The 10 Best French Pharmacy Beauty Products Parisian Women Swear By

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If you’re planning a trip to France, your list of activities probably includes eating plenty of croissants, visiting the Louvre, and seeing the Eiffel Tower. However, France sightseeing looks a whole lot different for beauty obsessives. Ask any, and they’ll tell you the same thing: you’d be remiss if you didn’t stop by a French pharmacy.

French pharmacies aren’t like stateside pharmacies. Yes, they have plenty of health essentials, but French pharmacies are stocked with the kind of beauty products you can’t even find at Sephora. French-girl beauty products are top-of-the-line, from skin care to makeup and hair, and many of them have cult followings for a reason.

Whenever Dr. David Kim, a dermatologist in New York City, is in France, he always makes sure to stock up on his favorite French beauty essentials, including some cult-favorite products like Biafine and Homeoplasmine. French pharmacies also have some of the best anti-aging moisturizers and micellar waters. If you're planning a trip to the City of Love or want to discover top-quality formulas, keep reading for the best French pharmacy products. Each product was vetted by editors, experts, and beauty obsessives, and best of all, you can get shipped straight to your door in the States.

Emulsion

Talk to any French skincare lover, and there’s a good chance that one of the first products they mention will be Biafine. Biafine is a cream used for superficial skin wounds, like sunburns or small cuts. It works by adding tons of moisture to the skin—some people even use it for slugging.

Key ingredients: Trolamine, avocado oil

French Beauty Co.rating: 5/5

An ELLE editor says: “The first time I went to Paris, Biafine was the product I knew I needed to get. I’d heard so many good things about it, so my friend and I both got a tube while we were there, and now we’re hooked. Every time I’m abroad, I pick one up. I’ve used it for everything, from sunburns to slugging to even body lotion when my skin is particularly irritated. Let me tell you—it’s a cult favorite for a reason.” —Katie Berohn, beauty editor

Corrector Cream

Prescription-strength retinol that you can get over the counter? Sign us up. A313 is made with retinoids that help smooth skin, prevent breakouts, and even fade hyperpigmentation. In the world of French beauty, it’s a must.

Key ingredient: Vitamin A

French Pharmacy rating: 4.9/5

A French Pharmacy reviewer says: “The cream is on the thicker side, and yes, it is heavy, but if you put it on mixed with a moisturizer, and put an occlusive (to seal in the product) over, it stays on all night, does not rub off. Even after one night, I was very surprised with the results! The fine lines on my forehead appeared less deep, my texture is smoother all over. I’m very impressed! A little goes a long way. My skin was not irritated nor red.”

Lait Creme Concentre

Embryolisse is every makeup artist’s favorite moisturizer. It’s lightweight but incredibly hydrating, works well under makeup, and gives skin an ethereal glow, thanks to shea butter and soy proteins that hydrate and firm.

Key ingredients: Shea butter, soy protein

Dermstore rating: 4.4/5

An ELLE editor says: “I’ve gone through three tubes of this, and I normally never even finish one moisturizer. I love how well this moisturizer works under sunscreen and makeup. It’s also so easy to travel with.”—Katie Berohn

Ointment

Homeoplasmine is technically a nipple cream, but French women know it can be used for so much more. Thanks to nourishing and soothing ingredients like calendula and Bryonia flower, it works especially well as a lip mask or as a save for extremely dry skin.

Key ingredients: Calendula, bryonia flower

Amazon rating: 4.5/5

Our expert says: “Homeoplasmine is a product I buy whenever I run out. It’s a thick emollient like Vaseline but also has calming ingredients. ”—Dr. Kim

Sensibio - H2O Micellar Water

Micellar water is nothing new, but in Paris, Bioderma’s iteration reigns supreme. It removes makeup, cleanses skin, and even soothes irritation since it’s also infused with calming cucumber extract.

