The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps
“How is it to travel around France with children?” I asked a friend who had lived in France. “Paris is not really a kid-friendly city. It’s hard to push a stroller around because there are many steps and squeezy small restaurants,” she advised. I was …
Paris is the world’s fashion capital. Many are also familiar with major French fashion brands, such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Dior. So clothes, accessories, bags, and even vintage clothes are some of the things to buy in Paris. Of course, there are other things …
The French beauty routine. The French women’s natural beauty. You have heard about them and want to age gracefully too. Is the transforming magic in French skincare products? Since you are in France, it’s your chance to find out if these products do wonders for your face (at a lower price tag). Search out these beauty products in French Pharmacies
Moreover, if you love to scour through Japan’s drugstores for beauty products, you can find a similar experience at these pharmacies. However, it is harder to spot these pharmacies with beauty products in France than the drugstores in Japan. So do your research and plan your route in advance!
Jump to the relevant section:
Related Posts:
There are many pharmacies in France, easily spotted with their neon green crosses sticking out to illuminate the streets. I went on a wild goose search for La Roche-Posay and Clarins, only to find out that not all pharmacies carry beauty products.
There is the traditional “pharmacie” where people get medical advice and prescriptions and even take ART tests. Then there is the “para-pharmacie” where you find dermatology products to help one maintain healthy skin. So this is the pharmacy to go to if your purpose is to score some affordable beauty products. Apparently, most Parisians head here instead of beauty counters for the wide range of brands, prices and advice from well-trained pharmacists.
Citypharma and Pharmacie Monge are the two big para-pharmacies to check out. An article on myfrenchlife.org has good information on these two shops. Other shops/pharmacies to buy French beauty products include Galeries Lafayette, Pharmacie des Archives, and Grande Pharmacie Bailly (not the one in 16th arrondissement).
The one I went to and had good buys is Citypharma near Saint Germain des Près metro.
Pharmacy Monge Notre Dame is smaller and less crowded than Citypharma but has longer opening hours on the days it is opened. Apparently, it’s popular among Koreans because of a blogger’s recommendation.
Pharmacies might overwhelm you with its myraid of brands and crowd. Hence, it’s best to go in knowing what you want. Do you your research in advance instead of googling them at the shop.
To help you kickstart the process, read on for the list and introduction of the more popular brands of beauty products in French Pharmacies, such as Caudalie, La Roch-Posay, and Avène. Most of the brands are surprisingly also available in Singapore’s pharmacies – Guardian and Watsons. I only knew that about La Roch-Posay and Avène because of their prominent presence on the shelves.
Also to help you navigate through the French descriptions, you can refer to this sheet of common skincare vocabulary from insidr.co — English and Mandarin.
Avène thermal spring water comes from the Sainte-Odile Spring, South of France. By 1847, this water is known for its soothing properties to treat skin concerns. It is thus declared by the French government to be a “public benefit” and the French Healthcare System reimbursed Avène Hydrotherapy Center. In 1966, this center was purchased by Pierre Fabre Laboratories, the second largest private pharmaceutical company in France today. (Source: www.aveneusa.com/history)
Avène Thermal Spring Water then became the key natural ingredient in the products of Avène (Singapore).
Popular Product: Thermal Spring Water Spray
Bioderma Laboratories, according to Wikipedia, is a privately owned French pharmaceutical company that specialises in medication for dermatological and hair or scalp conditions among others. It is founded in 1977, in Aix en Provence (France) where its headquarters still resides.
Popular Product: Micellar water
Caudalie was founded in 1995 by Mathilde Thomas. It is a cult brand known for using vinotherapy techniques in its skincare products. Wikipedia describes Vinotherapy as a beauty therapy process where the residue of wine making (the pips and pulp) are rubbed into the skin. The pulp is claimed to have exfoliating qualities and reduce signs of ageing.
Popular Products: Vinoperfect Serum, Beauty Elixir (Face Mist)
Embryolisse was founded in 1950 by a dermatologist in Saint Louis hospital, Paris. They use natural ingredients in their products — shea butter, beeswax, aloe vera and soy proteins, expertly extracted from organic flora and fauna. Lait-Crème Concentré can be used as a daily moisturiser for face and body, make up primer or make up remover, or aftershave to soothe irritated skin. Good for all skin types and the whole family – man, woman, and children.
For those in Singapore, you can sign up for a trial kit.
Popular Product: Lait-Crème Concentré (all-purpose cream)
Klorane was created in 1965 by the founder’s passion for plants and his belief in their health and beauty benefits. Later in 1971, Klorane developed the first dry shampoo on the market and it has since been a popular product. It was intended for new mothers who just gave birth.
Popular Product: Dry Shampoo
La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique is founded in 1975 to develop skincare products using thermal spring water from the town of La Roche-Posay. Later the company is acquired by L’Oréal in 2018.
Back in 2006, the company revolutionized the sunscreen market with Mexoryl SX™, the only sun filter in a sunscreen formula to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Two years later, the company combined sun filters with antioxidants which protect the skin from free radicals caused by the sun and known to accelerate skin aging.
