Current:Home > ScamsFrench pharmacies are all the rage on TikTok. Here's what you should be buying. -MoneyStream
French pharmacies are all the rage on TikTok. Here's what you should be buying.
View
Date:2025-04-15 02:42:58
Long before Americans began flocking to Paris for the Olympics they came in droves for another coveted experience: To shop at French pharmacies.
Perched underneath flashing green medical crosses sit pharmacies and parapharmacies. While pharmacies offer prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, parapharmacies offer all that and more.
When visitors go inside a parapharmacie they're greeted by walls packed to the ceiling with skincare, haircare, sunscreen and more in addition to the standard items like bandaids and vitamins. In many ways they're like a CVS or Duane Reade, but with French products.
Visitors who aren't familiar with French brands like Caudalie and Avéne may find themselves feeling like a kid in a candy store, with too many options to choose from.
Tessa Bicard, the Head of U.S. Operations for French skincare brand Typology and content creator under the username @madame.tartempion, says that the French take their skincare extremely seriously and often use it as a substitute for makeup.
"French girl skincare or like a French makeup look tends to be a little bit more minimalist than an American look, and I can say this as an American who's lived in Paris for awhile now," Bicard said.
This is, in part, because French skincare is formulated differently than in the U.S. Even if the same product can be found stateside, the formulation is likely different. Bicard says this is because France maintains high standards for what brands can use in products while still keeping the products affordable.
"If you're buying it in Europe, if you're buying it in France, you know you're getting the original French formula," she said.
If you're lucky enough to stop by a parapharmacie, here are the products that Bicard recommends you buy:
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Baume: Aids with super dry or dehydrated skin
- Avéne Cleanance: Cleansing gel that's meant for acne-prone skin
- Bioderma Créaline H20: Micellar water can be used to wash your face as a substitute to normal faucet water
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Sunscreen: Sheer and lightweight this can be used on just your face or your body
- Caudalie Eau de Beauté: Refreshing beauty spray with green grape, rose and rosemary oils
- Typology Shimmering Dry Oil: Body oil formulated with Vitamin C and essential oils that gives a bit of shine
- Typology Tinted Lip Oil: Different shades hydrate and color lips with jojoba oil and Vitamin E
veryGood! (43849)
Related
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Two groups appeal the selection of new offshore wind projects for New Jersey, citing cost
- What are the odds in the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight? What Tyson's last fight tells us
- Jake Paul, 27, to fight 57-year-old Mike Tyson live on Netflix: Time to put Iron Mike to sleep
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- New Jersey men charged in Hudson River boating accident that killed 2 passengers
- This grandma lost her grip when her granddaughter returned from the Army
- 'Inside Out 2' trailer adds new emotions from Envy to Embarrassment. See the new cast
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Friday is the last day US consumers can place mail orders for free COVID tests from the government
Ranking
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Jennifer Hudson, Barry Manilow mourn death of 'American Idol' vocal coach Debra Byrd
- How does daylight saving time work in March? What to know about time changes as we prepare to spring forward.
- Former US Rep. George Santos, expelled from Congress, says he is running again
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Remains of California Navy sailor killed in Pearl Harbor attack identified
- Rep. Ronny Jackson was demoted by Navy following investigation into his time as White House physician
- Women’s mini-tour in Florida changes to female-at-birth policy
Recommendation
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
Former US Rep. George Santos, expelled from Congress, says he is running again
They had a loving marriage and their sex life was great. Here's why they started swinging.
Avoid sargassum seaweed, algal blooms on Florida beaches in spring with water quality maps
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Find Out Who Won The Traitors Season 2
Halle Bailey tearfully calls out invasive baby rumors: 'I had no obligation to expose him'
Who is attending the State of the Union? Here are notable guests for Biden's 2024 address