Eat a falafel sandwich at L’as Du Fallafel, drink wine on the River Seine and stock up on French skincare at CityPharma. These are my 3 Paris non-negotiables and it’s simply not a trip to the City of Lights if one of these fails to happen.
You know I love a French pharmacy, and my French skincare hauls are some of the most popular posts on this blog, so I’m guessing the feeling is mutual.
If you have not read my other CityPharma posts, click the links below. I recommend starting with “Tips for Visiting” to help your trip run smoothly. The pharmacy is only getting busier and if you’ve never been, I’m warning you .. it’s extremely overwhelming.
It’s been 3 years since I’ve been to the pharmacie on Rue du Four and there were a few big changes worth noting:
The 2 packs of Bioderma Crealine are no longer available (scroll down to see what they’ve replaced them with). This is one of their bestsellers, so I was sad to see this.
The cash registers have been moved and it feels a lot more hectic checking out.
All of the medicinal products (Homeoplasmine, A313) are now behind the cash registers on the bottom floor.
During this most recent trip to CityPharma, I grabbed all my favorite tried and true products, but I also branched out and am excited to test some new skincare as well. Keep reading for my City Pharma French skincare haul, plus discover how much money I saved by shopping in Paris vs at home in the United States.
CITYPHARMA FRENCH SKINCARE HAUL
CAUDALIE
I first learned about Caudalie from one of my favorite makeup artists, Lottie (check out her work it’s incredible). I would stalk her kit photos and watch all of her Periscope videos (remember Periscope?) and I noticed that she carried a lot of Caudalie in her personal and professional kits.
Per her recommendation, my first Caudalie purchase was their best selling Beauty Elixir and I was hooked.
Caudalie is very expensive in the United States and it’s one of the most pricey brands at CityPharma but it’s still 20-50% cheaper than at home.. so I always stock up.
VINOPERFECT GLYCOLIC ESSENCE
This time around, I picked up the Vinoperfect Glycolic Essence which is a beauty water that feels a lot like a toner.
It contains glycolic acid for brightening and removing dead skin cells, organic grape water to exfoliate and hydrate, and white peony extract for luminosity and radiance. It’s supposed to lighten dark spots and provide a more even skin tone.
Citypharma was having a special where if you purchased 2 full sized Caudalie products, they gave you a Vinoperfect Serum for free.
I actually bought this serum last time I was in Paris. I liked it but I didn’t see enough results to justify purchasing it again… but I’m definitely not going to turn down a free one. Especially since it retails for $80.
PRICE AT CITYPHARMA FREE | PRICE IN THE US $80
A313
This product is a pharmaceutical grade Vitamin A cream (Retin-A) that came highly recommended by several skincare fanatics that I know.
You need a prescription at home for Retin-A and this and it was only €5 at City Pharma so I went a little crazy and bought 5 tubes.
If you’ve read my other hauls, you’ll know that I always grab La Roche Posay’s Redermic R, which is a retinol cream. I didn’t see it this time around and when I asked one of the sales employees, they said the company has, unfortunately, stopped making it.
A313 is a great substitute for Redermic R. People also compare it to Avibon, which was another popular French skincare retinol that his since been discontinued.
PRICE AT CITY PHARMA €5 | PRICE IN THE US $20 BIAFINE
I bought this product on accident. I meant to buy the cream version, per Lisa Eldridge’s recommendation.
Lisa is a celebrity makeup artist who works with people like Kate Winslet, Emma Roberts and Nicole Kidman. She said she likes using the Hydrabio Legere and Hydrabio Riche for dry, dehydrated skin.
This particular product is a gel version of the cream, so it’s going to be a lot lighter. It’s supposed to hydrate, smooth and add radiance to your skin.
Update: I love this moisturizer!!! It is super hydrating and it wears really well under makeup. I wish it was cheaper in the States. I will 100% be buying again.
This is my favorite makeup remover ever. Bioderma is so light, it feels like water on your skin but it removes all traces of makeup quickly and gently.
CityPharma used to have a two pack of Bioderma Crealine for €15 but I didn’t see them this time around.
I asked one of the sales employees and he said they don’t carry the 2 pack anymore. Instead, they have this new, massive 850ml bottle. The 2 pack was a better deal (cost compared to ml) but I like the dispensing lid of the new bottle.
City Pharma does still carry the 2 pack of the Bioderma Sebium (for oily skin).
In the United States, La Roche Posay and Avene are sold in drugstores, so some people might attribute them with lower end skincare. Not the case at all.
