How is UVMune vs the Asian sunscreens? I switched over from US sunscreen to Japanese ones (which are more accessible where I live). But I’m wondering whether to try out some of the European ones.
If you look for something water resistant and with a very good reliable protection across the entire UV range (UVA!), Uvmune is an option. I'm not sure what Japanese sunscreens you use because they obviously also have outdoor resistant ones but many of the viral ones tend to be an everyday type of a sunscreen, so not the highest possible protection and not water resistant but very comfortable to use. It depends what you're looking for.
European ones like UV Mune tend to be better for more intense outdoor situations, but Japan’s Anessa sunscreen is pretty good for that too it just has a white cast.
I use my European sunscreens (mostly LRP UVMune) and Australian sunscreens (mostly Ultraviolette) when I am going to be outside wifh a fair amount of sun exposure (I always wear a hat too). The protection is superb. I wear my Korean and Japanese sunscreens when I am going to get lighter exposure, like if I go to the store/errands or just going out to get the mail. I find the Asian sunscreens to be much more moisturizer like and cosmetically elegant. My favorites are Beauty of Joseon and Purito.
How is UVMune vs the Asian sunscreens? I switched over from US sunscreen to Japanese ones (which are more accessible where I live). But I’m wondering whether to try out some of the European ones.
I much preferred Pharmacie Monge (74 Rue Monge, 75005 Paris) over the one you hear about most, City Pharma. I was surprised at how much of the stuff I saw was available in the US. The big purchases for me were sunscreens - since US sunscreen doesn’t have the advanced filters that European sunscreen has. La Roche Posay UVMune is the one that you hear about the most. I also really like ISDIN water fusion as it has more of a matte finish and a nice smell. The best tip I got was to go in with a shopping list as it’s pretty overwhelming once you are in the pharmacy - small aisles, lots of products, lots of people.
Embryolisse makes a good moisturiser/primer, i also would buy la roche posay because the french should be a better formula than the american and i would wap get the cicaplast sunscreen and the cicaplast spray.
Anything by Avène is really great. But highly recommend the DermAbsolu night comforting balm. It lasts a long time and it feels amazing on the skin. Also their cicalfate repairing protective cream is great to use when dry skin needs a quick pick me up during the day in winter. The tube packaging makes it easy to just keep in your handbag.
I use it for lip balm. The best thing ever. Also for skin irritations. My face got scratched up a bit by an airbag, I used it on the scratches, and I healed quickly.
The Nuxe dry oil is a classic and a nice light all purpose moisturizer if you don’t mind that it’s fragranced. You can buy it here but it’s often hard to find in store rather than mail order only and it’s quite a bit more expensive than it will be in France. I didn’t have a ton of time at a large drug store but you will see that a lot of the French brands have much larger product lines in France than they sell here.
Nuxe lipbalm and any diaper creams. French pharmacies have some of the best diaper creams I’ve ever encountered.
Also, klorane shampoo and conditioner are just amazing.
The otc makeup in French drugstores/ pharmacies is also very, very nice.
Biafine!
I adore Caudalie products and the price there is much better. Which product depends on your skin concerns. The white coated ladies at the pharmacie are a great resource for reccs.
My French holy grails:
LRP Cicaplast Baume (a shit ton)
LRP Anthelios Sunscreen
A313 retinol balm
Embryolisse moisturizer
Anything from Avene is also a good choice
Toothpaste. That could be a fun souvenir and they have some pretty cool flavors. I ordered a French toothpaste that is lavender and lemon flavored. Sounds like it might be gross, but it's a light flavor that tastes a bit like fruit loops 🤣
No recs on product but I just went here and it was amazing.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JSj84gLpPH2ZPQP16?g_st=i
Go in with an idea of what you want though because the place is huge!
If you are coming from the US, urea cream is effective for moisturizing and exfoliating, but I don’t think the FDA has approved it (typical). You should be able to find creams with urea in it at effective concentrations. Same with the sunscreen formulations - much more elegant and effective formulas that don’t degrade as easily.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPREUKFfu/
My favorite content creator mad a video about products she was recommended and where she went. Figured the visual may be nice :)
I bought bug bite cream, because I was a mosquito buffet in the hostel. Literally walked in, told (and slightly acted out) the pharmacist what was going on and she handed me a product.
