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On a pre-tariff journey to Paris final summer season, we devoted a day to select up a number of the cult-favorite merchandise recognized for giving the French their je ne sais quois. Whereas we tabled our Polène procuring spree for an additional time (you’d assume there was a Supreme drop based mostly on the road wrapped across the boutique), we did handle to cease by the pharmacies to refill on sunscreens and skincare not usually discovered on U.S. cabinets.
Among the many gadgets we picked up was A313 pommade, a pharmaceutical-grade vitamin A retinoid cream manufactured by Pharma Développement out there over-the-counter at pharmacies in France. This French favourite is named a “miracle cream” that addresses high quality strains, darkish spots and zits — and after utilizing it a minimum of thrice per week for the previous eight months, we are able to confidently say we’ve seen smoother, plumper pores and skin with A313 (extra on that under).
Not like retinoids within the U.S., A313 doesn’t require a prescription. In truth, now you can get the exact same collagen-boosting formulation however with a brand new, extra absorbent texture on sale at Amazon — no airplane ticket required. (We stil suggest consulting along with your dermatologist earlier than utilizing the product.)
A313 French Pharmacy Vitamin A (Retinoids) Light-weight Face Cream
A 50g tube (or 1.76 oz.) of A313 value us someplace between 16 to 18 Euros (or $18 to $20) in France — whereas that’s about half the worth at Amazon, it’s nonetheless a steal in comparison with the $500 to $800 you’ll spend on a airplane ticket (don’t overlook inns, eating places and different journey bills). One other plus in our e-book? The aluminum tube and plastic cap are simple to recycle.
The product on Amazon comes instantly from the producer, however in English packaging. The lively ingredient is 0.12 % retinyl palmitate, a type of vitamin A that helps to spice up collagen manufacturing, deal with hyperpigmentation, cut back the looks of high quality strains and wrinkles and clean the pores and skin’s texture.
The cream we purchased in France final 12 months has a consistency much like Vaseline, however barely thicker and stickier. Nevertheless, Pharma Développment says it not too long ago “improved” the feel to “a sophisticated cream” that’s smoother and absorbs faster than the pomade model.
The consistency of A313 was much like petroleum jelly, however barely stickier and thicker.
Whereas in Paris, we needed to ask a pharmacist to drag A313 for us from behind the counter. We got clear directions on use it: begin with a pea-sized quantity a couple of times every week, use it solely at evening, at all times put on sunscreen and look ahead to any itching or peeling of the pores and skin and different indicators of sensitivity. (Dermatologists additionally suggest avoiding retinol and retinoids throughout the summer season.)
We adopted the pharmacist’s recommendation to a T, utilizing A313 solely at evening about thrice weekly because the final step in our skin-care routine. Since we began utilizing it over eight months in the past, we’ve seen our solar spots grow to be much less noticeable, whereas our pores and skin feels smoother, bouncier and extra hydrated. We’ve olive mixture pores and skin that’s on the delicate facet, with some occasional rosacea on our cheekbones. The one irritation we skilled was minor itchiness after making use of it over serum that was nonetheless moist, so we suggest ready till your face is totally dry earlier than utilizing A313. (For the document, we’re at the moment utilizing Tatcha’s Texture Tonic and The Essence, and Glo by Glen’s L’eclat Vitality Elixir.)
A313’s components listed in French.
On the pharmacy, we additionally spent a superb 20 minutes grabbing sunscreen from La Roche-Posay, Avène and Nuxe (European and Asian sunscreens are extensively recognized to be more effective); Embryolisse‘s bestselling Lait-Crème Concentré; and drugstore physique soaps and lotions (together with our new favourite Le Petit Marseillais candy almond milk physique wash). Save for French SPFs, all of those are additionally out there on Amazon — so that you’re (nearly) getting your very personal Parisian pharmacy expertise at house.
Get A313 whereas it’s nonetheless on sale at Amazon for under $38 proper right here.