22 French Pharmacy Products That People Actually Swear By
And you can order them all online (no passport needed).
We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication. The products in this post were updated in March, 2017.
1. Eau Thermale Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel, to get your face and body clean without using soap.
Promising Review: "I've been using this product for more than a year and the results are great! Excellent choice to control skin oiliness." —Daniel S. Cavallo
Get it on Amazon for $12+. Available in three sizes
2. NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Or Multi-Purpose Dry Oil, to help nourish your face, body, and hair while also giving you a perfectly golden shimmer.
Promising Review: "I can’t get enough of the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, and especially this variety. The golden shimmer is perfect to highlight skin or accentuate a tan. The product itself both softens skin and hydrates it. Ideal for summer or winter with no irritating orange or brown streaks on clothing or skin. A soft golden shimmer effect, rather than 'disco sparkle'. Just gorgeous." —beautyexpert.com customer
Get it from Beauty Expert for $24.
3. Eau Thermale Avène Mineral Light SPF 50 Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion, for superb sun protection -- even if you have sensitive skin.
Get it on Amazon for $36.
4. Avene Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream, to restore fragile skin and nourish a hydrated complexion.
Promising Review: "Incredible moisturizing properties. The best I have ever used. The product is from Europe and has thermal Avene water as a base. The cream creates an incredible barrier against the elements." —customer review
Get it from Dermstore for $28.
5. Bioderma Sensibio h20 Micelle Water, to remove all your makeup gently and easily without water.
Promising Review: "Our FAVORITE make up remover! Works like a charm! Highly recommend this product!" —TheGreen's
Get it on Amazon for $10.36.
6. Klorane Dry Shampoo, to clean your hair without the use of water.
Promising Review: "I'm currently on my third or fourth bottle of this dry shampoo, and that's over the course of nearly two years; it lasts a very long time. I use it two or three times a week to revive my hairstyle or avoid having to wet my hair. It works all day to combat grease and truly makes my hair look clean." —GorgonGirl
Get it on Amazon for $20. Also available in a non-aerosol spray.
7. La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur, to help cover blemishes and even out your skin.
8. Fluocaril Whitening Toothpaste, to get minty fresh breath for all your French kisses.
Promising Review: "Very good toothpaste! First used it while visiting Paris. The taste is very good and your mouth feels really fresh." —Paul A Barnes
Get it on Amazon for $15.19.
9. Embryolisse Concentrated Lait Cream, to get baby soft skin regardless of your age.
Promising Review: "As a French citizen, now living in North America, I have been using Embryolisse Crème and Lait Hydratant for at least 45 years. My mother, a pharmacist in a French ski resort, used it before me and sold it in her pharmacy until she retired and passed away at 102 years old. She kept her baby skin until the end. I did not know that you could find Embryolisse in North America. For 25 years I've been filling my suitcases with Embryolisse each time I go back to France and I never missed an opportunity to ask our friends to bring back some when they were flying back from Europe." —Patrick Wahle
Get it on Amazon starting at $24.89.
10. Eau Thermale Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray, for water that's been clinically shown to soothe, soften, and calm skin.
Promising Review: "I look and feel RIDICULOUS spritzing my face all day. I mean, in the middle of talking, I will take a break just to spritz my face with expensive water in an aerosol can. But it's so refreshing and cooling and obviously, quite addictive. This also nicely sets your makeup with a light spritz in the morning if you don't want to look all powdery. The spray of clean, purified moisture is always pleasant and the spray is extremely fine — just enough to get a dewy. Hold on... SPRITZ! Look and feel your face. Ridiculous!" —Grace
Get it on Amazon for $18.50.
11. Bioderma Hydrabio Serum, designed with a patented technology that helps retrain your skin to self moisturize.
12. Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion, to give baby and mom the softest skin possible.
Promising Review: "I discovered this lotion when my daughter-in-law used it on my grandson. It has a wonderful European fragrance that reminds me a little of the classic German fragrance 4711. I keep it on my desk at work to get a little whiff of my grandson — a real pick-me-up on those grueling long days." —Lucy
Get it on Amazon for $16.
13. Roge Cavailles Extra-Mild Superfatted Soap, to get a gentle clean from a very rich soap.
14. Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Spa Water, to get face water straight from a French volcano.
15. Caudalie Lip Conditioner, made with grape-derived antioxidants and shea butter to condition lips and repair chapped skin.
Promising Review: "I originally purchased this two years ago at a Pharmacia en France because my lips were so dried out from all the air conditioning, sun, and airplane travel. I've been using it ever since. It's the best for hydrating your lips. Keeps nice in its twist up tube and a little goes a long way. No waxy feel, only smooth creamy moisture and kissable lips!" —Rodney
Get it from Amazon for $9.97.
16. PHYTO Phytodéfrisant Botanical Straightening Balm, to help manage your frizzy hair.
Promising Review: "Works great on Italian frizzy and wavy hair in Deep South Louisiana humidity. Just a dab on wet hair, comb through, and blow dry!!" —Edward J. Held
Get it on Amazon for $30.
17. Caudalie Beauty Elixir, to help tighten your pores and give your skin with an instant glow.
Promising Review: "They say the women in France are hooked on this stuff! I see why. I spray it on and it instantly hydrates and awakens my skin. I look great all day. I am in my 50's with mature, dry skin that is dull. Excuse me, used to be dull! Love, love, love this stuff!!" —Scott
Get it from Amazon for $18+. Available in two sizes.
18. Aderma Epitheliale A.H Skin Repair Cream, to help soothe and repair damaged skin.
Get it on Amazon for $33.49.
19. Pureté Thermale 3-in-1 Cleansing Micellar Water, to get a face wash, toner, and makeup remover in one gentle formula.
Promising Review: "This is amazing stuff. I discovered this when I had neck surgery and needed a way to wash my face without bending over a sink. It does a wonderful job of removing all my makeup and leaves a nice fresh feel without making a mess. I used it several times a day while in the hospital to freshen up. I gifted some to a friend after she had surgery and she fell in love. There is now a drugstore knock off on the market, save your money and buy the Vichy." —Amazon Customer
Get it on Amazon starting at $14.49.
20. Le Petit Marseillais Lait Body Wash, to gently nourish and hydrate your skin in the shower.
Promising Review: “This is amazing body wash! I love the scent that lingers long after the bath. I always stock up when visiting France.” —Montessahall
Get it on Amazon for $7.39. Available in a variety of scents.
21. Caudalie Polyphenol C15 serum, to renew and protect overworked skin.
Promising Review: "I really like this serum. I use this at night and in the morning my skin is soft and bright. It goes on like a cream, so it's not sticky on your skin. Even my husband has noticed a difference. I exfoliate my face and I use this serum at night. It helps to fade my spots on my face." —mluz
Get it on Amazon for $45.89.
22. Cicabiafine Intense Repair Hands Cream, to give you that super soft touch.
Promising Review: "I first picked this up at a pharmacy in Paris. I immediately loved the smell (not overpowering but really nice). I can't stand products that have too much perfume or long-lingering scents. It's such a nice consistency, soaks in quickly, not greasy feeling, and really keeps hands soft and nice looking all day. I've even got my mother-in-law hooked on this now too!" —Marie
Get it on Amazon for $19.18.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.