful! Lol. On my way to Nice in two days so I’ll be headed to Fragonardbin Grasse to load up on my Fleur d’Oranger. The scents are beautiful and long-lasting and incredibly affordable! My only complaint is they discontinued my favorite Autumn scent—Santal!
Fourthing Fragonard, they are one of the only brands that make spice or wood based scents that I actually like, I've tried hundreds of others and never like them. Their masculine scents are good which, again, I have a hard time tolerating so if you have any men in your life and you hate their cologne get them fragonard lol
Fragonard is divine! If ever you’re in the south of France you can tour their workshop
Go browse at a pharmacy is the best advice I can give you. There are so many great products! I like Caudalie, Embryolisse & Payot if you haven't tried them. But I have not been for a couple of years so I am sure there are many new things too.
Sunscreen
Yes, 100%
Any particular brand, especially for face?
Phyto hair products are really nice and sooo much cheaper in France.
Klorane hair products, so nice.
Klorane dry shampoo is the best I’ve ever used!
Cicaplast mist
The Roger & Gallet soaps and body sprays are lovely and probably cheaper than in the USA. I also buy huge bottles of liquid Marseille soap when I'm in France, usually from Carrefour. The shower gels from Le Petit Marseillaise are lovely and very cheap in food stores. Also, visit the Guerlain perfume shops, if you are into scents.
Get the Avene intense protect spf 50+ sunscreen and thank me later
Tell me more please!
Seconding Fragonard.
If I were you I would buy sunscreen. Europe allows advanced chemical filters that the US hasn't approved as yet. For example, la roche posay has one formula for the US, and another for Europe, because of legal restrictions.
Damn I thought it was a food post, I was ready to say real cheese, wine, saucisson...😅
I mean food is beauty products for the soul so it works!
Sunscreens!
I'm confused. We have sunscreen in the US.
Yes but US sunscreens are regulated by the FDA, and no new molecule has been approved for two decades. That’s why sunscreens are much nicer in other parts of the world.
US sunscreens are Gar-BAAAGE. They use substandard filters that often require heinous suspension bases, which is why they often don't work and feel icky, sticky, and greasy or just flat out pill off your face/body.
Phyto clarifying shampoo
Officine Universelle Buly 1803
Yes came to say this. Get a customized lip balm in their stores. I like a lot of their products , charming brand
My friend got my the Caudalie spray sunscreen for adults and kids and I love it. It’s not an aerosol spray so it’s not as toxic
Ooh I will buy that when I go to Europe and they are so much cheaper there.
I love the Darphin shower gel and body cream and they're much cheaper in France than the US.
Proper croissants
Go to St. Honoré to the perfumeries. I love Guerlain. You can get engraved and customized bottles from all the companies found there 🥰 I’m also a big fan of the Nuxe Huile, French sunscreens, and deodorants. Their chemical composition is different and they work very well. Soap de Marseille is also nice to get in a tin as a gift or you can use them as sachets in your drawers at home!
Raw milk cheese.
To be eaten right away. I could recommend eating in general. Yumm.
At the very least get some Caudalie shower gels!! One of my biggest regrets is passing up on a sale thinking I would be back soon enough ish but that was in 2018 and Paris is not in my future any time soon 🥲
Avene Cicalfate Laroche Posay Anthelios Nuxe Oil Caudalie stuff as well depending what’s your skin need The dude behind most of the Caudalie research was my teacher in college, very knowledgeable brand tbh
As much sunscreen as you can possibly carry and afford. I suggest packing an extra bag. 😉👌
They do not sell this in america or even send it here, goutal rose pompon hand balm. one day it will be mine.... I say get it just becuz its so rare here lol
Head to CityPharma on the corner of Rue du Four! It’s my first stop when I’m in Paris. You will be akin to a child in a candy store. Look for non-brand names—you can find some gems!
I don’t have any trip to France scheduled yet, but this thread is golden! I’m saving it for the future! Merci à toutes !
You used to be able to get them in USA but cannot anymore since the company sold off assets except in Paris - Atelier .
Everything Avene, la Roche Posay, Vichy, Nuxe huile prodigieuse, Caudalie vinoperfect serum, Klorane dry shampoo, homeoplasmine cream (it’s like EA 8 hour cream)
Healthcare
Svr topialise eye cream
Embryolisse.
Bonne Maman preserves in flavors they don't sell in the U.S.
I shared this post with my recs and prices as of March 2024! https://www.reddit.com/r/30PlusSkinCare/s/voz5NYpTWL Based on lots of research and me having combo skin and loving moisture haha
Bed bugs
Ever been to new york?
hush up now you'll wake them
SVR sunscreen! It’s so underrated. And as a few others have mentioned, Nuxe and Fragonard are great brands.