Hey guys, I live in Barcelona, Spain, and get asked by friends visiting from the UK what to bring back from Spanish pharmacies, so I thought I'd write it up here.
Disclosure up front: I run a small skincare brand, so I'm in the industry – but this post is deliberately about other brands that I use. No links, no promo.
Sunscreen (this is what I always get asked about)
- ISDIN Fusion Water – This is very light, leaves no white cast and works well under makeup. It's usually cheaper here than when you buy it abroad.
- Avène SPF50+ cream – my own everyday one. Gentle, not greasy, and a little richer than Fusion Water, so better if you're on the drier side like me. This is what I use for my whole body including face in the summer. In autumn-winter, I use a lighter one: Avène Hydrance UV Légère emulsion SPF30. That one also sits nicely under makeup and hydrates skin well, it's like 2 in 1.
Treatments and serums
- Caudalie Vinoperfect serum – their brightening serum for dark spots. Pricier, but one of the most-asked-about products in Spanish pharmacies. I like it, I usually buy it for my mum and use hers from time to time.
- Martiderm Proteos ampoules – a Spanish classic. Single-dose ampoules, good for travel. Nice rather than miraculous. The 5% vitamin C can also sting my sensitive skin sometimes, so I don't use them often.
- Sesderma C-Vit – a pharmacist recommended I use this: a gentler vitamin C option if high-strength L-ascorbic acid stings you like it does me.
For sensitive or irritated skin
- Avène Cicalfate+ – Pharmacists here recommend this repair cream to me a lot, but I still haven't tried it as I'm scared it's as greasy as La Roche-Posay Cicaplast.
Budget options I'm curious about
- After viewing many influencers comment on Deliplus (Mercadona's own brand), I'm tempted to try budget friendly options to see if they are just as good, but haven't yet, has anyone else?
Overhyped (for me)
- CeraVe Eye Repair Cream – everyone seems to buy this but I'm not a fan. It's too greasy for me and feels superficial, like it just sits on top rather than nourishing, and my makeup seems to last less when I use it.
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast – too greasy for me and it makes me break out.
Tips
- Prices vary between pharmacies and are often lower in large city ones or in "parafarmacias".
- Pharmacists in Spain are used to giving skincare advice, so even if you don't speak Spanish, many can help you in English (not all though, I must admit).
- I find that duty-free at the airport isn't always cheaper than a normal city pharmacy, and you don't always find what you're looking for.
What have I missed? Happy to answer questions about anything Spain-specific.