What to Get At a French Pharmacy in Paris

You finally did it. You booked that trip to Paris, and of course, besides going to the iconic Eiffel Tower, walking alongside the Seine River, or having a croissant at a bistro while people-watching, visiting a French pharmacy is a top priority. 

Before the plane took off, a woman sitting next to me had a notebook open with the title “French Pharmacy,” where she was writing down skincare products while looking at her phone. We struck up a conversation and exchanged skincare recommendations. 

Growing up in Madrid, European skincare is something I never took into consideration until I moved to Los Angeles. The lack of skincare with efficacious formulas at a Target or CVS caught my attention. When you walk into a European pharmacy, pharmacists in white coats are ready to recommend the best products tailored to your skin’s needs — rather than simply pointing you to an aisle and leaving you to your own devices.

In Paris, you can find a pharmacy on every corner. However, most of them carry limited supplies or only certain brands. 

So, what are the best pharmacies in Paris to stock up on French skincare?

City Pharma

This is Paris’ most famous pharmacy for international travellers. Yes, the aisles are narrow and it is very crowded — but it’s a must! They offer some of the best prices, largest supply inventory, and great VAT refunds for non-EU travelers. 

Although City Pharma has existed for more than 40 years, it started gaining international recognition in the mid-2010s, with blogs highlighting it as a beauty destination in Paris, especially during Fashion Week. Nonetheless, with social media, City Pharma has experienced a newfound level of success. According to the August 2026 article in the British newspaper The Times, “Forget the Eiffel Tower, Tourists in Paris Seek Pharmacy,” the store has had to hire multilingual employees to cope with the massive demand.

Pharmacie Monge 

Smaller than City Pharma, Pharmacie Monge is another place I kept coming across online.

Pharmacie du Forum des Halles 

This is Paris’ largest pharmacy! It’s another great alternative if you’re looking for a less crowded shopping experience.

Note

When it comes to sunscreens, if you live in the U.S., you won’t be able to buy the European versions on Amazon. Thankfully, many of the other products featured in this article are available on Amazon and at select U.S. retailers. If you decide to purchase anything through the Amazon links below, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 🙂

What To Know

When I wrote the 2018 article “The Cult Favorite European Skincare Products You Need in Your Life“, I talked about the wonders of the viral A313 Vitamina A Pommade. Other popular pommades that have gone viral include Homeoplasmine and Biafine.

When I went to City Pharma, most non-French speakers were making a beeline for these products. However, one pharmacist explained that they were meant to treat damaged skin or rashes, not the face, as many TikTokers were claiming.

In conclusion, don’t buy products blindly just because they’ve gone viral on TikTok. Do your research and ask yourself if it’s something you’re going to use or if it’s going to collect dust once you go back home. 

You can get the viral A313 Vitamin A on Amazon, and now at Ulta thanks to their recent partnership. It’s a great retinol for beginners, but with the advent of social media, it’s taken on a life of its own.

So, what are the French girls buying at the pharmacy? 

At City Pharma, not only did I ask questions to the pharmacists about what the most popular products were, I also looked for French speakers and peeped into their baskets.

As far as what the most popular products were, there was not one definite answer: Caudalie, Avène and La Roche-Posay are best-sellers, but I also found out about other brands that are relatively unknown in the U.S, like SVR. 

While I was having a conversation with my facialist Leila at the flagship store of Biologuique Recherche, she highly recommended SVR: “I love their sunscreens, but everything is so good,” she said. 

If you live outside of Europe, the product I recommend buying the most is sunscreen. Yes, Avène and La Roche-Posay are available at Target and CVS, but the formulas sold in the U.S. are different because the FDA regulates sunscreen as an over-the-counter drug rather than a cosmetic product. You’re going to be protected either way, but you won’t get the same cutting-edge UV technology found in the French formulas.

In June 2026, the U.S. FDA approved bemotrizinol, the first sunscreen active ingredient to be approved in more than 20 years.