A beautician recommended me La Roch Posay products, specifically the serums, for my dry skin. It’s quite an affordable range especially when there are discounts in Guardian and Watsons. So when I found out it’s a French brand, I searched for it in Paris, along with Clarins.
I was excited to see the racks of La Roche-Posay products at CityPharma, especially when the serums sold at the the pharmacy are so much cheaper than those in Singapore. I also bought sunscreens and Eau Thermal spray for myself and the girls. Yeap, the spray is children-friendly. Perhaps I should try its strong competitor, Avène, the next time.
Popular Product: Thermal Spring Water Spray, Serums and Sunscreen
Nuxe is a French brand founded by Aliza Jabès and a pioneer in natural-origin cosmetology. Each skincare product is formulated and manufactured in France to meet pharmaceutical quality requirements. Its popular Huile Prodigieuse® is a botanical oil that can nourish and repair the face, body and hair in a single step. It’s lightly fragranced too. Other than Watsons, you can find it at Tangs Singapore too.
Popular Product: Huile Prodigieuse
Vichy Laboratoires was founded in 1931 by Dr Haller, the first medical practitioner to make the link between health and beauty, laying the foundations of French dermo-cosmetics. The brand is currently owned by L’Oréal. Vichy Mineralizing Water is from the preserved region of Auvergne volcanoes in France, and is the key ingredient in Vichy skincare products.
Popular Product: Daily hyaluronic acid serum
I prefer buying brands I can find in Singapore, so if I like them, I can continue using them. Of course with the world as a shopping mall, you can probably get them online too. So if you like to try products that’s hard to find in Singapore, here are a few suggestions: Biotherm, Darphin, Payot and Filorga.
There’s one particular product that came up quite often in my research for this post, and I believe it’s worth a buy in France: Biafine Emulsion tube cream (93g/186g) .
The cream heals burns, sunburns, cuts, abrasions and even mosquito bites! It can also soothe irritated skin, just not to be used every day as a moisturiser. I’ve read that this tube is a pharmacy staple for many French households and rumoured to heal the skin in half the time. The big tube is about €5 in a French pharmacy, while highly marked up elsewhere in the world.
This French Skincare brand was founded by Jacques Courtin-Clarins in Paris during the 1950s. In 1968, Clarins was the first brand to begin selling 100% pure plant extracts, like its Tonic Body Treatment Oil, in perfume stores. More of Clarins history on their website.
I first tried Clarins products during my first pregnancy. I like putting their Tonic Body Treatment Oil on my pregnant body but I am not sure how effective it is though. It just made me feel good. Thereafter, I tried other products of Clarins. I love their sunscreen that comes with a pink tint. It doubles up as a foundation and made my face glow during my run-errands-without-make-up days. Another product I was on the lookout for is Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser. Nice smell, though slightly drying. Based on online reviews, this is either a hit or a miss.
Btw, this is not a paid review!
I’m trying to convince you to purchase a Clarins product or two since you are in the brand’s homeland, Paris. Like how I bought Hydra-Essentiel Cream to try because of a good deal in Paris. I like it, although some may find it thick.
However, be sure to compare the product prices with Clarins Singapore. Surprisingly, prices in France are not necessarily cheaper than the promotional prices of Clarins Singapore. Perhaps, there weren’t any good deals when I was in Paris. Of course, if the prices are comparable, a tax refund will make the buys in France more enticing.
I searched all around Paris, even pharmacies, and finally found “discounted” Clarins at Nocibé. It is a chain shop which carries big perfume and cosmetic brands. Otherwise, you can visit Clarin’s outlet shop at La Vallee Village (near Disney and our Airbnb). Or look out for seasonal promotions in Clarins boutiques found at shopping malls and the airport.
My hubby retraced his steps back to Citypharma after I realised we could get a tax refund and needed to process it at the shop on the same day. So remember to fill up the tax refund form before you leave the shop. And bring your passport out on shopping days!
Who is eligible for Tax-Free Shopping?
What should you do to get a tax refund?
For more information: www.douane.gouv.fr/fiche/eligibility-vat-refunds-pablo and www.globalblue.com/tax-free-shopping/france/#refund-points
Looking for more tips on travel, home, and baby? Subscribe to my mailing list and be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube! If you like what you read here, keep it going with a small support too. :)
Disclaimer: JoogoStyle and Christina accepts no liability (whether in tort or contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any use, misuse, inaccuracy or omission of the information or other contents published on this website.
Paris was okay, my friend said, I like (insert another European country) better. Other lukewarm responses came from family and friends who had visited Paris. We heard things about the French people too, especially their attitude towards the Chinese race. According to a friend who …
Family and friends generously dish out tips on being safe in Paris, such as how to spot suspicious characters, or how to guard our belongings against pickpockets. Over the years, I have also heard a fair share of horror stories about Europe. So before a …
“What’s your favourite food in Paris?” I asked the family.
