Rarely do I succumb to a TikTok beauty product recommendation. But the A313 Vitamin A pomade was in my orbit long before social media claimed it; for years many of my US editor friends and go-to beauty experts have raved about its effects on skin. So now that my algorithm is being fed an endless amount of French pharmacy hauls, I finally made it a goal to brave the Paris summer crowds at the Pharmacie Citypharma on 26 Rue du Four to buy my first tube.
To my surprise, the French don’t actually consider A313 an anti-aging skin-care product. As Natacha Bonjout, French pharmacist and founder of Bonjout Beauty, explains, it has been used for decades as more of a functional medicine. “The reality is more nuanced,” Bonjout says. “The product is old, but the story around it is new.”
But thanks to America’s fascination with French pharmacy culture, the product has gotten a new life on social media. Whether intended or not, it has become the skin-care symbol of French beauty. “It feels like an insider secret,” Bonjout goes on to say. “So, I don’t think [US] consumers are only buying A313; they’re buying into the idea of French pharmacy.”
A313 Retinol Cream
- Why We Love It: One of the few viral products that really lives up to its internet hype, this cream does it all. It gently exfoliates the skin to reveal a more radiant complexion and smoother texture, boosts collagen production for firmer skin, and helps with pesky breakouts. Though it is an occlusive gel-like cream, it absorbs easily and doesn’t feel too heavy on the skin. It’s great as a spot treatment, or you can use it all over in thin layers; it works however you want to use it.
- Key Ingredients: Retinyl esters, archis hypogaea oil, tocopherol
- Type: Occlusive gel-cream
- Size: 1.76 oz.
About A313
As mentioned before, technically speaking, A313 is an inexpensive medical ointment. Paris-based esthetician Sophie Carbonari explains that it was created to soothe irritation and help the skin barrier heal, not to target any anti-aging concerns. It’s made with a vitamin A derivative called retinyl esters, which very gently smooths uneven texture. It also has an occlusive gel-like texture, to help lock in moisture. Now A313 has now become a go-to retinoid for anyone looking for firmer, brighter, and clearer skin—at least in the US market.
“What’s happening in the US is a lovely bit of reinvention,” Carbonari says. “People have discovered it for its retinol content and given it a second life as an anti-aging balm. In France, it was never worn for that. Here it has always been a gentle pharmacy staple, quietly kept on hand for irritated skin.”
Besides the moisturizing feel of the cream (when used in thin layers, it feels lightweight and great on skin), the results speak for themselves. Many claim smoother and brighter skin in just a matter of weeks without the irritation other retinols might come with. “Its charm lies in its restraint,” she adds. “That’s really what has made the product so beloved.”
My Experience With A313
I break out in the exact same spot on my chin every month. It’s a deep, red hormonal pimple that comes out in sync with my menstrual cycle (or whenever I’m stressed and getting next to no sleep). When one of my breakouts coincided with my go-to mandelic acid serum running it out, I figured I should try the A313 cream I bought from that trip to Paris. It turned out to be one of the best skin decisions I’ve ever made.
After spot-treating it for a couple of days, that pimple was noticeably less red and had reduced significantly in size; no longer was it the most dominant thing on my face. After a few weeks and spreading the cream all over my face, I noticed my skin looked more radiant, and felt softer and firmer. After a few months, people kept commenting on how good my skin has been looking. There was even a short period of time where I was dealing with some milia under both my eyes. I reached for this and applied a very thin layer in my undereye area to help exfoliate, and the milia for the most part went away. Even though it was never intended to be used for these skin concerns, I’m glad I used it anyway. It’s my miracle worker.