What to buy in a pharmacy in Paris seems to be one of the fundamental questions of modern times, something every blogger has to address at some point. Obviously, I swore I’d never do it. But the more I read posts that unfailingly mentioned Bioderma micellar water, Embryolisse moisturizer and Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm, the more I thought I might in fact give it a go (for the record: the first is fine, second made me break out and I hate the third. It sits on my lips like cement.) Time has moved on and there are many other excellent products released by French pharmacy brands, plus I’ve got some older favourites that I don’t see mentioned much.

This is not the post where you’d find the ‘hidden treasures’ of Paris pharmacies. Obscure cult products are a legitimate category, but not one that I know well enough to offer any true insight. Also, how many universal balms that heal everything does a person need (see Biafine, Homeoplasmine, etc)? Are people burning themselves on a regular basis? Anyway, most products mentioned here are now widely available outside France, so you can put my recommendations to the test immediately.

1. Caudalie Make-Up Removing Cleansing Oil. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: this is one of the best oil cleansers on the market, whatever the price point. Unfortunately, I’m out of it at the moment and therefore it’s not pictured. But have no fear, I’ll be buying it again.

2. Mini bottles of micellar water. My feelings about micellar water are less than ecstatic: who would use an insipid micellar product, if one can use the Caudalie oil? But. But. These waters are great for travel, when using water is complicated. Bioderma, Caudalie, Lierac and other French brands do smaller, very practical versions of their make-up removers, something I always have on hand. (If you insist, my favourite micellar water is from Decleor and I have been using it for 15 years, mostly stealing from J’s stepmother.)

3. Darphin Aromatic Cleansing Balm with Rosewood. To conclude the cleansing section, I’ve picked a balm from Darphin. I’m not entirely sure if Darphin would qualify as a traditional pharmacy brand, as it’s a bit more upmarket, but it’s definitely sold in pharmacies. I would call this cleanser a more mature version of Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm: it’s a bit harder, less balmy in texture, making it great for a face massage. I love the grown-up, woody scent and it’s very efficient too.

4. Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum. Serums are something I usually spend insane amounts of money on (because Caroline Hirons says so), so I don’t have too many favourites here. That said, Vichy remains a good hydrating product. I hoped in fact to include the night mask from the same series, but have not yet had time to try it. Caudalie’s serums are worth checking out as well (I could easily do this post with Caudalie products only, as it’s my favourite of all pharmacy brands).

5. Avene YstheAL Anti-Wrinkle Emulsion. Good retinol creams tend to cost a lot, I know that from personal experience. That said, I have used products that are 5 times as expensive as YstheAL, but haven’t given me results as good. I’m not sensitive and have only once experienced mild peeling because of retinol, but sometimes it can sort of backfire on my skin. It has never happened with this. Great one for the beginners.

6. La Roche-Posay Redermic series. Continuing the retinol theme, La Roche-Posay’s Redermic R eye cream is the only cheaper eye cream I’ve ever seriously liked. If you expect more from your eye product than a nice cooling sensation, but don’t want to spend yourself silly, try this. The Redermic R concentrate for face is also great, and first trials show I really like the new Redermic C filler/moisturiser – I bought the SPF 25 version and it’s a really good value, very practical product.

7. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+. In a failure of editing, I’m listing several La Roche-Posay products in a row, but please try to forgive. While my skin looks relatively OK most of the time, I tend to have breakouts on my chin and occasionally elsewhere, too. If none of my fancy stuff is working, I go back to Effaclar and it never makes things worse (if you’ve ever had breakouts, you know that this is already a major result). It can be a bit drying for my combination skin, so I often use it on the t-zone only. For simple, light hydration with no frills, I love Caudalie Moisturising Sorbet.

8. Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk. OK, I admit, this one features in most French pharmacy articles, but in the interest of accuracy, I had to include it. I use fancier dry shampoos and texturisers as well, but I like to have this one around, both in full and mini sizes. If your budget is really strained, Batiste is also helpful.

9. Roger & Gallet Huile Sublime Bois d’Orange. Nuxe and Caudalie body oils feature frequently on these lists as well. I find the first too dry and while I like the second, I’m taking this opportunity to recommend Roger & Gallet’s Bois d’Orage body oil. People (me included) mostly talk about their fragrances, soaps and shower gels, but this oil probably has my favourite scent of all R&G products – woody, sunny and citrussy.

10. Dr Hauschka Lavender Sandalwood Calming Body Wash. Dr Hauschka is obviously not a French brand, but it’s available in many French and non-French pharmacies. I have fallen out of love with their skincare over the years, but Lavender Sandalwood is one of my favourite shower products of all time. Hugely enjoyable.

11. Institut Esthederm suncare. La Roche-Posay is famous for their sun protection, but I haven’t had much luck with the products so far. I remember liking Institut Esthederm products in the past, so I plan to buy a bottle for my trip to Martinique and will then have results and evidence to share.

I have a worrying tendency to gravitate towards seriously expensive skin care, but these are all products that I use and like to have around at all times (unless stated otherwise). Not that pharmacy brands are dirt cheap, but compared to many mainstream and niche offerings these days, they are still very reasonable and definitely worth trying.