French pharmacy skincare: the City Pharma guide.

French beauty with the JARI community.

Which cream, where to get it cheapest, the tax refund: ask the community and JARI pros (and share your haul!).

Why the French pharmacy?

In France, the best skincare brands are sold in pharmacies, not perfume shops — and at unbeatable prices. La Roche-Posay, Bioderma, Avène, Nuxe, Caudalie: cult favourites in Korea, often 2–3 times cheaper here than in Seoul.

City Pharma, the HQ.

City Pharma (26 rue du Four, 75006, Saint-Germain-des-Prés) is THE discount pharmacy in Paris: several floors of skincare, up to 30% off most brands. Open Mon–Fri 8:30am–9pm, Sat 9am–9pm, closed Sundays. Come on a weekday morning: afternoons and Saturdays are packed (and there’s a queue).

The must-buys for your basket.

• La Roche-Posay: Cicaplast Baume B5 (repair), Effaclar (blemish-prone skin), Anthelios (sun protection).
• Bioderma: Sensibio H2O, the cult micellar water.
• Embryolisse: Lait-Crème Concentré, the makeup artists’ 3-in-1.
• Nuxe: Huile Prodigieuse (face, body, hair).
• Avène, Caudalie, Klorane, Homéoplasmine: safe bets.

The tax refund (détaxe).

As a non-EU resident, you can reclaim the VAT. You must spend more than €100 in the same store on the same day. At City Pharma, the refund is 12% from €175. Bring your passport (required), ask for the form at the till, then validate it at a PABLO kiosk at the airport before leaving the EU. Actual refund: ≈10–15%.

JARI tip.

Make a list before you go (the aisles are dense and it goes fast). Grab travel sizes to test, keep your passport on you for the refund, and avoid Saturday afternoons.