Why I Raid European Pharmacies—and What I Buy

Over my years of traveling, I have discovered various products in foreign pharmacies that are either not available in the U.S. or harder to find and more expensive on this side of the Atlantic. Some of my favorite finds, like Travel Gum from Italy, just don’t exist in the States. Others I prefer because they are often more effective and less toxic—like sunscreens—or more tightly regulated and tested—like vitamin supplements. Below are some of the items that I stock up when in Europe and why.

As a serious sun avoider, I have been sampling sunscreens for years and following concerns around their ingredients. I was heartened recently when NPR published an article titled “Other Countries Have Better Sunscreens. Here’s Why We Can’t Get Them in the U.S.” because word is getting out that “In countries such as Japan, South Korea and France, sunscreens include newer chemical filters, some of which have been shown to provide broader protection against UV rays than those used in the U.S.” The reason comes down to the lengthy FDA process for approving sunscreen ingredients. U.S. creams tend to shield against UVB rays, which cause sunburn but not UVA, which contribute to skin cancer.

Not only do European sunscreens tend to have better chemical filters, many also focus more on minerals, which are more effective at shielding harmful UVA rays; they also tend to be paraben free. Shockingly, as the Environmental Working Group reported, “British researcher Brian Diffey evaluated the UV protection of four U.S. sunscreens and four sold in Europe, each of which had an SPF value of 50 or 50+. He found that the U.S. sunscreens allowed, on average, three times more UVA rays to pass through to the skin than the European products.” Here are my favorites by country:

In Italy:

Miamo Anti-Aging Sunscreen Drops. Similar to Dr. Barbara Sturm’s sundrops but at a fraction of the price, these drops protect against UVA, UVB, Blue Light and Pollution. They provide 50+ SPF. I apply them over moisturizer every day. Last year, an Italian pharmacist introduced me to BioNike Defence Sun, which I also like a lot.

In France:

I have been a fan of La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios line since I began buying it to put on my children, and I love their range of high-protection creams and lotions. Caudalie, which is a natural-based brand that includes grape extracts in many of its products, makes a great Vinosun High Protection that protects against UVA and UVB rays but also includes antioxidant healing ingredients like Spruce extract.

Another French beauty brand I love (see below), SVR, also has great sunscreens, including tinted mineral ones and an invisible stick. Finally, another favorite French brand that has incredibly sensitive and healing skin products, Avène (see below), also has some great high protection mineral only sunscreens that incorporate the special healing Avène thermal waters.

In Spain:

I learned about Isdin from a friend whose dermatologist recommended the Spanish skincare brand. While it is possible to order some products in the U.S., they are much more expensive, and I have only found the full range, which includes SPF 50+ lip balms, mineral powders and lots of tinted and untinted face creams in various weights in Spanish pharmacies. NaturaBissé is another Spanish brand out of Barcelona that sells some fabulous tinted moisturizers with sunscreens. They are widely available in the U.S., and I have not found them to be less expensive in Spain, but I do love their products.

For Nausea: Travel Gum

I discovered Travel Gum one year when riding on the winding roads up to the Dolomites for our annual September hiking trip. I have suffered from motion sickness since I was a child, and when I had to roll the windows down for air, my Italian driver popped the glove compartment and handed me Travel Gum, which contains 20 milligrams of dimenhydrinate, an antihistamine that is used to treat kinetosis, or nausea. Because it enters the bloodstream through your mouth’s mucous membranes as you chew, the dimenhydrinate relieves nausea faster than popping a Dramamine. Since that ride seven years ago, I try to stock up on Travel Gum whenever I am in Italy and always have some in my bag when traveling.

To Boost Energy & Immunity: Polase or Massigen

I learned about these magic powders of magnesium and potassium from someone on one of our Insider Journeys who swore by them as an energy and immune booster. Polase Classico is described as “indicated in cases of Potassium and Magnesium deficiency, which can be caused by excessive sweating (even in cases of particular climatic conditions) or intense physical activity.” An Italian former military officer said that packets were handed out in basic training. The two minerals provide a natural boost of energy and aid electrolyte balance, which makes Polase both a great hangover helper and flight friend. I add a sachet to my water bottle on every long flight to help revive and rehydrate me. A year ago, a pharmacist in Milan steered me to Massigen instead of Polase, because it is cheaper and contains Vitamins A, C and E, which boost immunity.