Key ingredients: Cucumber extract, micelles

Dermstore rating: 4.6/5

A Dermstore reviewer says: “This is by far the best micellar water I have ever used, it’s slightly more expensive than some of the other leading brands but it’s very much worth the money. It removes all makeup and is even ok to use under the eyes. I have recently seen that Bioderma has one specifically for the eyes so I will be trying that one too. Your face will feel clean and refreshed after use.”

Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil

If you were to ask French women what their staple product is, they’d tell you that it’s this golden oil. It’s multi-use, so you can put it on your hair, face, or body, and it’s formulated with a blend of seven botanical oils, including argan, camellia, and hazelnut.

Key ingredients: argan oil, vitamin E, hazelnut oil

Amazon rating: 4.4/5

An Amazon reviewer says: “It is a dry oil and it absorbs quickly without leaving you feeling greasy or oily. The scent lingers for a while, but it is not overpowering. Very soft and subtle. I use this in the winter to moisturize my body, as a face oil and as an after shower treatment that gives a light pleasant scent to go to bed. In the summer I like it because it adds a very subtle sheen to the skin. I’ve also used it as a hair oil. Very pleased.”

Anthelios UVmune 400 SPF 50+

It’s no secret that other countries just have better sunscreens than the U.S. This La Roche-Posay SPF is a lightweight, liquid formula infused with thermal spring water that soaks in instantly and doesn’t feel greasy at all.

Key ingredients: Glycerin, thermal spring water

French Pharmacy rating: 4.9/5

An ELLE editor says: “I was in the South of France and forgot sunscreen. I decided to buy this one from the pharmacy, and it quickly became my all-time favorite sunscreen. It blends so seamlessly, wears well under makeup, and makes skin dewy but not greasy.”—Katie Berohn

Thermal Spring Water

Thermal spring water is the key to cooling down on hot days and refreshing your makeup after it’s been on your face for a few hours. This Avène spring water is rich in postbiotic microflora to soothe and calm the skin.

Key ingredient: Thermal spring water

Amazon rating: 4.7/5

An ELLE editor says: “My favorite way to use this is by spraying my face right before I put on hyaluronic acid serum. The hyaluronic acid pulls water into the skin, and when I use this thermal water, it gives me the glowiest skin imaginable.” —Katie Berohn

Beauty Elixir Face Mist

Caudalié products are a French staple. This mist makes skin glow, tightens pores, and sets makeup. Plus, it’s made with hydrating green grapes, radiance-boosting rose essential oil, and cooling peppermint essential oil.

Key ingredient: Grapes, rose essential oil, peppermint essential oil

Amazon rating: 4.4/5

An Amazon reviewer says: “I’ve been using this product for quite some time now, and I must say, it’s become an indispensable part of my makeup routine. I typically apply it after completing my makeup, and let me tell you, the results are fantastic. This magical potion creates a dewy finish to my skin that not only enhances my makeup but also adds a subtle glow that lasts all day. It’s like a finishing touch that takes my look to the next level.”

Dry Shampoo Powder With Oat Milk

If you’ve ever been to France, you know that French women have mastered the art of done-but-undone hair. This dry shampoo is their secret weapon. The formula is comprised of oat milk, which is gentle and soothing—it's basically skin care for the scalp.

Key ingredient: Oat milk

Amazon rating: 4.2/5

An ELLE editor says: “When I went to Paris for the first time, this was one of the products I stocked up on at the pharmacy. I picked up the aerosol version at the time; I loved it for its pleasant scent and ability to get the job done without feeling heavy or gunky on my strands or scalp. However, I didn’t love that one wrong move would lead to my face getting a hit or two of the dry shampoo. I’m relieved that they have this loose powder version, which feels so much easier to control.”—Carol Lee, associate beauty e-commerce editor

Meet the expert

Dr. David Kim is a board-certified dermatologist at IDRISS Dermatology in New York City.

Why trust ELLE Beauty?

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE beauty editor Katie Berohn interviewed a dermatologist and tested products to find the best French pharmacy products.

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