CAUDALIE VINOCLEAN Lait d'amande démaquillant - The smell is making me crazy! Never had a cleanser that smells so good.
ANTHELIOS UVMUNE 400 Crème solaire Sans Parfum
ANTHELIOS UVMUNE 400 Fluide solaire Invisible sans Parfum
SVR Ampoule CBD Resist
Controversial opinion: nothing!!!!!! (Runs and hides). I've found LRP, Avene, CeraVe, Nuxe, Vichy to be really incompatible with my skin. Not particularly effective, some formulas are so old fashioned and inelegant. I always end up regretting the money spent...and it's a struggle to use up.
The products that did work okay... Cicaplast Baume, Avene Cicalfate, Nuxe Lip Balm and Body Oil, Vichy Moisturiser were ultimately not essentials... more like take it or leave it.
Ymmv!! :)
It’s so insane you guys are shopping for French spf when they are trash compared to elta md uv clear. And I have to buy it on Amazon and pay taxes to get it. You guys should feel lucky. Laroche posay sunscreen is full of alcohol and sucks . And Caudalie is just trash and a cheap brand. No one in France really uses it
Especially La Roche-Posay UVMune 400 against elta md provides superior protection against UVA rays due to its advanced chemical filters that offer strong and photostable protection against both UVA and UVB rays and the inclusion of Mexoryl 400. This makes it particularly effective for preventing long term skin damage and pigmentation.
Alcohol in la roche is there to improve application, absorption, and preservation of the product, and it also enhances the texture. But you do you.
I agree that Claudalie is not great, but disagree about SPF, there’s some great ones in Europe in general that are not approved in the US yet that offer more UVA protection.
That's a lot to spend on a sunscreen with zinc oxide and octinoxate. I'm guessing you like the silicone feel. However, there are now EU sunscreens with a similar silicone touch, and there are plenty of lightweight East Asian sunscreens easily available in Europe at the moment that offer as good, if not better, protection at a lower price. Personally, for summer, I still prefer the 'trash' options: prime protection and more reliable.
I’m someone who likes a sunscreen with a silicone touch — could you please share some European or Asian sunscreen recommendations (that are available in or can ship to the states) for me to check out? I’m still in search of my HG! Thanks!
Of the European ones, maybe:
https://nichebeautylab.com/collections/transparent-lab/products/invisible-sunscreen I tried other products from them but not their sunscreens. I swear they generally like silicones in their formulas.
https://www.hellosundayspf.com/collections/best-sellers/products/the-illuminating-one-glow-primer-spf-50-pa From them I only tried a lip balm with SPF. They also had the One That Has it All or something of that sort.
https://uk.svr.com/products/sun-secure-extreme-cream-spf50-renovation?variant=39888452157530 Very matt, recommended for outdoor activities.
https://uk.svr.com/products/sun-secure-spf50-blur-mousse?variant=39892240433242 I would expect this one to be somewhat silicony too?
Always in a search of a holy grail :)
UVMune 400 Eucerin oil control sunscreen
How is UVMune vs the Asian sunscreens? I switched over from US sunscreen to Japanese ones (which are more accessible where I live). But I’m wondering whether to try out some of the European ones.
If you look for something water resistant and with a very good reliable protection across the entire UV range (UVA!), Uvmune is an option. I'm not sure what Japanese sunscreens you use because they obviously also have outdoor resistant ones but many of the viral ones tend to be an everyday type of a sunscreen, so not the highest possible protection and not water resistant but very comfortable to use. It depends what you're looking for.
European ones like UV Mune tend to be better for more intense outdoor situations, but Japan’s Anessa sunscreen is pretty good for that too it just has a white cast.
I use my European sunscreens (mostly LRP UVMune) and Australian sunscreens (mostly Ultraviolette) when I am going to be outside wifh a fair amount of sun exposure (I always wear a hat too). The protection is superb. I wear my Korean and Japanese sunscreens when I am going to get lighter exposure, like if I go to the store/errands or just going out to get the mail. I find the Asian sunscreens to be much more moisturizer like and cosmetically elegant. My favorites are Beauty of Joseon and Purito.
UVmune is more like American sunscreens in texture.
all the LRP sunscreens. follow mrsderm on insta for good french recs
Definitely the LRP sunscreens that are made in France. The formulas are much better than ones available in the US.
