The Souvenir: French Pharmacy Finds

Every summer—well, actually, every time I’m in France for any length of time—I make a special trip to the pharmacy. I make it very clear that this is going to be a long visit—not a run-in-and-pick-something-up situation. I tell Matt, just come when I text you, and I spend a blissful hour or so just looking at every single thing. On our recent visit, Clara and I picked up the above. From top left clockwise: 

I bought the Cicaplast Gel because I have such sensitive skin, and any kind of laser treatment can activate some secret underlying rosacea I didn’t know existed. Cicaplast helps fix that up so fast.

I needed a new sunscreen—the one that I got in New York was feeling too tacky/sticky, and this Bioderma goes on very smooth and transparently. I’ll give it the real try in Greece later this month. 

This tiny La Roche Posay 50 SPF is so cute and can always live in my purse. You may say you can get it in the US, but I’d say they allow a lot of bad ingredients in the products they produce for the States, and I’d rather buy it here. Also, it’s cheaper!

The Crème Apaisante is excellent for bug bites—a natural itch reliever. Onctose, an OTC hydrocortisone, is a more heavy duty version of the same thing.

We saw the ad for the SVR serum on our way into the pharmacy, which promoted that it helps with bumpy skin. Clara bought it, and within one use she saw a difference. A week later, and she can’t believe how good it is.

Avène face wash, just because I need a super gentle face wash and I didn’t feel like decanting for our trip to Greece.

Chocho bite stick: We first discovered the bite zapper when our friends from Austria were using it on vacation with us. It essentially heats up the bite and destroys the enzyme that causes the itch. This is a new version, and uses a USB, not batteries.

Avène moisturizer: I bought this on a whim–I wanted a new moisturizer, and I also wanted one that had SPF in it. I figured this was worth a try. On first use, I fell in love—my skin is so soft, it doesn’t feel dry, and it makes me look more dewy. Now I wish I’d bought three.

Cinq sur Cinq insect repellant in roll-on form. It fits in a dopp kit and is easy to travel with, and it WORKS!!!