Another product I recommend getting at the pharmacy are sun water sunscreen sprays (eaux solaires). In the U.S., the spray sunscreens at CVS are thick, meant for beach use, and the options at Sephora are also pretty scarce. Given Europe’s broader range of approved UV filters, French brands are constantly testing new, innovative formulas that would be an anomaly in the U.S. An invisible, fast-drying spray with SPF 50 protection? Yes, please!

SVR 

Unfortunately, their sunscreens are not available in the U.S., but you may check out their serums and creams on Amazon.  

I got two SVR sunscreens at City Pharma: Sun Secure Creme SPF 50 and Sun Secure Care Water SPF 50. 

Crème SPF is a slightly thick sunscreen with a mousse-like texture. Made with a combination of UV filters, it provides a high level of broad-spectrum sun protection while helping prevent signs of photoaging caused by sun exposure. Its non-greasy finish also makes it ideal to use as a primer under makeup. However, after trying it, I prefer the texture of Avène and La Roche-Posay’s sunscreens. 

At City Pharma, I heard a girl who spoke French browsing the aisles holding the sun water spray version — so I got the travel size, and after trying it in Madrid, I got the big bottle right away. I love it! 

This elegant water-based formula not only protects against UVA, UVB, visible and infrared light, but it’s also made with vitamin E and niacinamide. It’s not oily, dries very fast and, most importantly, it’s invisible and lightweight. I only use it on my arms, but it’s also suitable for the face. There is a slight scent, but once it’s applied, it fades away. A little bit does not go a long way with this sunscreen, so make sure you spray it generously to get the right amount of protection!

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5

There was a swarm of people trying to get their hands on this product at City Pharma, but I passed on it. Well… I actually ended up getting it in Madrid! Why? I have a mild case of dermatitis on the back of my neck that sometimes flares up due to temperature changes or clothing fabric. After I showed the pharmacist the back of my neck, she highly recommended the viral La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5. It was so soothing and the itchiness stopped in just a few minutes!

The key ingredients are centella asiatica, an ingredient native to Southeast Asia and prominently used in K-Beauty; vitamin B5 (panthenol), which helps soothe the skin and support barrier repair; shea butter; and glycerin.

The pharmacist said, “Yes, besides relieving itchiness, it also has repair properties. It’s really good”. The packaging also shows that it’s suitable for skin irritation after shaving your intimate parts, post-laser treatments like tattoo removal, and redness in baby’s skin. If you’re suffering from itchiness or irritation on larger areas of your body, then the Lipikar lotion is a great choice — which I ended up getting at City Pharma, and it’s also featured on this list.

In the U.S., I’ve had no luck with prescribed occlusive treatments — nothing has worked as effectively as this. There’s truly nothing like French skincare! I’m currently applying Cicaplast morning and night. 

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVmune 400 

This is one of France’s best-selling sunscreens for a reason. I got four bottles for only 13,87 euros each, and last year, when I went to Madrid, I also made sure to stock up. One bottle will last me at least 3-4 months of daily use. I already raved about this sunscreen on my post “The Best Sunscreens for Medium / Dark Skin”, but I’ll do it again:

Formulated with advanced UV filters that aren’t yet approved in the U.S., including Mexoryl 400, which is designed to absorb ultra-long UVA rays, La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 is an excellent choice for both everyday wear and long periods outdoors, thanks to its elegant texture and high protection.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 is a match made in heaven for my sensitive skin. It’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, lightweight, water-resistant, non-greasy, and leaves zero white cast. It’s also formulated with La Roche-Posay’s thermal spring water. I cannot recommend it enough!

Unfortunately, the U.S. version, called La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Sunscreen for Face, does not contain Mexoryl 400, its standout filter.

Avène

When it comes to sunscreens, Avène is a sales leader in France, alongside La Roche-Posay. Last year, I purchased the Intense Protect SPF 50. This sunscreen is great, but it’s on the thicker side, and I only reached for it after I ran out of my beloved La Roche-Posay UVmune 400.

After trying their best-seller line, the Ultra Fluid, it’s become my second favorite sunscreen. This line has different sunscreens tailored to your skin’s needs: Oil Control, Mat Perfect, Radiance, and Invisible. I got two in Madrid: Invisible and Oil Control. 

