Pharmacy shopping in Paris

Admin
Jul 20
4 min read

The world recognizes that most French women prefer natural beauty... But what's the secret behind such well-cared-for, almost makeup-free skin? Care... Yes, dedication to the body, from a very young age. A body care routine is part of French custom, both internally (food) and externally (cosmetics and perfumes).

French women don't wait for age to "catch up" or for the first wrinkles to appear before trying to "erase" them. They're adepts of the "prevention is better than cure" philosophy. I have the impression that, for them, basic beauty routines, like cleansing and moisturizing their face and body, are a pleasurable necessity...

It's no wonder that French cosmetics are so famous, and that many are considered the best in the world. Products that are quite expensive and often beyond our budget are sold at very affordable prices in pharmacies there.

In Paris, two are well-known among locals and tourists alike for having the best prices, a wide variety of products, and staff who speak several languages, including Portuguese. For me, these are must-visits: Pharmacie Monge and Citypharma Du Four Bonaparte . I also make sure to visit Parfumerie Monge, located across from the pharmacy, to browse the makeup and perfumes.

But be patient, as they're almost always full. And bring a little extra cash, because the shelves are breathtaking even for the least shopaholic. Not to mention the sales and travel sizes. Oh... I love it! 😍

Both offer détaxe, a tax discount that's very easy to obtain; just ask at the pharmacy and present it at customs before boarding.

I confess that it would be impossible to know all the brands and the advantages of each one, but I will share with you the ones I use and really like:

I always buy La Roche-Posay and Avène. For example, Cleanance Gel, which costs around €6.99 here.

The lip balm (Avène) in stick form, you pay 5.99 Euros for two units.

I use Cicaplast Baume B5 a lot, which regenerates skin, relieves burns, diaper rash, and dry lips. It's also used by those undergoing dermatological procedures like peels and by those who get tattoos. In short, it has a thousand uses. I always have it at home and never travel without it.

Brands like Vichy, Bioderma, Weleda (especially the oils), and Galénic are also common on my counter. All of these products, if stored properly, last a long time.

Bioderma's Créaline makeup remover is famous here and around the world. I use the makeup remover wipes, which are also wonderful. Plus, the prices there are much more affordable, so I take advantage of the opportunity.

Klorane and John Frieda are brands with wonderful hair products. Klorane's dry shampoo is very good and helps a lot on those "bad hair days." As for Eucerin, I like the fragrance-free gel and creams, which are gentle on the skin and preserve its natural defenses.

NUXE is passion... Makeup remover, hand and foot creams, lip balm, shower gels... They're all wonderfully high-quality. The NUXE men's products are also delicious.

This is a French brand much loved by women. Huile Prodigieuse dry oil is the brand's best-selling item in pharmacies there. Because it's multipurpose, it can be used on hair and the entire body. The scent... 😍

It's made with natural ingredients, vegetable oils, and vitamin E; it's free of preservatives, silicone, and mineral oil. It absorbs quickly and can be used with your foundation or mixed with your body moisturizer. But don't overdo it: less is more. Just two drops works wonders!

Huile Prodigieuse Or, which has shiny mother-of-pearl particles and is also wonderful, can be used on the ends of the hair and to brighten the skin (after the beach it's great because it helps to set the tan and prevent the skin from peeling), with the advantage of also being a dry oil.

I also really appreciate Caudalie products, which doesn't use raw materials of animal origin in its products, doesn't test on animals, and is also committed to preserving the environment. The main active ingredients come from vines grown in the Bordeaux, Champagne, and Burgundy regions.

The brand's oil, "Huile Divine," is a bestseller (you can tell I'm an oil fan, right?). Besides moisturizing hair and body, it also gives us a delicious scent. It can be used after sun exposure, and because it's "dry," its texture absorbs quickly.

I used and approved the hand and nail cream...

The brand's "Eau de Beauté," the Beauty Water, which reduces the appearance of open pores, refreshes and can be used before or after makeup, is very popular and can be used in place of thermal water.

Roger&Gallet's liquid soaps and colognes are delicious. And at Monge, the price is always special.

I try to take advantage of gift sets, which are pre-assembled kits, and travel sizes, which are always great prices. They usually come in cute packaging and are great for those who want to try a new product, take it on trips, or give as gifts.

I haven't mentioned the free samples yet... 😮

Important tip

Don't forget to bring your passport!

The tax deduction (12%, if I'm not mistaken), the détaxe, is given at the time of purchase (for purchases over a certain amount, something like a hundred or so euros), in the confidence that the buyer won't forget to deposit the envelope in the designated drop box at the airport. If they forget, they pay later with their credit card...

Pharmacie Monge

www.pharmacie-monge.fr

74, rue Monge 75005

Metro: Place Monge (7)