French souvenir shops are certainly cute. But if you’re even mildly skincare obsessed, you already know the real French flex isn’t a beret: it’s a pharmacy bag heavy enough to count as hand luggage.

TikTok has helped turn French pharmacy shopping into a travel ritual, with #frenchpharmacy reaching more than 130 million views. In Paris, the best known is Citypharma – the kind of place you can get lost in, even if you swear you’re just grabbing sunscreen. This multilevel pharmacy is known for deep discounts and a wide choice, but French pharmacy shopping isn’t a one-address experience: you’ll find most of these staples in local pharmacies across the country.

Part of the appeal is cultural: French dermo-cosmetics are built around sensitive skin and barrier repair, with brands that lean into soothing, functional formulas instead of hype. The other part is regulatory: EU cosmetics rules include an official list of substances prohibited in cosmetics, which helps explain why French pharmacy staples have a reputation for being conservative but reliably effective.

So if you’re heading to France, here’s what’s actually worth picking up, so you don’t end up panic-buying 12 micellar waters on instinct.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+

Think of this as a barrier-support balm for the days your skin feels dry, tight or reactive. Formulated with panthenol (vitamin B5) for comfort, and madecassoside (derived from the plant Centella asiatica) to help calm visible irritation, it can be used as a moisturiser or a targeted patch on stressed areas.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O

The micellar water people buy on repeat. Offers quick make-up removal and cleansing without a scrubby, over-stripped feeling. The purified water’s micelles attract oil, so you can swipe off sunscreen and make-up with minimal friction – especially helpful if your skin gets irritated easily.

A313 Vitamin A Pommade