French skincare products are well-known around the world for their quality. However did you know that most French women use pharmacy brand names rather than luxury skincare? This is because it allies simplicity and effectiveness at an affordable price.

I am no exception to the rule. I’ve always incorporated pharmacy products to my skincare routine. I’ve also always loved going to the pharmacy to look at the different products they have. Fun fact, I did an internship in a French pharmacy when I was in 9th grade because I wanted to be a pharmacist! Soon after I realized that it won’t happen because sciences were not my strength at school! Back then I was fascinated by the pharmacists’ knowledge about each medication, their ingredients and properties to cure an illness. This is how my interest in health and wellness started, following that non-toxic beauty.

If you follow me on Instagram (@lafrenchgirlreport) you saw that I recently went to France to visit my family. As usual I stopped by the pharmacy. So I thought I would share with you what I bought and my go-to pharmacy products.

La French Girl Top Picks at the Pharmacy:

This time I loaded up on face moisturizer products for my husband and I. (See picture above) The harsh Chicago winter dries out the skin and moisturizing is key for maintaining healthy beautiful skin. I bought the Skin Food Nourishing Cream Light by Weleda for my husband and Lait-Crème Concentré by Embryollise for myself. The Intense Moisturizing Mask was included for free in the gift box. I only paid (19,90€) for the Lait-Crème Concentré 75ml and got the mask too. Look for those gift boxes or bundle products. They are a great deal and are very common at the French pharmacies. Another product I bought is the repair lip balm Cicalfate+ by Avene. It works wonders for irritated lips or just to protect and nourish them. The Cattier 100% organic lip balm is my go-to lip care, that I always buy at the pharmacy when in France. I buy the green one (repair and nourish) for my husband and the red one (anti-aging) for me. They are cheap (3,90€) and made from good natural ingredients. This lip balm is my everyday lip care. I am a lip balm over lipstick type of person. I can’t leave the house or go to bed without applying it. You will find it in my purse at all times! Another pharmacy essential product of mine is the Green Clay Mask by Cattier or Argiletz. They are both great to purify the skin and cheap. You will see the prices on the pictures below. The Cattier 100ml tube (3.38 oz) is 4, 90€ and Argiletz 400g (14.11oz) is 9,90€. This time I also bought the Naturactive organic lavender essential oil. I realized that it’s much cheaper than in the US and a good quality organic oil (7.40€ for 10ml/0.34oz). I like to put a few drops of lavender essential oils on our bed pillows. It puts your mind at peace and promotes a better sleep.

1- ***Collosol Eau de Lait*** *(9,99 € for 250ml/8.5 fl oz at Citypharma in Paris),* 2- ***Bioderma Crealine H2O*** *Micellar Water (10,95€ for 500ml/16.7 fl oz or 19,95€ for 2 bottles of 500ml),* 3- ***Cattier Green Clay Mask*** *(4,90€ for a 100ml/3.38oz tube),* 4- ***Argiletz Green Clay Mask*** *(9,90€ for 400g/14.11 oz),* 5- ***Weleda Skin Food Light*** *(10,95€ for 75ml/2.5 fl oz),* 6- ***Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré*** *(19,95€ for 75ml/2.5 fl oz + the 50ml* ***Intense Moisturizing Mask*** *for free included in the gift box),* 7- ***Avene Cicalfate+ Repair Lip Balm*** *(5,99€),* 8- ***Nuxe Hand and Nail Cream Rêve de Miel*** *(7,49€ for 2 tubes of 50ml/1.7oz at Citypharma in Paris),* 9- ***Cattier Lip Care*** *(3,90€).*

TIPS:

If the Bioderma Micellar Water Crealine H2O dries your skin, opt for a milk lotion like Collosol Milk Water. The texture of this makeup remover keeps your skin moisturized and soft. It’s a great product. I’m not a fan of oils to remove makeup, so this is my alternative to a micellar water when my skin is dry.
If you’re in Paris go to CITYPHARMA, Rue du Four in the 6th arrondissement. This pharmacy has the best prices of all Paris. Pharmacy Lafayette and Rocade are other well-known pharmacies in France for their unbeatable prices.
For my American friends don’t forget about the tax refund even for your purchases at the pharmacy! If the amount of your purchases is above 100€ you can get the value added tax (TVA in French) refunded to you. You need to have your Passport and ask the pharmacist. The person will fill in the duty-free form that you will have to present at customs at the airport.