Whether you are planning to hit up CityPharma or Pharmacie Monge in Paris or just pop into any pharmacy while visiting France, knowing what brands to shop for will help you feel less overwhelmed when you browse the shelves. As the founder of En Route to Rêverie and a self-proclaimed Francophile, I don’t think any trip to Paris is complete without a stop to a French pharmacy to stock up on beauty products and this post will help you decide what brands to buy at the French pharmacy. 

What Brands to Buy at the French Pharmacy

Klorane

The Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk has been favorite dry shampoo for nearly five years. This does such a good job of soaking up oil, giving hair texture and volume at the root. It’s not overly fragrant or powder-y, either.

The brand makes a lot of great products for hair if you’re looking for shampoos and conditioners, too. 

Christophe Robin

The namesake label of hair dresser Christophe Robin. It’s not found at every French pharmacy as many don’t carry a lot of hair styling products but Citypharma in Paris does have some of the line at great prices. 

A must-buy is the Christophe Robin Purifying Sea Salt Scalp Scrub. I use this as my shampoo and I always, always restock it when I am at Citypharma. I get the full size when I need it and always buy a mini as it is my preferred shampoo in my Toiletries for Travel.

Embryolisse

The Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré has cult status across France. French makeup artists swear by this cream and always have it on their kits. Its also loved by many a celebrity and I love that it works so seamlessly under makeup.

I buy this product in the mini size as it is great for travel since it is part moisturizer, part makeup primer.

I like a lot of products this brand makes – including their skin tint, their color correcting concealer and eye balm so you may want to look for those, too! 

Darphin

This luxury skincare brand is known for its use of essential oils. They have great balms and serums and moisturizers and I particularly like the Darphin Intral Inner Youth Rescue Serum. This is such a good serum if you suffer from any redness. 

The brand is not widely available at pharmacies but it can be found in healthy supply at CityPharma. 

Vichy

A well loved pharmacy brand for its price point and effective products aimed at anti-aging and glow. I’m a fan of the Vichy Double Glow Peel Mask in particular. 

La Roche-Posay

La Roche Posay reigns supreme over French pharmacies for good reason. This line is beloved in particular by those with sensitive skin.

I personally love their Cicaplast line – especially the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5. It’s like a fancy aquaphor for your face but more wearable. It’ll repair your skin barrier and help it recover from any irritation.

They’ve expanded the line of the Cicaplast Balm now so you’ll find loads of styles and forms. I have a mini to always travel with now which I love. Every single French pharmacy carries this brand so you won’t miss finding the iconic white and blue packaging.

And don’t miss shopping their SPFs either. They are great. 

Filorga

I’m not usually a fan of sheet masks but Filorga is the exception to my rule. Their Filorga Sheet Masks are must-haves and much cheaper when bought in France. They have a good eye cream, too and their moisturizers and other skincare products are worth browsing.

Bioderma

This brand made micellar water exceptionally popular in France. So many of my French friends have a bottle of the micellar water in their bathrooms for a second cleanse but you’ll find a variety of products featuring the ingredient. 

NUXE

Famous for their NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil you’ll find it in a variety of types now. 

You can use this elixir full of essential oils all over your body, on your hair, on your cuticles – really anywhere you’d like some healthy looking shine. French women love to add a few drops to their body lotion as well.

I’m also a huge fan of the Nuxe Very Rose Micellar Water. It’s so gentle and great for use after your first cleanse.I use it in tandem with the reusable cotton pads found here.

Avene

This brand is famous for their thermal spring water products like the beloved Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray. This spray soothes and softens skin and is amazing for those with sensitive skin. It’ll provide antioxidant protection and overall I just find it so comforting to apply. Pro tip: buy the minis to have in your purse and carry on. The mist is particularly lovely to spray on hot days!

Caudalie

The price difference between buying Caudalie in France vs. the U.S. is significant. I am always stocking up on my favorites from the brand. Absolute must-buys are the Caudalie Instant Detox Mask and Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum.

A313

The A313 Vitamin A cream is beloved by French women for its ability to serve as a retinol for plumping fine lines and makes skin look fresh. I’ll admit, I didn’t like it much at first but I’m quite sure they have reformulated it to make it less sticky/tacky. Now I can’t live without it or travel with out it. I use it almost every night and like to layer it underneath my favorite night cream.

At some pharmacies like Citypharma, this product is going to be found behind the cashier’s counter though so be sure to ask for it as you check out. At some other French pharmacies I have found it on store shelves, however.

Erborian

I always restock on my favorite Erborian BB Cream when at the French pharmacy. Also look for their CC Red Correct and the BB Eye Cream which is so good for dark circles under the eyes! It isn’t carried in the U.S. so worth grabbing while in France.

Biafine

The Biafine Cream is excellent on scrapes, cuts and for burn care. Apply it after any sun burns and you’ll be glad you did! They have a few other SKUs, too you can browse but the cream is what they are known for. 

Homeoplasmine

The Homeoplasmine Balm is another great do-it-all kind of balm. I like to use it on cuts and scrapes and as an intense lip balm before bed.

Clarins

Clarins isn’t widely available at pharmacies but I did find a selection at Pharmacie Monge in the 5eme arrondissement in Paris. I like their lip products and I adore their Clarins V-Facial Instant Depuffing Mask, the Clarins Cryo-Flash Instant Lift Effect & Glow Boosting Face Mask and the Clarins Double Serum Light Texture Firming & Smoothing Anti-Aging Concentrate .

Glytone

A great brand known for using gentle yet effective glycolic acid in its formula. 

Biologique Recherche

While you can buy this for less money in France, you won’t be able to do so at a French pharmacy. It is, however, sold at their boutiques in Paris. 

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