There are two things on every corner in France: a bakery or a pharmacy.

Clearly staples of daily life in France.

When I pack for my long flight to France, I’ve stopped trying to pack toiletries. I normally just walk around the corner to a pharmacy and repurchase my essentials.

When you enter and are greeted, I recommend letting someone assist you.

The associates sporting white coats take their jobs very seriously. Think: closer to a pharmacist than a sales representative, they probably know your skin-type better than you do.

Wanderlust?    Here’s $40 on Airbnb

If you are state-side

I’ve included links to where you can find these gems online or in-stores at Target, CVS, Walgreens, Sephora, or Ulta.

J’ai tombé amoureuse de la marque Caudalie.

I’ve fallen in love with the Caudalie brand. We’ve been together since I studied abroad at l’Université

de Bordeaux a few years ago and I just haven’t found any other skincare company that compares.

Caudalie products are free of parabens, phenoxyethanol, mineral oil, artificial colorings or sodium laureth sulfate. No ingredients of animal origin are used, products are not tested on animals and a maximum of natural active ingredients can be found in all products. YES!YES!YES!

Please read the beautiful story behind the brand HERE. To summarize, it was started in the vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux by Mathilde & Bertrand Thomas. They had the guidance of Prof. Vercauteren from the University of Pharmacy, Bordeaux, the leading expert on grape and grapevine polyphenols and their amazing anti-oxidants.

I’ve included my basic essentials, but I want to start investing in their legendary anti-aging products.

Créme Sorbet Hydrant / Moisturizing Sorbet

This gel-cream hydrates, soothes, and softens all skin types—even the hypersensitive ones. It has Caudalie’s organic grape water and patented grape-seed polyphenols, this cream not only provides hydration, but it also protects the skin from free-radicals, which causes wrinkles. This formula is rich in Vinolevure® to strengthen skin to become less sensitive and more resilient over time.

Eau Micellaire Démaquillante / Micellaire Water

This micellar water traps dirt, oil, and makeup to gently cleanse your complexion. French girls love micellaire waters becaue they cleanse without drying out the skin. There is a fragrance: orange + lemon blossom, watermelon, & mint leaves, which is pleasant.

Eau de Beauté/ Beauty Elixir

Facial mists are pure luxury. This one immediately makes you feeling refreshed and even preps and sets makeup. The complexion treatment reduces dullness and is infused with toning rosemary, astringent mint, and soothing rose essential oil to prepare your skin for further treatments.

Soin des lèvres / Lip Balm

This balm is packed with moisturizing active ingredients and antioxidant grape polyphenols. Apricot oil even helps repair chapped skin. In the dead of European winter, I will even rub this on chapped parts of my knuckles or nose.

La Roche-Posay Tinted Sunscreen

Yes! Tinted sunscreen. Superior sunscreen protection (SPF 50) with the coverage of a BB creme. I’m also completely obsessed with the texture: it goes on liquidy but blends + dries to a matte finish. My quality of life went up even more when I realized it was water resistant and a great base for applying makeup.

Bioderma Solution Micellaire Demaquillante 

Another great micellaire water. French girls will typically use these instead of a typical water cleanser or makeup remover. It’s unscented, doesn’t dry out your skin or sting, and gets rid of all your makeup with a few swipes. You’re left with soft, clean skin. Micellar water doesn’t need to be rinsed off- saving your skin from exposure to harsh tap water.

Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentre

I first heard about this because makeup artists at fashion week always prep the skin with it. Though they use it as a primer- it can also be used to remove makeup! I bought this because European winter was drying out my skin! Even my oily T-zone. It’s a rich cream, but doesn’t break me out. It brings dehydrated, irritated skin back to life.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat / Oil-Free Mattifying Moisturizer

I love this moisturizer for the warmer months. It targets oil and keeps skin matte but hydrated. Normally my T-zone can get oily mid-day, but never when I wear this.