My husband and I voted Falafelat L’As du Fallafel unanimously. The runner-up for me is the burger we had at Alfred (Chessy Val D’Europe), it’s good, but we can find such quality in Singapore too.
While our second daughter (“J”) mentioned croissants as a favourite, our eldest daughter (“E”) answered, “The long bread with cheese.” I went through my mental files. It must be the cold long bread she had at Disneyland Paris. Wait, or was it one of those breads we had to go on our train rides or “backup” dinners?
Food in France was a bit of a struggle for us. Thus, bakeries become our backup plan if there are no nearby food places to settle our meals. In some areas, we could find bakeries more easily than food places. Once, we couldn’t find any eating places around, and the only one around looked expensive and unappetising. After a long, fruitless walk down the street, we decided to head over to our Airbnb neighbourhood to grab food for our tired and hungry selves.
From the bakery, we tried croissants, sandwiches, cheese on bread, and others. Yet, we didn’t buy baguettes! *Gasp* I know, I know, but they looked unappealing to hubby – the baguettes were mostly tucked in a “hidden” corner of the bakeries and seemingly left forgotten. Eh, wait, we did try it once at Disneyland! The long cheese bread Grace liked.
I learned from lacuisineparis.com that to find good loaves of bread, look for the word Boulangerie. French law dictates that to use this word, the bread must be made completely onsite, not even from pre-prepared ingredients. That said, no matter how good the bread is, I felt it’s more of a breakfast food. Bread occasionally for lunch and dinner is fine, but too many times, and I felt like we were not having proper meals.
Also, why is cold food still served in winter? Food was generally not heated up to serve warm, like sandwiches or that memorable chilling time in Strasbourg. My fingers were turning into ice, and I was looking forward to hot food to warm my body – you know, like how a hotpot would in winter? My Asian mind assumed the food would be served hot, and so I didn’t ask about the menu before ordering. Mistake, we got cold chicken sandwiches. Warm apple juice was the saving grace. Good thing, hubby had his warm red wine in the Christmas market before that and left this cup for us to share.
Back in Paris, we turned to trusty hot Asian food, an expensive bowl of Vietnamese Pho at Dat Viet to warm me up. Their chicken rice and crispy spring rolls were good too. We also missed Chinese food and even went to a high-priced caifan eatery, which is literally called “Asian Food”. The food was surprisingly good, and it cured our homesick taste buds.
We enjoyed delicious Middle Eastern cuisine in Paris, too. Berliner Das Original served delicious kebabs despite being a chain. We went to the branch near our Airbnb. We also went to this recommended eatery/tourist spot, L’As du Fallafel, and ordered their signature Falafel (deep-fried ball or patty-shaped fritter). I am not adventurous with food and was not sure if I would eat them, but boy, they were so good that I wanted to return for them. Joy (less than 2 years old then) devoured them too.
The food prices in Paris were surprisingly comparable to those in Singapore if we consider a 1-1 dollar exchange. Of course, prices in Michelin restaurants are high, as they would be in Singapore. We didn’t try any Michelin restaurant because we were not confident about bringing along our two boisterous girls.
We did, however, try out the nice restaurants here and there, such as Léon de Bruxelles in Champs-Élysées. It’s a franchise apparently set up by a Belgian restaurateur family who has run an over-100-year-old Brussels restaurant in Chez Léon. It is known for moules-frites, a main dish comprising mussels and French fries. We got that and mussels with spaghetti, and it’s worth a visit! See how Grace slurped the mussels in the photo above.
Another nice sit-down was at La Crème de Paris (Notre-dame) – skip the savoury but try out the sweet crepe if you are around the area. We had initially wanted to have lunch at Shiso Burger, which was nearby. But the queue at Shiso was insanely long, and we were hungry, and the narrow pathway and stairs are definitely not stroller-friendly.
Speaking of sweets, how could I not mention the desserts of Paris? I usually stay away from macaroons because they are too sweet for me. The ones in Paris changed my mind, particularly those from Pierre Hermé. Try their cakes too!
Have you tried those mentioned above? Or are there other foods in Paris you recommend? Leave your reviews and suggestions in the comments box below. Love to hear from you. :)
Before you go, you might want to check out my other posts on Paris and Europe. Leave your comments or questions below. Love to hear from you. :)
Looking for more tips on travel, home, and baby? Subscribe to my mailing list and follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube! If you like what you read here, keep it going with a small support too. :)
Disclaimer: JoogoStyle and Christina accepts no liability (whether in tort or contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any use, misuse, inaccuracy or omission of the information or other contents published on this website.
Towards the end of 2021, more and more countries were added to Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane (“VTL”) scheme. HOORAY! After two years of being contained in Singapore, the travel bug in me was bursting to fly out! At the same time, I was apprehensive. People …
The travel advisories kept changing. Our minds were divided on which VTL country to go to. By the time we decided on France, we only had 2.5 weeks to our departure. Accommodation options were limited because tourism was still very much active in that part …