If there was one place in Paris, besides a pastry shop, where I tend to lose my mind, it would be at City-Pharma, a pharmacy steps away from Boulevard Saint Germain. Whenever I'm there every product I lay my eyes on sounds like a wonderful idea, and something that the skin on my face will sag to my chest without. Whether I need it or not, if I see a nice looking woman next to me picking it up, I will also consider buying it. If it can do that for her it surely will work wonders on me!
City-Pharma is one of the most popular places in Paris when it comes to lotions, potions, and everything that might make wrinkles fade, skin appear healthier or glowing, lips to perk up, hair get shinier, and simply all the stuff we need to make us feel and look great.
Here is some info to make a visit to City-Pharma as painless as possible.
Bring photos of what you are interested in; it's easier if one comes prepared since it can get quite overwhelming with so much inventory. You can always seek help from the many salespeople restocking the shelves. I have read some scary stories on the internet about people staying away from City-Pharma due to massive crowds or rude salespeople. I have been shopping there for many years during various times of day, and have never been uncomfortable due to crowds. Yes, it is crowded but not overly, the salespeople are helpful and respond kindly to polite inquires. I enjoy a good hunt, and a nice bargain, so the other shoppers do not faze me. In fact, I find the atmosphere there quite pleasant, women talk among themselves about products even if a language barrier only allows for an enthusiastic thumbs up.
I can't say which time of day is best in order to avoid crowds; it really varies, I like to go right as they open for the day, but have also been there in the late afternoon. Weekday mornings have been somewhat better in my opinion.
So, get ready, grab a little shopping bag or basket which are on the left as you enter the store, and start shopping.
The salespeople are restocking products all day long. I don't quite understand why they are putting products on the shelves first thing in the morning since that should be done prior to opening. It would be easier to move around if they stocked the store before customers come in. These photos were taken seconds after the store opened in the morning.
So, onto the good stuff. Everything is here! and the prices are great, especially in comparison with the U.S. They also have promotions offering even better bargains.
Even though I come clutching a good list in my hand, it still is fun to scan the isles, and read product descriptions.
There are registers on the street level and upstairs. Make sure to line up at the orange sign "Caisses sans ordonnance" - Cash registers without prescriptions, unless you are filling out a medicine prescription. If you spend over 175 euro, you will qualify for a tax refund (Detaxe) upon leaving the EU. Bring your passport! It only takes a few minutes for the cashier to print out the receipt and tax forms.
So, what to buy? You can be like this man who bought enough Bioderma for a small village.
This is why my suitcases weigh so much:
This lovely Roger & Gallet body lotion (16$ in the U.S., much cheaper in Paris) and soap is for my mom who likes the strong rosy scent. I know the prices for some of the products that I purchased.
This is a great face and body lotion which is fragrance free.
Caudalie shower gel is non-irritating, and soap and paraben-free and it smells really lovely.
I love this face and body wash. It does not have a very feminine scent, but it leaves my skin silky smooth. I don't mean anything bad about the smell, it just strikes me as a bit masculine, sort of like an old fashion soap smell, but lovely. It really is wonderful, and it costs $30 in the USA, nowhere near that in Paris.
Now, without getting into trouble with the FDA, the sunscreens in the USA are not as good as the ones available in Europe. There are plenty of articles written about that so I won't comment more. This is my favorite and the only one that my family uses. It costs 19 euro at City-Pharma and $30 in the USA!!
I use this sunscreen on my face because it's not shiny, but you have to make sure to rub it in well to avoid looking like a ghost. It's a fantastic product that is in my handbag all summer. It costs about 10 Euro at CP vs $33 in the U.S.
Soothing spring water. I know that my husband would totally not understand this product. "You paid for water to spritz on your face?" Yes I did, yup.
My kids really like these lip balms. I paid 5,49 euro for these two at CP, and they cost $10 for one back in the USA.
These are great anti-ageing retinol creams.
This is my all time favorite product. I never leave Paris without it.
Bioderma cleanser is delicate on the skin but great for make up, even mascara, removal. I usually buy a couple of large bottles, a couple of small bottles and a few packages of travel wipes. I paid 15,49$ for the two at CP, and in the USA they cost $15 each.
This Nuxe silicone and preservative free oil is great for the face, body and even hair. The smell is fantastic and fresh, I'm totally addicted to it. It costs 19,90 euro at CP, and over $60 on Amazon in the USA.
26, rue du Four
Monday -Friday - 8:30 -8
Saturday - 9-8
Closed Sunday
Joanna
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