Cancer-Reducing Supplements: Ibsa Meltable Vitamins (K, D3 and B12)

Years ago one of my doctors recommended the benefits of Vitamin D3 as it has shown benefits in reduced rates of various cancers; it is best absorbed in conjunction with Vitamin K and both are beneficial for bone health. However, vitamins in the United States are not as strictly regulated or tested as they are in the EU, so I prefer to buy supplements like these and melatonin in the EU. Last year, when I was in Florence, I spotted an ad for IBSA’s new film strips of K, D3 and B12. Like Listerine strips, these vitamins are thin meltable strips that you dissolve on your tongue, and a stack of 30 takes up much less space than 30 pills, so great for traveling.

For Joint & Muscle Relief: Voltaren

This topical relief cream for inflammation in joint and muscle pain is non-steroidal and sold in higher concentrations (2.23 percent) over the counter in Europe than it is in the States (where you would need a prescription for something similar). According to Voltaren, the cream “works differently from heat or cooling rubs, which contain ingredients that stimulate nerves in the skin to provide a sensation of heating or cooling. Voltaren Emulgel instead allows an anti-inflammatory (diclofenac) to penetrate the skin deep down in order to relieve pain and reduce inflammation where you need it.”

Immune System Booster: Endomune

A friend who lives in France tipped me off to this immune booster from a cult “organic pharmacy” brand, Endomune, that contains amino acids, echinacea, vitamin D, green tea extracts and ginseng. She swears that it shortens colds, and I have added it to my repertoire of healing. I have also noticed customers in pharmacies asking for other products from the company that makes it, NHCO, which has created capsules of natural organic ingredients to target ailments from menstrual cramps (Cycladys), insomnia (L-Noxéam) and cellulite (CelluStepper) to male libido (Libimen) and appetite suppressant (Orexide-NG).

Scar Cream: Avène Cicalfate

This cult French beauty brand dates back to 1736 when the Marquis de Rocozel’s horse had a skin injury that was healed after swimming in the thermal waters at Avène. American victims of the Great Chicago Fire came for burn healing in the 1840s and decades ago someone turned me on to their famous Cicalfate scar cream, which I have had in my house since. Avène Cicalfate is truly a miracle cream for healing scars or dry skin.

Dry Shampoo: Klorane

There are lots of dry shampoos but none is as good as Klorane, which contains oat milk that gives volume but also supposedly nourishes your hair.

Skin Healer: Homeoplasmine

This is a homeopathic ointment that is a staple in French medicine cabinets and on pharmacy shelves. Homeoplasmine is an all purpose skin healer, sort of like non-greasy vaseline, which soothes dry or irritated skin, soothes bug bites or chapped skin or lips.

Skin Supplement: SVR Hyaluronic Acids

This French brand, which is less well known in the States than Clarins or Caudalie, has some great products, but my favorites are their hyaluronic acids, which I put on underneath moisturizer.

Deodorant: Avène, Caudalie or SVR Déodorants

All three of these brands make great deodorants with natural ingredients.

For Sleeping: Melatonin Film Strips

I am a big fan of melatonin for adjusting to time zones, but since supplements are not as strictly regulated in the U.S., I prefer buying melatonin in Europe, and I recently discovered the slim film strips that dissolve on your tongue in a French pharmacy. Like the IBSA ones in Italy, these take up less space than pills too.

Self Tanner: Institut Esthederm Fake Tanner

This self-tanning lotion, Reflets de Soleil, is so popular in France that the last time I looked for it, the pharmacist told me that it had been backordered for a few weeks as the manufacturer couldn’t keep up with the demand. It is not inexpensive (around 50 euros), but If you can get your hands on a bottle, you will understand why.

Throat Pain Reliever: Drill

These non-prescription throat lozenges don’t just relieve pain quickly (which they do); they also have antibacterial properties that kill the pathogens that cause upper respiratory tract infections. One study found that after just five minutes of contact, they destroyed 99% of the H1N! Virus.