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This post was originally published in 2019. In August 2025, in addition to visiting my hometown of Madrid, I visited Biarritz, France. As you may imagine, I went all out buying skincare at French pharmacies. I hope you enjoy this updated version!
In Europe, buying skincare products is a completely different experience, where seasoned pharmacists in white coats take a more personal approach by offering tailored advice based on your skin’s needs. Fortunately, even though many of these products aren’t available at American drugstores, they’re only a few clicks away! If there’s a takeaway from this blog post is that French skincare products are miracle workers, and if you go to Paris, please don’t forget to go to City Pharma or Pharmacie Monge to stock up on the most coveted French pharmacy products at a fraction of the cost!
Note: If you buy something through the retail Amazon links, I’ll earn a small affiliate commission. 🙂
Here are my essentials:
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
The mother of micellar waters. Bioderma was first introduced by makeup artists who swore by it due to effectively removing makeup on models and actors without a hint of irritation. I love how gentle it is – just one swipe across my face with a cotton pad and voila, most of my makeup is gone. It lays the perfect canvas before proceeding with my gel cleanser. Bioderma has a special effect that other American micellar waters don’t have. It is formulated with soothing ingredients that are targeted to sensitive skin, and even if you don’t wear makeup, it takes off the pollution and dirt from the day. I have sensitive skin and back in the day, I would use really irritating makeup wipes from Neutrogena that would burn my eyes. If you don’t have sensitive skin and you’re ok using any other micellar water for a cheaper price, this might not be the product for you as there are tons of cheaper options out there. But in my opinion, no other micellar water holds a candle to Bioderma.
Avene Thermal Spring Water
The first brand that seemed to catch my eye when I walked into a pharmacy in Spain and France was Avene. While this longstanding French brand offers a wide array of products, their thermal water spray reigns supreme on the pharmacy shelves. In France, thermal waters have been revered for hundreds of years due to their healing properties: Avene, La Roche, Caudalie, all have best-selling facial mists. Even the luxury French water Evian has its own!
Avene has its roots in the commune of Avene, located in southwest France. Known for its thermal springs with water from a protected site, Avene has been a beacon of hope for people with skin sensitivities since the 18th century. You can even go to their Hydrotherapy Centre, visited by people from all over the world to treat skin conditions.
The site also features a water research center, where continuous research and clinical studies are being conducted for a better understanding of Avene’s precious thermal water. All in all, Avene’s strict requirements for their products and intensive scientific research have turned them into one of Europe’s most trustworthy skincare brands.
I ended up getting a small bottle, and now I understand all the hype. This thermal water spray is infused with minerals and glycerin. Every spritz is a soothing dose for the skin. Whether you’re prone to redness, you want to cool down, or prep your face before your serums, Avene feels like a comforting hug for the skin.
This thermal water did an amazing job cooling me down during the hot weather. Some days were so hot that instead of using a moisturizer, I used the thermal water instead. Avene is also widely recommended by dermatologists in France to treat rosacea. On the website, they even recommend applying it to babies who have a skin rash!
Avene’s thermal water is completely free of alcohol, fragrance, oils and parabens, which makes it ideal for those who have extremely sensitive skin. Additionally, it does an amazing job balancing your skin’s PH.
Every time Lily Collins goes to Paris to shoot Emily in Paris, she stocks up on Avene’s Thermal Spring Water! Here’s what she said in a British Vogue interview:
“I stock up on thermal water spray in Paris – it’s way more popular here. Each morning I splash cold water on my face, but with all the travelling I do, I’ve found that it’s best to carry thermal water spray.”
“I wasn’t that educated on the way different waters around the world can affect my skin type, but every time I come to Paris – right before I start shooting – my skin rebels against me,” she explained. “I realised that sometimes the water is a shock to the system, so now when I splash my face with water from the tap, I make sure to follow it up with a thermal water spray, and then dab it with a tissue or cotton pad. It helps hydrate my skin, and eliminates any water impurities from the tap.”
Two weeks after I arrived in the States, I had a horrible plant allergy that made me break out in hives. To say that my arms and legs were itchy is a huge understatement. After using cheap over-the-counter itch relief creams for a few days, I found out that the thermal spray is also suitable for skin rashes in other parts of the body, and I got immense relief once I sprayed it on my legs. When it comes to treating skin issues, nothing comes close to French skincare. I wish I had bought their cream!
You’ll see below that I also talk about Caudalie Beauty Elixir mist, which has a cult following in the US. But quite frankly, I liked Avene’s thermal water a lot better. Caudalie is more of a fancy treat for me. After all, it’s named Beauty Elixir for a reason.
ISDIN Fusion Water Magic SPF 40
Although ISDIN is a brand from Spain, they’ve successfully established themselves as a top-tier sunscreen brand in Europe and Latin America thanks to their cutting-edge formulas. For this, ISDIN works in tandem with dermatologists and scientists to develop the best products.