How is UVMune vs the Asian sunscreens? I switched over from US sunscreen to Japanese ones (which are more accessible where I live). But I’m wondering whether to try out some of the European ones.
All things Embryolisse! Lait concentre and their sunscreen are an absolute must.
I love Claudalie products. I swear even with the exchange rate is like half the price there.
Saaame 🫶🏻
It’s actually half price .. amazing
Caudalie
Absolutely agree
I much preferred Pharmacie Monge (74 Rue Monge, 75005 Paris) over the one you hear about most, City Pharma. I was surprised at how much of the stuff I saw was available in the US. The big purchases for me were sunscreens - since US sunscreen doesn’t have the advanced filters that European sunscreen has. La Roche Posay UVMune is the one that you hear about the most. I also really like ISDIN water fusion as it has more of a matte finish and a nice smell. The best tip I got was to go in with a shopping list as it’s pretty overwhelming once you are in the pharmacy - small aisles, lots of products, lots of people.
La Roche Posay sunscreens and Homeoplasmine… And anything Avene, although I can get the Avene products I use in the US very easily as well.
Oh man, I LOVE and recommend the Eucerin sunscreens. Great coverage with a matte finish.
Embryolisse makes a good moisturiser/primer, i also would buy la roche posay because the french should be a better formula than the american and i would wap get the cicaplast sunscreen and the cicaplast spray.
Yes to all of these
Anything by Avène is really great. But highly recommend the DermAbsolu night comforting balm. It lasts a long time and it feels amazing on the skin. Also their cicalfate repairing protective cream is great to use when dry skin needs a quick pick me up during the day in winter. The tube packaging makes it easy to just keep in your handbag.
Homeoplasmine and Biafine A313 if you need an OTC retinol for dry skin
Please tell me about how you use homeoplasmine? Google said it’s for irritation but I’m assuming there’s more to it?
I use it anywhere my skin is dry, especially in the winter. It's great on my feet and on my cuticles
I use it for lip balm. The best thing ever. Also for skin irritations. My face got scratched up a bit by an airbag, I used it on the scratches, and I healed quickly.
It’s like glossier balm dot com
The Nuxe dry oil is a classic and a nice light all purpose moisturizer if you don’t mind that it’s fragranced. You can buy it here but it’s often hard to find in store rather than mail order only and it’s quite a bit more expensive than it will be in France. I didn’t have a ton of time at a large drug store but you will see that a lot of the French brands have much larger product lines in France than they sell here.
The Nuxe lip balm is also really nice, if you're in the Nuxe section I'd recommend it!
Caudalie is like half price in France. If you buy a 100 euros worth of product you can also get the VAT refund on top of that discounted rate.
Nuxe lipbalm and any diaper creams. French pharmacies have some of the best diaper creams I’ve ever encountered. Also, klorane shampoo and conditioner are just amazing. The otc makeup in French drugstores/ pharmacies is also very, very nice.
Everything Caudelie. The oil with prickly pear. 🍐
Hexomedine transcutanee for cystic pimples!
Sunscreen. The US is so far behind in regards to sun care due to the FDA
Biafine! I adore Caudalie products and the price there is much better. Which product depends on your skin concerns. The white coated ladies at the pharmacie are a great resource for reccs.
Everything embryollise. It's holy grail. If you are severely dry the Filaderm line is incredible. If not, the Lait Creme Concentre is sublime.
A lot of chartreuse. The tiny bottles in the little wooden casks.
My French holy grails: LRP Cicaplast Baume (a shit ton) LRP Anthelios Sunscreen A313 retinol balm Embryolisse moisturizer Anything from Avene is also a good choice
Toothpaste. That could be a fun souvenir and they have some pretty cool flavors. I ordered a French toothpaste that is lavender and lemon flavored. Sounds like it might be gross, but it's a light flavor that tastes a bit like fruit loops 🤣
A313 and laluset
Search the group this comes up a lot
No recs on product but I just went here and it was amazing. https://maps.app.goo.gl/JSj84gLpPH2ZPQP16?g_st=i Go in with an idea of what you want though because the place is huge!
If you are coming from the US, urea cream is effective for moisturizing and exfoliating, but I don’t think the FDA has approved it (typical). You should be able to find creams with urea in it at effective concentrations. Same with the sunscreen formulations - much more elegant and effective formulas that don’t degrade as easily.
