Recommendations for French skincare products?

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Bdbunny

Bdbunny

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Oct 24, 2022
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#1
Hi all, I'm headed to Paris soon and wanted to pick up some French skincare products that are either not available in the U.S. or at double/triple the price compared to getting it in France. I saw some threads on Korean skincare, but didn't find one on French skincare. Here is a list I cobbled together. Some I have personal experience with and love (such as Biafine, la roche posay UVmune 400) and some I found online. Anyone tried these products or have more to add? I've made CityPharma a stop on my itinerary lol.

-Biafine emulsion
-CicaBiafine foot cream (no joke I put this on my face after a procedure and it was so good!)
-La Roche Posay Anthelios UVmune 400
-Bioderma sebium hydra
-Bioderma Crealine Micellar water
-Homeoplasmine cream
-Klorane dry shampoo
-Nuxe body oil
-Avene anti rougeurs mask
-La Roche Posay cicaplast
-Rene Furterer Végétal spray
-Embryolisse lait crémé Concentrate
-A313 retinol cream (I put this on the list because I know it's popular but I already use a topical retinoid so won't be getting this for myself)
 
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#3
A visit to Oh my Cream is chock full of beauty as well as the lower level of Galerie Lafayette
with unexpected finds that are always not available here in the US

Herve Herau has a beautiful cream & masque for the face
Hair treatment at Leonor Greyl is lovely if you have the time
Serge Lutens at Palais Royal

Joelle Ciocco( not sure if her products are for sale as there was an issue, but her facials are superb
as well as the facials at Bvlgari Hotel & Cheval Blanc
 
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#4
Thank you @papertiger and @Love Of My Life ! Will definitely look into those!

I am actually staying at Cheval Blanc (loved it when we stayed there last summer so I'm looking forward to returning) and I have a lovely treatment booked at the Dior spa there. I tend to avoid facials in general since my face is usually under treatment with one laser procedure or another, but I am looking forward to my massage!
 
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#5
Bdbunny said:
Hi all, I'm headed to Paris soon and wanted to pick up some French skincare products that are either not available in the U.S. or at double/triple the price compared to getting it in France. I saw some threads on Korean skincare, but didn't find one on French skincare. Here is a list I cobbled together. Some I have personal experience with and love (such as Biafine, la roche posay UVmune 400) and some I found online. Anyone tried these products or have more to add? I've made CityPharma a stop on my itinerary lol.

-Biafine emulsion
-CicaBiafine foot cream (no joke I put this on my face after a procedure and it was so good!)
-La Roche Posay Anthelios UVmune 400
-Bioderma sebium hydra
-Bioderma Crealine Micellar water
-Homeoplasmine cream
-Klorane dry shampoo
-Nuxe body oil
-Avene anti rougeurs mask
-La Roche Posay cicaplast
-Rene Furterer Végétal spray
-Embryolisse lait crémé Concentrate
-A313 retinol cream (I put this on the list because I know it's popular but I already use a topical retinoid so won't be getting this for myself)
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If you’re a fan of Caudalie, you should stock up, because it’s MUCH cheaper in Paris (like 40-45% less). I was just there last week, and loaded up on the resveratrol (eye cream and serum), as well as the body wash, hand lotions, vinergetic C+ mask, and vinoperfect (anti-dark spots for my Mom).

LRP is not really that much cheaper in Paris, as compared to the US. Just a heads up if you want to save some of your luggage allowance for something else.

Nuxe body oil has a cult following, but I find the smell to be very off putting.

Micellar water - my absolute favorite is Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc. It’s about €8, and my super sensitive skin has never had an issue with it. I’m in Paris every few months, and always come home with at least 3 bottles each trip!

I’m still fairly new to the Vichy Mineral 89 line, but I’m liking the booster a lot.

My Mother gets horrendous reactions to mosquito bites, so I always get her the Puressential roller, which she says helps a lot.

I haven’t opened it yet, but the SVR topialyse hand cream has great reviews.

Good luck at CityPharma - it can be absolute insanity! Another good option is Pharmacie Eiffel Commerce, in the 15th. Prices are a little but higher than CP, but without the craziness.
 
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#6
Thank you @nycgirl79 ! I don't usually use Caudalie but the resveratrol sounds interesting and I may pick that up.
For LRP, their UVmune 400 is one of the few sunscreens with Mexoryl and it's impossible to get in the US. I picked up a bottle last time I was there, but will need to stock up this time lol.
Thanks for all your suggestions!
 
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#7
Bdbunny said:
Thank you @nycgirl79 ! I don't usually use Caudalie but the resveratrol sounds interesting and I may pick that up.
For LRP, their UVmune 400 is one of the few sunscreens with Mexoryl and it's impossible to get in the US. I picked up a bottle last time I was there, but will need to stock up this time lol.
Thanks for all your suggestions!
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My pleasure! Happy shopping! I’ll have to look into the LRP UVmune - thank you for that recc!

Re: Caudalie - I had never used much of their stuff, but numerous friends swear by it, and have since converted me. Plus the price tags in Paris make it far more palatable when trying new products!

I forgot to mention the Bioderma Atoderm lip stick (like a chapstick/lip conditioner), it’s another one of my favorites.
 
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#8
Bdbunny said:
Thank you @papertiger and @Love Of My Life ! Will definitely look into those!

I am actually staying at Cheval Blanc (loved it when we stayed there last summer so I'm looking forward to returning) and I have a lovely treatment booked at the Dior spa there. I tend to avoid facials in general since my face is usually under treatment with one laser procedure or another, but I am looking forward to my massage!
Click to expand...

Have fun!
 
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#9
Hope you’ll have a wonderful stay in Paris!

You already mentioned Bioderma hydrating serum, but last year they released a new one that is even better : the Crealine defensive serum. I use it every day since and can’t do without it.
IMG_3273.jpeg
In another thread I also mentioned another helpful Bioderma product : if your skin is sometimes itchy their sos spray is perfect.

Another very interesting French pharmacy brand you could look for is SVR. Very technical and efficient for the price.

Dermaceutic’s Turn over glycolic acid cream is also a must if you do exfoliation.

And one of my favourite night lip balm : this little jar of Nuxe à la rose (doesn’t taste like rose at all, the taste is rather sweet…).
IMG_3274.jpeg

Have fun and let us know what you tried when you come back!
 
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#10
RachelVerinder said:
Hope you’ll have a wonderful stay in Paris!

You already mentioned Bioderma hydrating serum, but last year they released a new one that is even better : the Crealine defensive serum. I use it every day since and can’t do without it.
View attachment 5930166
In another thread I also mentioned another helpful Bioderma product : if your skin is sometimes itchy their sos spray is perfect.

Another very interesting French pharmacy brand you could look for is SVR. Very technical and efficient for the price.

Dermaceutic’s Turn over glycolic acid cream is also a must if you do exfoliation.

And one of my favourite night lip balm : this little jar of Nuxe à la rose (doesn’t taste like rose at all, the taste is rather sweet…).
View attachment 5930168

Have fun and let us know what you tried when you come back!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the recs!! That lip balm looks delicious lol! I will need to pick some up!
 
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#15
Highly recommend Pharmacie Louvre Rivoli which is very close to Cheval Blanc (corner of Rivoli and Roule). It’s on 2 levels and they were super helpful and prices are not inflated like some of the other pharmacy’s that are in tourist areas.

Can recommend Uriage Cleansing Oil, SVR skincare, others have been mentioned earlier.

Also first time I have tried the Oh My Cream own brand from their store and I am loving it. Their Universal cream is so hydrating!
 
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