I got the Fusion Water Magic at a pharmacy in Madrid. I love how fast-absorbing and non-irritating it is. Some sunscreens are way too oily, but since ISDIN is water-based, it feels like you’re putting on a silky, lightweight moisturizer. There’s no fragrance and no white cast, which is a big deal for people of color. It has a very lightweight texture and is infused with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. But it doesn’t end here! ISDIN Fusion Water is also water-resistant and works wonders under makeup. Last year, I wrote an article about sunscreens for people with really sensitive skin. For this, I tried at least 20 sunscreens, most of which were brands from the US. Sadly, most of them broke me out! 😣 As someone with really sensitive skin, I’m happy to say that my skin absolutely loves ISDIN.
The pharmacist in Madrid told me that ISDIN was her sunscreen of choice, and what a great purchase! Coincidentally, when I got the sunscreen in July, Hailey Bieber was featured in one of Vogue’s famous Beauty Secrets videos. My jaw dropped to the floor when she pulled out the ISDIN sunscreen! She uses the Fotoprotector version of the Fusion Water Magic. This version is not available for purchase in the United States due to FDA regulations in active ingredients.
Hailey said: “Whenever I go to Paris or Europe, I love to go to the pharmacy and raid the skincare section. I think sunscreens from Europe are so much better than in the US. They’re my favorite. This one I got at the pharmacy when I was in Paris the last time. I’m obsessed with it and I wish that I had bought five.”
“I found that since becoming a mom I’ve been gravitating towards things that make my routine a lot easier. I love a sunscreen that’s really hydrating, that’s also going to make your skin glowy. Finding the right sunscreen is a lot of trial and error because one of the things that breaks me out the most is sunscreen.”
In 2025, ISDIN Fusion Water Magic won the award for Best Chemical Sunscreen by Allure Magazine, one of the most prestigious beauty magazines in the world.
Caudalie VinoHydra Sorbet Cream Moisturizer
When I visited France this summer, I asked the pharmacist what the most popular nighttime moisturizer was, to which she directed me to the shelves that were fully stocked with Caudalie’s pink moisturizers. Caudalie features a wide range of moisturizers depending on your skin’s needs. Since I have acne-prone skin, the pharmacist recommended the VinoHydra Sorbet Cream. There is another version of this cream that’s tailored to deep hydration.
I’ve been using the sorbet cream since summer and I love it so much that I’ll probably end up purchasing it again in the near future. If you want a lightweight moisturizer at night, this is the cream for you. Suitable for acne-prone skin, the VinoHydra Sorbet Cream is formulated with hyaluronic acid, organic grape water, and chamomile to soothe and hydrate.
It has a whipped consistency, but once you spread it, it turns into a soft gel. Applying this on a hot summer night felt like a cool treat for my skin – leaving my skin refreshed and moisturized without being greasy.
In the US, this cream retails for almost $40, but in France, I got it for a dirt-cheap 17 euros.
NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
This dry oil is a staple in French and European pharmacies and is considered one of the top French beauty / skincare products. Something that you should know about this oil is that it is heavily scented, which might put some people off. Think Chanel’s makeup line: expensive and luxurious. The oil is also multipurpose, so it can be used in multiple ways: ends of hair, body and face. I applied it on my face, but it was too much for my pores to the point where they felt congested; but it’s great for the neck! It heavily moisturizes the skin and since it’s a dry oil, your hands won’t feel sticky or greasy afterwards.
Nuxe also has a gold shimmering oil, perfect to enhance your tan all over your body on those balmy summer days. If you want to know what it feels like to be chic, you need this product in your life. For those of you who want to take a deeper dive into the Nuxe world, their Reve de Miel lip balm is another cult favorite. Surprisingly, this oil is really hard to get in the US and it’s also really pricey compared to Europe, but you can get it on Amazon!
A313 Pommade
Ladies! If you’re over 25 and you’re a skincare junkie, retinols don’t need any introduction. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant known for increasing the skin’s cell turnover rate, which helps prevents wrinkles. My first retinol product was from the Aussie brand Asarai, however, the instructions weren’t clear as to how to use it and I didn’t see any noticeable changes. I found A313 Pommade while I was going down the rabbit hole of European skincare products. This holy-grail retinol can be found at French pharmacies for the ridiculously low price of 12 euros. Additionally, A313 Pommade has earned an Amazon’s Choice Badge, endless praise from the most prestigious beauty blogs, and a spot on Into The Gloss’ “Top 25 products of 2018” list. For those unfamiliar with Intothegloss, it’s like the beauty bible. Another sign from the universe that prompted me to get the pommade was a Byrdie beauty episode of the “Just Five Things” series that I casually came across, where plus-sized model Alessandra Garcia Lorido included A313 Pommade in her top 5 beauty essentials.
