For when France seems too far away. Shop for inspiring images of France and discover travel tips, packing advice, recipes, book reviews and more.
For when France seems too far away. Shop for inspiring images of France and discover travel tips, packing advice, recipes, book reviews and more.

My Latest French Pharmacy Finds

French Pharmacy Finds

Forget the Louvre. Ditch Notre Dame. And scrap the Eiffel Tower.

If there is only one destination you visit while you are in Paris, it should be a pharmacy.

French pharmacies are renowned the world over for the wealth of skincare lotions and potions that can be found just below a flashing green cross.

On our recent visit, primarily because we stayed just around the corner, I finally made it to the fabled City Pharma (sometimes know as City Pharmacie) on rue de Four in Paris’ 6th arrondissement.

Reputed as having the best range and prices of all the pharmacies in Paris, City Pharma is also known for being extremely crowded. A reputation I can confirm, despite the fact that I walked through the doors just after nine in the morning.

But the effort of fighting my way through the crowds was worth it. The range and prices were indeed impressive, as was the service. When I asked an assistant for help in finding a particular product, she immediately (and correctly) diagnosed my skin as ‘sensitive combination’ and pointed me in the direction of a range that could support my apparently confused skin.

Apart from purchasing the products she suggested, I also picked up a number of new finds as well as a few old favourites.

My Latest French Pharmacy Finds

Darphin Paris Ideal Resource: Smoothing Serum and Fluid. These were the products the assistant recommended. I’ve been using them for over a month now and have to tell you that I really like them. You only need the tiniest amount and the sensitivity in my skin has definitely settled down.

Talika Lipocils & Black: 2-in-1 eyelash conditioner and mascara. This product is quite expensive in Australia, but the exact opposite at City Pharma. I’d used the lash conditioner previously, however I hadn’t tried the mascara. Turns out that the mascara is quite lovely – a deep black that lasts well. And the whole 2-in-1 thing is great for travelling.

Caudalie Nourishing Body Lotion. I’d tried Caudalie’s Divine Oil but this time I was in the market for a more everyday body moisturiser. My skin was so dry after the Aussie winter. This lotion is excellent. I adore the scent and it absorbs easily, leaving just the slightest sheen on your skin.

La Roche-Posay retinol products. I always make sure I stock up while I’m overseas because although you can buy them in Australia, the prices are better in France.

Marvis toothpaste. Yes, I’m aware Marvis is actually an Italian brand – but for me Marvis equals French toothpaste. The packaging is gorgeous and the flavours are very different – my favourite is Amarelli Licorice.

Finally, although I didn’t buy any, I was interested to note that the well known pharmacy favourite Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré was in the basket of so many of my fellow shoppers. I don’t think I know another moisturiser that has been so popular for so long.

Are you a fan of French pharmacies? Do you have any favourite products? If so, I’d love for you to share in the comments section below.

And until next time – au revoir.

Please note – this is an unsolicited post and no compensation of any kind has been received by Distant Francophile from the brands mentioned.

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