What should I buy from a French pharmacy?

[Pigtailsandall]

Off to Paris on Wednesday - what lovely potions and lotions should I look for? And are all the pharmacies the same?

I'm in Paris at the moment so I'd love to know!!

Off the top of my head: Hei Poa monoi oil (I personally love it but it might not be to your liking).

F

Retinoid

Marseille soaps (or similar)
If you like making up your own face masks, they do lovely clay powders (white, green, pink etc).
Otherwise, I like having a look around and buying what catches my eye.

My friend recommended Huile Prodigieuse, by Nuxe. Apparently she uses it on her hair and body. I shall do some googling too...

Not the kind of thing you're looking for, but melatonin and Apaisyl for me!

Melatonin is a good shout!

Tweezers!

Cerave hydrating cleanser. Pre-Brexit, I'd buy a litre bottle for ~£10 from an online French pharmacy.

It's more expensive from UK sites, for smaller bottles. So that's the first thing I'd like to buy, if I were going to France.

You can't buy melatonin in French pharmacies, nor can you buy retinoids at stronger strength than the U.K. Honestly most brands available in french pharmacies you can get in the U.K. easily now. The main brands you see are la Roche posay, Avene, and Nuxe. If you're curious I'd just nose about and buy something that catches your eye

You can definitely buy melatonin in French pharmacies - I bought some last week and it's not even behind the counter at mine!
Doxylamine (Donormyl) is also good for sleep.

And Caudalie skincare and hand cream, and Roger Gallet bath/body stuff. Have fun!

Not in the pharmacy, but get to a supermarket ie Carrefour, and stock up on Le Petit Marseilles hand washes, particularly the olive oil one, and shower creams. Lovely quality.

Second Le Petit Marseilles

A313 ointment - THE best pharmaceutical-strength retinol. (Introduce it very slowly…pea-sized amount 2xwk for a month, 3xwk next month, every 2nd day, etc…) Buy four or five tubes and use on face and hands.

The French are very keen on suppositories.

I love Roger & Gallet soaps and lotions. You can get those here, but they're everywhere in Paris and a much better variety.

deffo Huile Prodigieuse - Nuxe is great

If not

This is fun

www.powersante.com/ricqles-alcool-de-menthe-50ml.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwrqqSBhBbEiwAlQeqGlIrsHpaz542694cTXU6jSGKJqYRZkMIqDlJNpqbsumMKEAnKIIoXBoCR34QAvD_BwE

Ricqlès mint alcohol is useful in many situations. This product can notably relieve motion sickness, heatstroke or even nausea. Used for more than 150 years for its invigorating properties, Ricqlès mint alcohol is easily transported to be used as soon as the need arises. Food supplement based on peppermint essential oil, this essential product from the Ricqlès brand also helps to regain one's senses after a slight discomfort or a moment of temporary fatigue.

Ricqlès mint alcohol can also be used to flavor cold or hot drinks to give them a subtle minty flavor. Composed of more than 80% alcohol, this product should be used in moderation, preferably avoiding driving after consumption. In its format reminiscent of the original bottle, Ricqlès mint alcohol fits everywhere to be accessible when traveling. Thus, it can be used at home as well as when traveling, especially when transporting by boat or plane. In all seasons, Ricqlès mint alcohol helps to tone the body that is sometimes subject to troubles or discomfort. Both its unique flavor and its formulation have remained unchanged since the product was created in 1838.

www.ballot-flurin.com/baume-de-soin-des-pyrenees.html#/29-contenance-7_ml

This is fantastic, for lips, scars, dry skin etc

www.powersante.com/cicabiafine-baume-multi-reparateur-apaisant-peaux-abimees-a-cicatrices-flacon-eco-concu-50ml.html
This is a good whole body cream

www.cicatryl-gamme.fr/cicatryl-creme?gclid=CjwKCAjwrqqSBhBbEiwAlQeqGgOxZzlytB6xeQLOps1wcFFuabu-K2Zygy1mn-2DzoxwIYlakfQoFxoC-9AQAvD_BwE#page-title

This is individual pouches of cream for cuts and burns that disinfects and helps with scarring.

Aderma is a brand I find really good

www.mon-pharmacien-conseil.com/fr/recherche?controller=search&orderby=position&orderway=desc&s=aderma&page=2

Bourjois make up and Klorane hair products!

caudalie
bourjois makeup
le roche posay

have some chocolate for me!

Lierac moisturiser. You can get it online in UK but it's cheaper in France and it's really good

Thank you for some great recommendations! I like Caudalie stuff, so hoping it's a bit cheaper in France. And Lierac I've actually heard good thing about too.

Definitely having a nose about at Carrefour and stocking up on a few things. Feel sorry for husband who'll have to wheel the huge suitcase of soap, moisturiser and wine home

Klorane dry shampoo for sure, so much cheaper! Cattier clay masks. I always end up getting lots of travel size things. Le Petit Marseillais soap from the supermarket. I also love Sanoflore products.

City Pharma is the cheapest and best range but it's crazy crazy with tourists and every time I've gone I've ended up giving up because it's just too busy! I always end up at the one on Rue d'archives which is good, and the big one at Les Halles looks amazing so will definitely try that next time!

Embryolisse concentrated milk moisturiser. Boots used to stock it but they don't any more, plus it's way cheaper over there.

I stock up on the Uriage micellar water.