What Beauty Products Should I Buy in Europe?

Here’s what I buy in bulk when I visit Europe — and where to buy in the U.S.

When I saw your question, I immediately went to my Notes app. That’s where I keep a disorganized, barely legible list titled “Euro Beauty.” It has entries like “Beroca [sic] for jet lag?” and “LRP sunscreen - SPF 50 not the same as U.S.” I’ve kept the list for years, updating it when I discover new things in Europe or hear about products from interview subjects. I don’t remember when I started it, but I know it’s old because down at the bottom, there are notes on Bioderma micellar water and Embryolisse cream — two makeup-artist favorites that have long since made their way to the States. Still, I bet there are many other products you may not have heard about yet.

Below are some of my favorites, minus all the OTC medications. (However! Donormyl fizzy tablets are amazing if you have trouble sleeping; drop one in water, drink up, and you’ll awake eight hours later without grogginess.) I included links to websites for photos and descriptions of the items. But if you shop online, just know that you’ll pay a lot more than you would in Europe. And beware of third-party sellers, which may stock products that have been doctored for the American market (or are potentially counterfeit). The best way to get these goodies is still the old-fashioned way: Bring them home as souvenirs.

Sunscreens to Buy at European Pharmacies

La Roche Posay Anthelios UVmune 400 Hydrating Cream SPF50+

If you have dry skin, this will be your new favorite facial sunscreen. It manages to be non-stinging and lightly hydrating without feeling sticky (it has two sunscreen ingredients — bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine and ethylhexyl triazone — that aren’t approved yet in the U.S.).

EVY Sunscreen Mousse SPF 50

I first heard about this Swedish brand from my friend who’s a cosmetic chemist. The foam formula makes it easy to apply quickly without much rubbing, and the company’s lab tests show that the formula is water-resistant for eight hours. (In the real world, you should apply every two to three hours.) It’s truly one of the best beach-day sunscreens.

P20 by Riemann Once A Day Sun Protection Spray SPF30 200ml

The fashion world’s favorite facialist, Raquel Medina-Cleghorn, told me about this sunscreen, and I want to try it (can you bring me back a bottle?). It’s vegan, fragrance-free, and developed for sensitive skin. Plus, it’s supposed to play well under makeup so you don’t get pilling.

$35 at Amazon

Everything Else to Buy at European Pharmacies

A313 Vitamin A Pommade

This vitamin-A cream rivals prescription-level retinoids in its efficacy (after about six weeks of use, the texture of your skin will look smoother) and its vibe (it feels kind of like an ointment). It’s rich and potent so you only need a tiny dab for your whole face.

$19 at Amazon

Eucerin pH5 Shower Oil

Many of the dermatologist-approved body washes for dry skin are so … boring. And medicinal. This, meanwhile, feels like a treat (a 200 ml. bottle is about $10 in Germany — and I’m assuming it’s equally inexpensive in other European countries). The oil emulsifies to a subtle foam, so you feel like you’re cleansing and moisturizing at the same time. Plus, it doubles as the world’s best shaving cream.

$32 at Amazon

Nuxe Prodigieux Le Parfum

Nuxe body oil has been a cult-favorite for years, and it’s a gorgeous formula. But I think the creamy, intoxicating scent is why it’s so popular. In Europe, Nuxe makes a perfume with the same exact scent — and it’s a bargain! Spray it on, and you will immediately feel like you’re on summer holiday.

$45 at eCosmetics

Nivea Cream – Made in Germany

I was in Berlin and bought this because I had chapped hands after ice skating outside. Not only does it feel more soothing than the U.S. version, it works faster. My hands were back to normal — softer than normal — the next day. I went online to figure out what the difference was, and it turns out there’s a rumor that German Nivea is basically the same thing as La Mer. I won’t go that far in my recommendation, but it’s definitely better than the U.S. version.

Vichy 48H NO MARKS Anti-perspirant Deodorant

Everyone loves this deodorant because the sweat- and odor-protection lasts two days, but I’ll tell you the real benefit: It doesn’t cause white fabric to yellow. Apparently, the aluminum salts used in most anti-perspirants react with sweat to cause discoloration, but this doesn’t have the salts so, voilà: The underarms of white T-shirts stay white.

La Rosée Nourishing Tinted Lip Balm

This sheer tinted balm gives lips the prettiest, pinkest flush with just a bit of waxy moisture, so the effect is totally natural. Plus, it’s refillable, so you can buy a bunch of recharges and feel good about not putting more plastic tubes in the landfill!

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Surgras Cleansing Bar

Nothing says “European” like a big, chunky bar of oil-enriched soap you can use all over. A French makeup artist told me about this one, and I’m kind of obsessed. It’s gentle, lasts forever, and is great for travel because you can use it on your face and body.

Biafine Emulsion Multipurpose Healing Cream

I recently burnt my forehead (hot oil splash from a stir-fry) and asked my podcast listeners for recommendations on how to heal it. Multiple skin experts recommended this ointment, including dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD. She was right, it works! I know it’s for burns, but I will use it on all my bug bites this summer so they heal faster without scarring.

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