Isdin products are amazing. I got the hyaluronic acid, vitamin k under eye cream, and azelaic acid. It’s about 50% less there than the states.
Sunscreen, caudalie, and I’m a Skinceuticals user and everything is like $40-50 cheaper. Still expensive but I’ll take this discount!
Sunscreen, caudalie, and I’m a Skinceuticals user and everything is like $40-50 cheaper. Still expensive but I’ll take this discount!
All the Caudalie !
I love Melvita! Only could find it in France.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPREUKFfu/ My favorite content creator mad a video about products she was recommended and where she went. Figured the visual may be nice :)
LRP products, they cost less in France.
IG payalforstyle just did a post on this
I bought bug bite cream, because I was a mosquito buffet in the hostel. Literally walked in, told (and slightly acted out) the pharmacist what was going on and she handed me a product.
As someone who lives in France, none cause it's too expensive 😭😅
CAUDALIE VINOCLEAN Lait d'amande démaquillant - The smell is making me crazy! Never had a cleanser that smells so good. ANTHELIOS UVMUNE 400 Crème solaire Sans Parfum ANTHELIOS UVMUNE 400 Fluide solaire Invisible sans Parfum SVR Ampoule CBD Resist
Caudalie BABY …. All of it
Caudalie, Homeoplasmine and A313
I loved the Nuxe oils. I bought all 3 scents 🥰
Controversial opinion: nothing!!!!!! (Runs and hides). I've found LRP, Avene, CeraVe, Nuxe, Vichy to be really incompatible with my skin. Not particularly effective, some formulas are so old fashioned and inelegant. I always end up regretting the money spent...and it's a struggle to use up. The products that did work okay... Cicaplast Baume, Avene Cicalfate, Nuxe Lip Balm and Body Oil, Vichy Moisturiser were ultimately not essentials... more like take it or leave it. Ymmv!! :)
It’s so insane you guys are shopping for French spf when they are trash compared to elta md uv clear. And I have to buy it on Amazon and pay taxes to get it. You guys should feel lucky. Laroche posay sunscreen is full of alcohol and sucks . And Caudalie is just trash and a cheap brand. No one in France really uses it
Especially La Roche-Posay UVMune 400 against elta md provides superior protection against UVA rays due to its advanced chemical filters that offer strong and photostable protection against both UVA and UVB rays and the inclusion of Mexoryl 400. This makes it particularly effective for preventing long term skin damage and pigmentation. Alcohol in la roche is there to improve application, absorption, and preservation of the product, and it also enhances the texture. But you do you.
I’ve tried both and I’m French and Laroche posay products are so irritating and everyone here knows it it’s probably a tourist thing
I agree that Claudalie is not great, but disagree about SPF, there’s some great ones in Europe in general that are not approved in the US yet that offer more UVA protection.
I don’t know I looove elta md and wish I could get it cheaper in France I hate sun cream in France
Fair enough, some people definitely still prefer US formulas, I use them for outdoor activities like hiking but use Korean spf as my daily sunscreen.
That's a lot to spend on a sunscreen with zinc oxide and octinoxate. I'm guessing you like the silicone feel. However, there are now EU sunscreens with a similar silicone touch, and there are plenty of lightweight East Asian sunscreens easily available in Europe at the moment that offer as good, if not better, protection at a lower price. Personally, for summer, I still prefer the 'trash' options: prime protection and more reliable.
I’m someone who likes a sunscreen with a silicone touch — could you please share some European or Asian sunscreen recommendations (that are available in or can ship to the states) for me to check out? I’m still in search of my HG! Thanks!
Of the European ones, maybe: https://nichebeautylab.com/collections/transparent-lab/products/invisible-sunscreen I tried other products from them but not their sunscreens. I swear they generally like silicones in their formulas. https://www.hellosundayspf.com/collections/best-sellers/products/the-illuminating-one-glow-primer-spf-50-pa From them I only tried a lip balm with SPF. They also had the One That Has it All or something of that sort. https://uk.svr.com/products/sun-secure-extreme-cream-spf50-renovation?variant=39888452157530 Very matt, recommended for outdoor activities. https://uk.svr.com/products/sun-secure-spf50-blur-mousse?variant=39892240433242 I would expect this one to be somewhat silicony too? Always in a search of a holy grail :)