CICAPLAST BAUME B5
Cicaplast Baume B5 is a multi-purpose balm for dry, irritated skin.
I keep a travel size in my kit for allergic reactions. It’s also good to use as prep if someone has had recent facial peels, cosmetic work or is on accutane and has very dry skin.
This little Anthelios sunscreen was not a good deal at all but I was lured in by how small and cute it was. It also felt way thicker than the full sized tubes for some reason.
Hopefully I can find a way to re-fill it because it is a great size for throwing in your purse.
PRICE AT CITYPHARMA €5.99 Anthelios pocket size sunscreen is not available in the US or online.
ANTHELIOS ULTRA SUNSCREEN
Some of La Roche Posay’s bestselling products are their sunscreens. I used to love them before discovering the magic of Japanese sunscreens. I still do find myself picking up tubes of La Roche Posay at City Pharma because they are so inexpensive and they work well.
I have never seen the Anti-Shine version of Anthelios sunscreen before but when I saw it on the shelf, I stocked up. One of my biggest complaints about the regular version is that it starts to feel a little greasy under makeup.
I have been using this sunscreen for a few weeks and so far, I love it. I’ll definitely be replacing the original with this version in both my professional kit and personal skin care routine.
I bought this serum for Nick last time we were in Paris and he had great results with it, so this time around I got one for myself.
It is formulated with phe-resorcinol, ferulic acid and micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid, which are supposed to help treat dark spots and uneven skintones.
Redermic C is a pure Vitamin C cream / moisturizing filler with fragmented hyaluronic acid. It can be used as a moisturizer, but I prefer to layer it at night. It hydrates and brightens the skin and supposed to help with fine lines and wrinkles.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse is cult classic French skincare product.
It is the #1 oil in France which can be used on the body, face or hair. I’ve been picking up the dry oil for years, but mostly just for the scent (it smells soo good).
My favorite Nuxe lip balm is their Reve de Miel that comes in a little jar. But I still have some left over so I grabbed these lip balm sticks instead.
I like them for my male clients because they are super hydrating but show up matte on the lips.
At CityPharma, they come in a 3 pack – buy 2, get 1 free.
I’m a fan of Avene products because they are specifically developed for sensitive skin, so the line is extremely gentle.
I always grab a few of their face cleansers because they are cheap and last forever. You can’t even buy a small bottle of Neutrogena face wash at home for the same price, and with these bottles, you get 2-3x the product.
CLEANANCE FACE WASH
This cleanser removes oils and impurities without stripping the skin. It is best suited for those with oily skin.
This cleanser is hypoallergenic, paraben-free, soap-free and gluten-free. It’s best suited for those with dry skin.
Update: I’ve been using this on my face for years, thinking that it’s face wash (and I loved it!) and I just discovered that it is actually a body wash. Haha. I mean, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it??
Hydrance Light is a basic daytime moisturizer with SPF 30. It’s super inexpensive and wears well under makeup. I like to keep one in my travel skincare kit.
Klorane makes one of my favorite dry shampoos for personal use. I’ve never used the extra gentle formula before so I picked up a few cans. It is supposed to have a natural tint so I’m excited to see how it wears vs the traditional white powder.
You can’t beat the price and City Pharma sells it in a 2 pack – buy one get one 1/2 off.
PRICE AT CITYPHARMA €11.89 for 2 | PRICE IN THE US $20 for 1
Homeoplasmine is the holy grail lip moisturizer that I keep in my kit.
I use it on just about everyone while prepping the skin, and it smoothes and moisturizes the lips. It’s a multipurpose balm so sometimes I also tap it on the cheekbones or eyelids during photoshoots.
I grabbed a ton this time around because the tubes are metal so they crack easily. I also am going to throw one in every set bag and purse I own.
Have you been to CityPharma in Paris? Do you have any French skincare brands I should check out next time? Leave me a comment below!
PIN IT: CITYPHARMA PARIS // A MASSIVE SKINCARE HAUL FROM THE BEST PHARMACY IN THE CITY
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. It does contain affiliate links, which means if you click them and purchase something, I receive a small commission.
1 thought on “CityPharma // A Massive Skincare Haul From the Best Pharmacy in Paris”
Thank you very much for your CityPharma piece!! Looking forward to any future ones you might do. I have been shopping there since the 1980’s. (the rue du Four location 6th arrond.)
Thank you very much for your CityPharma piece!!
Looking forward to any future ones you might do.
I have been shopping there since the 1980’s. (the rue du Four location 6th arrond.)