A few caveats:
•When you apply it, make sure your face is completely dry after cleansing. You only need a pea-size amount.
• If it’s your first time, I would recommend doing a patch test to see how your skin reacts, especially if you’re new to
• Retinol can’t be used in tandem with AHA’s, BHAs or other exfoliators.
Although you can use it in the morning, retinol and sunscreen don’t bode well togehter. Use it at night for best results.
When I woke up the next morning, the results were visible. The texture of my skin was as soft as a baby, and one acne scar that I have close to my eyebrow diminished significantly. All I can say is that I can’t wait to see the results after more uses. With retinol, you won’t see the results right away, which is why it’s so important to be consistent.
Weleda Skin Food Moisturizer
This is the $12 moisturizer that celebrities like Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow, Adele,
When I went to Spain in the winter of 2018, I was running out of my moisturizer in LA. While Weleda is ubiquitous in Spain, it was a mission to get my hands on the Skinfood moisturizer. As I walked the streets of Madrid, I entered four different pharmacies that carried the whole line, but they were all out of the Skin F
Coming from the mild California winter to the harsh European winter took a toll on my skin. This moisturizer is buttery and very thick, so you might want to rub it in your fingertips first. Once it’s fully layered on your face, it will look like you’re wearing highlighter. The emollient, vitamin-rich oil ingredients work beautifully and give you that lit-from-within glow, which is why many makeup artists use it to prep the skin. If you’re in a cold climate, the Skin Food will also be your hands’ best friend! The cream has a pleasantly faint citrus scent.
If you’re curious to see the multiple ways celebrities use this moisturizer, read this article.
Rihanna requests the moisturizer to be applied on her cuticles before her manicures. Julia Roberts uses it as a hand cream, and Victoria Beckham mixes it with coconut oil as an all-over moisturizer. Given the immense success of this particular product, Weleda released the Skin Food collection, which included a moisturizer with a lighter formula, a body butter cream and a lip balm.
Marvis Toothpaste
I never thought in my wildest dreams that I could deviate from my handy-dandy Colgate toothpaste.
Marvis Toothpaste was created in 1958 in Florence and was intended to be a smoker’s toothpaste, but its effective results at whitening the teeth have stood the test of time. From personal experience, after a few uses, my teeth were as clean and white as if I had just walked out of a dentist appointment. My teeth felt much cleaner and the freshness lasted much longer throughout the day than with my regular Colgate toothpaste. Another bonus is that the toothpaste doesn’t turn into a thick foam. With this being said, Marvis definitely performs at a higher standard than your average toothpaste. While I certainly don’t see myself consistently repurchasing this every time I run out of toothpaste, Marvis is an occasional treat to pamper myself. If you haven’t tried it, do it for the experience. I know it’s just toothpaste, but I can guarantee the aesthetic of your medicine cabinet will multiply by a thousand. It comes in seven different flavors including
Embryolisse Lait-Crème
This product is the pinnacle of French skincare, beloved by pharmacists, dermatologists
This moisturizer can also be used as a primer, cleanser, makeup remover, and even an after-shaving lotion. It’s a must-have in every makeup artists’ kits for a reason. Even Pat Mcgrath, the most iconic makeup artist of our time, swears by it! I love how the French have a more minimalist approach to skincare. They use cheap, yet effective multi-purpose products as opposed to the US, where people use a gazillion different products and fall victim to the latest skincare trends and releases (like me).
For many years, this cream was the best-kept beauty secret backstage during Paris Fashion Week thanks to its gentle formula (shea butter, aloe vera, soy proteins, beewax), and for being non-irritating —making it suitabe to use on every models’ skin. It’s also paraben-free and unscented. Don’t be afraid to try it out! The secret is out because every time I walk into a specialized beauty store here in LA, they either have very limited stock or are completely sold out!
When I wrote this post in 2019, Embryolisse had a different packaging and this moisturizer was pretty much a universal product, meant to work on all skin types.
Six years later, Embryolisse has expanded with a full range of skincare that includes night treatments, exfoliants, and different moisturizers. Although the packaging is now different, Embryolisse swears left and right that the formula is still the same. If you’re thinking of getting the OG cream, they now have a version that’s meant for hyper-sensitive and reactive skin. That’s the one I got! I love how milky it is and how smooth my skin feels afterward.
Embryolisse is not as widely available as some of the brands on this list. It wasn’t ever-present in the French and Spanish pharmacies I went to, but rather at beauty department stores.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir
Caudalie Beauty Elixir is a French cult favorite that has earned a large following of celebrities and makeup artists. The brand was founded in 1995 by married couple Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas at Mathilde’s family vineyard in Bordeaux. Caudalie has grown to establish itself as an international powerhouse, becoming a staple in French pharmacies.
