A trip to your local pharmacy in Paris, France, will prove rewarding for the beauty obsessed

WORDS Fedina S. Sundaryani

Going to the pharmacy'€“or the chemist, or the drugstore, depending on your preferred vernacular'€“is usually a drag.

Trips typically are comprised of less-than-glamorous activities, such as buying cold medicine, rummaging shelves for your favorite balsam or comprise emergency period-related trips.

However, a trip to your local pharmacy in Paris, France, might prove rewarding for the beauty obsessed.

Although Citypharma on Rue du Four is the most famous of the lot, every pharmacy-identifiable by their bright, inviting green crosses-on the streets of Paris, is filled with shelves of the most luxurious skincare products you will ever find-and at incredibly affordable prices.

Even if your French language skills are a little rusty, the stern, lab-coated sales ladies are incredibly helpful and know their stuff, so don'€™t be shy!

Here are five of the best products you must look out for on your next trip to the City of Love.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

Skincare and makeup mean nothing without mastering the basics, and that means getting the right moisturizer. Touting itself as a '€œnourishing, multitasking moisturizer that primes, hydrates and removes all traces of makeup'€, Lait-Crème Concentré is a godsend in a squeeze tube. It'€™s paraben-, sulfate- and phthalate-free and sinks into the skin quickly without leaving a greasy film, making it suitable for most skin-types with a little tweaking on when to use. Those with dry skin will benefit from using it twice a day, while oily-skinned women may want to reserve this as a night cream. The moisturizer also makes for an amazing makeup primer, as it eliminates dry patches or flakes so that makeup can go on smoothly.

Boiron Homéoplasmine

Finding the perfect lip balm that won'€™t ruin your matte lipstick is a struggle. Most leave your lips feeling greasy and looking glossy, which is good on those au naturel days, but not so great when you want your US$50 lipstick to stay in place. This is where Homéoplasmine excels. This cream hydrates your lips while leaving a matte finish. It can also do several other miracles, such as soothing irritated, dry skin, and can even be used to heal burns or acne scars. Though some say that Homéoplasmine can also be used as a makeup primer, proceed with caution, as it does have some slip. You may look a little greasy by the end of the day, if your skin isn'€™t as dry as the Sahara.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar DUO[+]

Hands up if you get those pesky cystic acne spots on your chin whenever it'€™s that time of the month and all you want to do is sit at home and watch YouTube videos, but can'€™t because you have a job or a social event you'€™ve committed yourself to. If you raised your hand, then the Effaclar DUO[+] will need to find itself in your purse ASAP. This product contains LHA and linoleic acid, which is meant to eliminate the dead skin cells that are responsible for clogging pores and causing those pesky breakouts. It also contains Niacinamide and Piroone Olamine, which are meant to prevent future breakouts by purifying the skin. This topical blemish cream can be used as an all-over face treatment or can be used only on those annoying pimples that just won'€™t go away. Do be warned: The product is drying and can cause itchiness and flakiness, so applying a good moisturizer after applying the Effaclar DUO[+] is essential.

Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Overnight Detox Oil

Face oils have been all the range last year and they show no sign of stopping. If you haven'€™t tried any because you'€™re not sure where to start, Polyphenol C15 Overnight Detox Oil is for you. This multi-tasker is packed with five essential oils and three vegetable oils and is touted as promoting '€œcellular renewal and toxin elimination'€, leaving you with replenished skin the morning after you use it. Use is also easy: Pour a few drop onto your hands, rub together and then massage it into your face with an upward motion to encourage blood flow. As the name indicates, this product is best used in the evening, as it does not play well with makeup.

Avène Eau Thermale (Thermal Spring Water)

You may look at Eau Thermale and think that it would be much cheaper to buy bottled water at the supermarket, put it in a spray bottle and call it a day. But the experience would not be the same. This magic bottle sprays a fine mist and helps soothe and calm your skin, without disturbing your makeup, so that you won'€™t be as sweaty and red from the pollution and heat. Once you spray on your face, wait for 20 to 30 seconds before patting it into your skin so that it gets absorbed better.