Although La Roche-Posay provides superior protection against ultra-long UVA wavelengths, Avène’s Ultra Fluid line also has its own broad-spectrum filter called TriAsorB, designed to provide enhanced protection against long UVA wavelengths.

Avène’s two other bestselling products are the Cicalfate Repair Cream and the Thermal Spring Water. However, when I went to City Pharma, most people were reaching for the former. According to Avène’s website, one tube of Cicalfate Repair Cream is sold every 10 seconds in France.

Avène Cicalfate Repair Cream

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+MAX Body Cream

This is another product I saw getting a lot of attention in the aisle, and I’m so happy I purchased it! Thankfully, this product is available on Amazon U.S. — albeit with slight differences in the formula.

This summer, I didn’t give my body the same care, love, and attention I give my face. So when I got back from Paris, I realized my arms had started to flake due to the intense tanning and prolonged sun exposure in Italy the weeks prior. 

After one use, I could feel a very noticeable improvement right away. My skin instantly felt nourished and hydrated. However, what stands out the most is La Roche Posay’s cutting-edge formula. 

Besides providing hydration, the Lipikar body cream is designed to repair and support the skin barrier. Key ingredients include shea butter, glycerin, niacinamide, and La Roche-Posay’s thermal spring water — making it an excellent choice for eczema-prone and very dry skin.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Face Moisturizer 

Praised worldwide for its gentle formula, Embryolisse Lait-Crème has been used for years to prep models’ skin at fashion shows and has earned its status as moisturizer royalty.

It was completely sold out at City Pharma, but it was widely available at other French pharmacies around Paris. The formula itself isn’t revolutionary, but it contains soothing and moisturizing ingredients that make it an ideal multipurpose product—whether you use it as a moisturizer, an after-shave treatment, a makeup primer, a cleansing milk, or after-sun care.

A few years ago, Embryolisse changed its packaging and expanded its cream range with new formulas, including retinol and sensitive-skin versions.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

Caudalie is a French-girl skincare staple. I personally never got into the yellow sunscreen (very thick, although they now have a water spray version available in Europe) or serums, but I really liked the VinoHydra Sorbet Cream Moisturizer — and, of course, the brand’s signature product, the Beauty Elixir.

The cult-favorite Beauty Elixir spray dominated the brand’s shelf at City Pharma, along with big bottles of the Grape Water Moisturizing Face Mist—which I had never seen before. I bought two travel-sized Beauty Elixir bottles for 11 euros each, and I love spraying it before applying my serums. Its fine mist and soothing herbal scent truly makes me feel like I’m at a spa. 

Inspired by the Queen of Hungary’s elixir youth, Caudalie’s founder Mathilde Thomas launched the Beauty Elixir in 1997. Before the internet and social media caught on to it, the Beauty Elixir had long been used by makeup artists at fashion shows. By 2017, Refinery29 reported that 22 bottles of Beauty Elixir were sold every hour in the United States.

Bioderma – Sensibio – H2O Micellar Water

An oldie but a goodie! There has never been a more famous micellar water in the world. Although the hype has died down with the rise of double-cleansing, Bioderma’s micellar water continues to reign supreme in French pharmacies, with a dedicated fan base around the world. At this point, Bioderma is widely available in the U.S., including Target, Ulta or selected CVS locations – but it goes without saying that you can get it at a cheaper price in Europe. 

I never understood the hype around Neutrogena’s makeup wipes, which I found quite harsh when I used them for the first time. This micellar water contains no fragrance or alcohol and is formulated without harsh or active ingredients that may disrupt the skin barrier.

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel Cleanser

Bioderma’s Sensibio Gel Moussant is one of the best-selling cleansers in France – known for its pleasant texture and soothing formula that will not make sensitive skin feel tight or dry after using it. I did see a lot of people reaching for it at City Pharma, and all the reviews I’ve come across so far are glowing! 