The brand was ubiquitous in beauty stores /pharmacies in Madrid, and many of their popular products were exclusively sold in gift sets. The full-sized bottle retails for $59, but of course, you can buy it in Europe for a much cheaper price. The travel-sized bottle retails for 11 eur in Europe, as opposed to the $20 price tag in the US. Did you know that the Beauty Elixir is the best-selling face mist in Sephora? According to Caudalie, twenty-two bottles of Beauty Elixir are sold every hour in the United States.
So what’s the hype behind it? The formula was inspired by an “elixir of youth” that Queen Isabelle of Hungary used in the 16th century. Legend has it, that her youthful complexion enchanted the King of Poland, who was 55 years her junior. Mathilde Thomas (founder), wanted to create an inspired modern version of the formula used by Queen Isabelle and in 1997, Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir was born.
The smell is very herbal yet subtle. On top of being a face mist, it has other amazing skincare properties, like calming and clearing your skin from any redness or flare ups. Beauty Elixir tightens your pores, sets your makeup, acts a toner and provides your skin with an instant boost of hydration. It’s infused with toning rosemary, astringent mint (which is great for acne and breakouts), and a soothing grape rose, an organic essential oil.
Caudalie has its own hotel/spa, housed in a beautiful chateau in the vineyards of Bordeaux, the birthplace of the brand.
If you go to France, please pack me in your suitcase!
Beauty Elixir is 100% natural and plant-based.
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50
Last but not least, the Rolls Royce of French luxury skincare and the mother of all exfoliators: Biologique Recherche P50. This is not a drugstore product by any means but since it’s French, I had to include it. Biologique Recherche is the best-kept skincare secret.
This exfoliating lotion is praised by celebrities, fashion icons
In one quick Google search, you will find a common thread on P50: rotten vinegar smell and extremely bad tingling sensation.
P50 softly exfoliates and tones while helping regulate the sebum secretion and balancing the skin’s PH, hence the slight burning sensation. It’s formulated with exfoliating ingredients like lactic acid and cider vinegar, which help slough off the dead skin for a more even complexion.
This godsend product is not available at French pharmacies or any beauty supply store. BR is exclusively available at selected spas in certain cities worldwide, so it’s not like you can waltz into a Sephora and buy it. Only known by beauty connoisseurs, Biologique Recherche does a great job flying under the radar and keeping a low profile on the Internet. Additionally, you can’t see the prices online unless you make an account on the retailer website. Yes, it truly feels like you’re actually joining a cult. When you go to your selected spa to purchase it, an esthetician will give you a free consultation and recommend the best P50 lotion based on your skin’s needs. If there’s not an authorized spa seller in your area, you can make an account and get a free consultation online. Just type on the Google search bar your city/country + Biologique Recherche!
If you want to learn more about P50’s miraculous power, read this article! It is the real deal!
The first thing that will strike you about the P50 is the strong vinegar smell, but in all honesty, it wasn’t as bad as described, and the tingling sensation was very minimal. Take into account that I’ve been using P50, which is the gentler version than the original formula: P50 1970. The latter is the strongest of all of them and contains phenol, an active ingredient that is only recommended to apply in small doses. For a more thorough breakdown of each P50 product, click here
Update: In Februrary 2025, BR announced that the P50 1970 lotion was going to be discontinued in the US. The new FDA regulations have officially banned phenol, deeming it unsafe to use in skincare. This is terrible news for skincare connoisseurs in the US who were a fan of the original formula. The last P50 1970 shipment of BR to the US was in January, so it is available while supplies last. Luckily, this will not affect the other P50 versions!
Biologique Recherche has been around for 40 years and is ten times cheaper in Europe. Because I was in Spain for the holidays, I took advantage of this and got my hands on the hard-to-get Masque Vivant face mask. If only I could fly across the pond every time I needed to stock up on Biologique Recherche… If you happen to be in Paris and you’re a skincare junkie, a visit to the Biologique Recherche spa in the luxurious Champs Elysees Avenue is a total must. Here’s an article from Refinery29 that delves deeply into the crazy Biologique Recherche’s P50 obsession.
If you’re looking for a serum, Biologique Recherche has an extensive repertoire based on your skin’s needs. I was surprised to see that the small sizes (0.3 oz) retail between $50 to $80. It is weird for such a prestigious skincare line like this to have such relatively affordable prices. Whether you want to brighten your skin, hydrate, or heal acne scars, it is 100% guaranteed that all your skin malaises will be solved by the angels of French skincare. Here’s the full list of serums, just click on any of them to read the full description. The most popular is the Placenta serum, but I’m currently using Oligo-Proteins Marines.
What are your favorite European skincare products?
