Tester feedback: "A friend recommended this spot corrector, and I'm so glad she did," says Blackman. "It's a no-frills product I put on before bed (or during WFH days) when battling an active blemish. I feel the dry-out power for sure, and it gives me a reason not to dig into the zit with my fingernails—always a plus."
Key ingredients: sulfur 10%, glycolic acid, niacinamide | Who it's for: people with whiteheads | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Frizz: Phyto Phytodéfrisant Botanical Smoothing Balm
Why it's worth it: Phyto's Phytodéfrisant Botanical Smoothing Balm is the perfect first step before taking a blow-dryer to your precious little head. Lightweight and non-greasy, this balm softens and smoothens hair while bracing it for the frizz-sparking effects of heat and humidity, especially the kind that comes roaring out of a hot tool. It's made from a blend of plant-based goodies like hydrating marshmallow extract, cuticle-sealing guar gum, and a softening cocktail of ferula, sage, horseradish, and matricaria extracts. Apply it to wet or damp hair, distribute with a wide-tooth comb (or your fingers), and get to blow-drying.
Key ingredients: marshmallow extract, guar gum, ferula extract, sage extract, horseradish extract, matricaria extract | Who it's for: people using heat on their hair | Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Americans like French pharmacy products?
American admiration of French pharmacy products is, without a doubt, connected to a general sense of fascination and mysticism with French beauty and style, and there's a definite allure to that foreignness. "Because there are products available in French pharmacies that are not available in the US—either at all or without a prescription—we wonder if these products may hold some of [the French beauty] secrets," says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
Are French pharmacy products better than American ones?
French pharmacy goodies aren't necessarily better than stateside ones, but the average formula tends to be a little more sophisticated than the average formula you'll find at a U.S. drugstore. "Brands like La Roche-Posay, Vichy, and Avène deliver formulations that are often backed by robust dermatological research, featuring active ingredients like thermal spring water, niacinamide, and retinoids—minus the fluff," says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut. "Their efficacy is dialed in, but their textures? Silky, weightless, and a dream to layer. It's skincare that works but also feels good—a rare combo that's just as at home in a derm's office as it is on a vanity tray inMonaco."
Meet the experts
- Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut
- Fatima Fahs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Michigan
- Divya Shokeen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in California
- Marina Peredo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Noah Levit, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut
- Asmi Berry, DO, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles
- Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