I have yet to try it, but I’ll make sure to buy it once I finish my Beauty of Joseon Green Plum cleanser. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming cleanser 

This blue bottle seemed to be ubiquitous in Paris pharmacies, as well as in Madrid. Despite being a foaming cleanser, the Effaclar Foaming cleanser is formulated with zinc to help control excess oil, along with glycerin and La Roche-Posay’s thermal spring water. I haven’t tried it myself, but if you’re looking for a cleanser for oily or blemish-prone skin, this is yet another French pharmacy staple. 

Even when I returned to Spain, I loved frequenting pharmacies like Druni and Primor. It was fascinating to see teens making their way straight to La Roche-Posay, inspecting which products would work best for their needs.

Cooper Pommade 

Before I went to France, I spent two weeks in Southern Italy. Despite drinking a lot of water, the brutal heat took a toll on my lips. 

I got the Nuxe Lip Oil (listed below) at City Pharma, but I felt I needed to reapply it every hour. So, I went to another pharmacy and asked for something stronger. The pharmacist recommended the Cooper Pommade. Is French vaseline formulated differently? After only two uses, my lips were healed the next day. To say that I was impressed is a big understatement. You can only buy the Cooper Pommade in-person, in France. The big tube retails for a jaw-dropping price of 3 euros and, as most French ointments, it can also be used on the body. 

Eborian BB Cream

This TikTok viral BB cream is actually French-Korean, and it was the first BB cream that launched in Europe, back in 2009!

The woman on the plane had it on the list and encouraged me to get it – but ultimately, I didn’t. I already wear SPF and dab concealer to correct minor imperfections every day. Not to mention that the Korean market is oversaturated in the U.S. with K-Beauty BB creams. 

Nonetheless, according to Vogue Spain, the Erborian BB Cream has long been a French favorite due to its “baby skin” effect, buildable coverage, and gentle formula featuring its hero ingredient: ginseng, a Korean skincare active that helps support collagen production, reduce signs of aging, and improve skin elasticity.

If you get it in Europe, it’s slightly cheaper than in the U.S. — but only by a smidge. You can also get it on Amazon or at Ulta. For me, it’s not a product worth traveling to Paris for.

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Oil 

When I asked a pharmacist what the most popular lip product was, she pointed to a display bin stacked with Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip oils. Unfortunately, I was not impressed by this. It has eye-catching packaging and provides a lightweight, glossy coat for your lips — but it does not provide a protective barrier to heal and repair your lips.

I highly recommend getting the lip balm instead (click here). If you’re in France, you can get it for less than 10 euros and it yielded great results when I got it years ago at a pharmacy in Madrid in the winter. 

Eucerin Acquaphor Skin Repair Balm

In Spain, lip balms have always been a thing. I remember being 11 and seeing girls at school carrying around the tiny pink pot of vaselina. At three different pharmacies in Madrid, they directed me to the Eucerin Aquaphor Skin Repair Balm.

At City Pharma, the pharmacists said that this lip balm was also a cult favorite, alongside Nuxe. You can see it below on the right side.

Interestingly, the European version of Aquaphor is sold under Eucerin and has a slightly different formula from the classic Aquaphor Healing Ointment sold in the U.S.—but neither is necessarily better than the other.

Neutrogena Norweigan hand cream 

What do French girls reach for when it comes to lip care? It’s the Neutrogena Norwegian Hand Cream. I got one at City Pharma for 4 euros. Neutrogena is an American brand, and I personally find most of their products lackluster, especially when I moved to the U.S. Their sunscreens left me with a very noticeable white cast!

However, it’s interesting to see how popular the Norwegian Hand Cream is in France, as well as Spain. The reason it’s a best-seller is its high concentration of glycerin, which deeply moisturizes the skin and, according to the brand’s website, provides 24-hour hydration for even the driest, most cracked hands. Combined with its dirt-cheap price, this hand cream is a staple in French pharmacies.

There are other brands that make amazing hand creams, like the Weleda Skin Food moisturizer, which I didn’t see getting much buzz at City Pharma, or L’Occitane, though the latter is on the pricier side.

I hope you found this post useful and save it for your next trip to Paris. Bon voyage!