When it comes to countries known for high-end, luxury beauty products, the French tend to be the first to come to mind. From legendary brands like Caudalie, La Roche-Posay and Lancôme to their reputation of being at the forefront of fashion and beauty trends, beauty lovers like myself have always had a love for French culture. Last month, I traveled to Paris for the first time, and it is safe to say that the picture in my head of France as the hub of all things luxurious beauty lived up to the expectation.
While on my trip, I had the pleasure of making a stop at the renowned French apothecary Officine Universelle Buly after seeing an array of TikToks raving about the locations top-notch products and customizable packaging. My main goal on this visit was to get a lip balm customized with my initials on it like I’d seen online, but upon entering the gorgeously antique building, I was immediately taken by the selection of face oils on the chic, marble counter. I asked one of the employees which of their dozens of serums would help with the dull, dry skin I’d been facing as a result of the summer sun and heat, and she recommended me the Apricot Kernel Oil ($20). Though I didn’t know much about apricot kernel oil’s benefit to the skin, I decided to give the apothecary’s specially curated oil a try, and I’m never looking back.
I’ll admit—before this product, I was never a huge face oil person, as I’m super particular about texture, but one of the first things I loved about the Apricot Kernel Oil was that the formula is thick enough to coat the skin and leave it feeling endlessly refreshed, but it isn’t sticky or slimy. I’ve been applying the oil at the end of my routine in the morning and again before bed, and I love how the product gives me an immediate glow to accompany me throughout my day, but also makes my skin noticeably softer and more radiant with extended use.
In terms of how it works, the proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the apricot. The high concentration of vitamin A within the fruit’s kernel oil aids in cell renewal while also enhancing the natural, pink color of the cheeks to create a radiant, healthy glow. The rich quantity of oleic acid within the formula also provides powerful anti-aging benefits by restoring the elasticity of the skin tissue. Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil is the only ingredient in this natural plant oil so I always feel confident using it knowing that it’s putting only the good stuff into my skin.
Needless to say, my trip to Officine Universelle Buly exceeded my expectations, and using this natural oil twice a day for just a week has made the biggest difference in my once dull and tired skin. If you’re looking for a wholesome, effective product to treat any of your specific skin needs, I recommend looking through the apothecary’s wide variety of skin issue-specific formulas ASAP.
