The French secret to fresher, (whisper it) younger-looking skin? A313 Pommade. An under-the-radar classic, the cream retails for less than £20 and delivers serious results. ‘It’s one of our bestsellers,’ says Dr Marine Vincent, whose London shop
The French Pharmacy (10 New Cavendish Street, W1) has Parisian émigrés flocking for their skincare needs. A313 is typical of a pharmacie buy, which, says Dr Vincent, is notable for combining ‘high quality, efficacy and an accessible price point’.
As a beauty junkie, I’ve been seduced by French pharmacies since my teens. While other girls were checking out garçons, I was hypnotised by Elancyl cellulite tools and Lancaster sun creams. I loved the way shelves were meticulously stacked – the utilitarian style somehow telling me that with diligent application, I too could look like the bronzed sirens in the adverts. I admired the way French women took beauty seriously, with the attitude that the purchasing of products was a god-given right.
Dr Vincent agrees. ‘For us,’ she says, ‘it is part of wellness. We believe in being proactive about our health and skin. Prevention is everything.’ And pharmacie buys have another plus: they are affordable. Dr Vincent’s brands to consider? Avène, Embryolisse, Gallinée, Institut Esthederm, Klorane, La Roche-Posay, La Rosée, Nuxe and Vichy.
Aside from stocking high-performance products, the appeal of French pharmacies is that you can access expert, impartial skincare advice from the pharmacists
My make-up artist friends are enamoured too. Both of my favourite face painters, Ruby Hammer and Aimee Adams, recommend the same product: Biafine Emulsion (from around £10, amazon.co.uk) for its soothing properties (good for sunburn). Homéoplasmine (a backstage staple, see opposite) is another stalwart of their kits. It nourishes without being greasy. Aimee uses it as a subtle lip balm (her male clients like it) and on any rough skin. Ruby also rates Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water for its gentle but effective cleansing.
Aside from stocking high-performance products, the appeal of French pharmacies is that you can access expert, impartial skincare advice from the pharmacists. Dr Vincent says, in France, the professionals ‘are not stuck in the back like they are in the UK, but available to help customers talk about any issues’.
Pharmacie buys combine high quality with an accessible price
A pharmacist herself, she offers this in her London store, offering a 30-minute skincare consultation for £45, redeemable against product purchase. If you have concerns such as acne, rosacea or psoriasis, book a pharmacist prescriber consultation (£75 for 30 minutes) so more powerful medication can be prescribed – a service that would cost hundreds with a dermatologist.
@lifesrosie
IM WITH THESE BRANDS…
A313 Pommade (£19.90, thefrenchpharmacy.co). This pharmaceutical-grade vitamin A smooths fine lines and eases pigmentation and acne.
Homéoplasmine (from £6.99, thefrenchpharmacy.co). Beloved by models and movie stars, this soothes irritation and nourishes while adding a subtle sheen.
A313 Pommade (£19.90, thefrenchpharmacy.co) (left), a pharmaceutical-grade vitamin A smooths fine lines and eases pigmentation and acne. Homéoplasmine (from £6.99, thefrenchpharmacy.co) (right), beloved by models and movie stars, soothes irritation and nourishes while adding a subtle sheen
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water (£5.50, thefrenchpharmacy.co). A favourite of everyone from Victoria Beckham to Selena Gomez.
Gatineau Tan Accelerating Lotion (£55, gatineau.com). A hydrating, skin-smoothing lotion that will maximise your holiday tan.
La Rosée Stick Mask (£18.90, thefrenchpharmacy.co). The hero product of a pharmacist created range, this uses clay to brighten, tighten and detoxify.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water (£5.50, thefrenchpharmacy.co), (left), is a favourite of everyone from Victoria Beckham to Selena Gomez. Gatineau Tan Accelerating Lotion (£55, gatineau.com) (right) offers a hydrating, skin-smoothing lotion that will maximise your holiday tan
La Rosée Stick Mask (£18.90, thefrenchpharmacy.co). The hero product of a pharmacist created range, this uses clay to brighten, tighten and detoxify
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré (£13.99, lookfantastic.co.uk). This calms stressed-out skin. No wonder one sells every 13 seconds.
Rouje La Brume Cheveux (£32, uk.rouje.com). A cult-brand salt spray that smells like summer, gives hair shine and encourages beachy waves.
Lancaster Sun Perfect Perfecting Fluid SPF 50 (£28.99, very.co.uk). This delivers multiple skincare benefits and a veil of coverage that makes you look polished.
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré (£13.99, lookfantastic.co.uk) (right) calms stressed-out skin. No wonder one sells every 13 seconds. Lancaster Sun Perfect Perfecting Fluid SPF 50 (£28.99, very.co.uk) (right) delivers multiple skincare benefits and a veil of coverage that makes you look polished
FOR AN ELEGANTLY GROOMED PONY
Sézane’s Gaston scarf will add a dose of Gallic chic to your hairstyle. £20, sezane.com
BEAUTY WISDOM
‘You can be gorgeous at 30, charming at 40 and irresistible for the rest of your life’ Coco Chanel
MY NEW SUPER SERUM
Our search for a high SPF that feels weightless on your face is over. Meet Ambre Solaire Invisible Serum Super UV SPF 50+, £14, boots.com. A game changer.
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