Some of the best skincare I own came from a farmacia counter, not a luxury beauty floor. European pharmacy brands focus on barrier support, tolerance, and textures you actually want to use every day. Living in Madrid gives me a front-row seat. Sadly, many of the winners are sold only in Europe. So I tell you which ones are worth tracking down on your next trip abroad.
This is where I review all of it: French, Spanish, German, and Italian pharmacy staples, cult classics, and the hidden gems that rarely make it to the US.
New to European pharmacy skincare? Start with the finds you can’t easily get in the US.
Curious how formulas change across borders? See why NIVEA Creme made in Germany is better than the US version.
Avène just added Hydrating Serum to their Hydrance Optimale range, proving that booster serums are indeed all the rage this season. Blessed with 77% of their signature Thermal Spring Water and two novel active delivery systems, it is a skincare…
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In the beginning there was a bar of soap. Today, however, the traditional soap bar gets a bad rep as a drying and archaic cleansing agent. With countless offers ranging from simple fragrance free to the most sophisticated and elegant…
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Whether you’re on location or don’t know your location, you’re a pro, on the go or simply have had one too many, you’ll still feel best with a clean face. Sink and faucet may appear hazardous and intimidating. Boy have…
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On long summer days, fixing your face midday, post workout, or pre happy hour can be challenging. Whether you need to refresh, soothe, or rejuvenate there is a mist for that! Having tried dozens, I picked seven that help to…
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Every beauty editor and blogger has covered the French pharmacy must-haves at one time or another. I needed hard facts before my trip this week and decided to resurrect a Goop newsletter from 2011 on the topic. My girl Gwyneth…
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Why is Embryolisse so iconic Embryolisse was founded in 1950 by a dermatologist studying skin pathologies at a Paris hospital. That backstory matters. It explains why their formulas feel less like cosmetics and more like skin treatments. A friend with…
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There are at least three reasons I favor Caudalíe in the prestige beauty market. One: the products work. Two: the line is inspired by a vineyard and fueled by the healing power of wine. Three: the founder, Mathilde Thomas believes…
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