10 Leading Skincare Brands In Foreign Pharmacies - Part 5

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Australia’s🇦🇺 skincare brands focus on clean, natural, gentle ingredients along with sun protection. Australians live closer to the sun and receive up to 15% more solar UV rays than Europeans. Daily sunscreen use is vital to prevent skin cancer.

Below are 5 Top Austrian Skincare Brands found in Aussie pharmacies:

1) Go-To Skincare is known for its simple, effective,

 skincare to nourish and protect the skin. 

2) Alpha-H is famous for its Liquid Gold, a powerful glycolic acid exfoliating treatment.

3) Ultra Violette is a leader in SPF sun protection for the face and body.

4) Lanolips uses sustainable, natural lanolin to make super-hydrating lip, hand, and body balms, such as its popular 101 Ointment.

5) Frank Body gained cult status with its coffee scrubs and has a full range of uncomplicated, natural body and skincare products that use coffee as a main ingredient.

Other key brands include: Naked Sundays, QV Skincare, Bondi Sands, Grown Alchemist, and Rationale.

The skincare of Ireland🇮🇪 centers on local organic seaweed, botanicals, and sustainable practices. Products are developed to treat sensitive skin, anti-aging, and natural wellness.

☘️🏰 🍀

Ireland’s 5 Top Skincare Brands popular with locals are:

1) Pestle & Mortar (Co. Kildare) goes by the names Codex Beauty and Bia. Natural extracts and active ingredients go into making its skincare.

2) Collection (Co. Cork) formulates organic, scientifically backed hydration for sensitive skin.

3) Green Angel (Co. Dublin) contains organic seaweed harvested from the west coast of Ireland.

4) Kinvara Skincare makes vegan and plant-based, natural products.

5) Seabody is a luxury skincare brand that uses sustainably sourced seaweed from the Atlantic coastline.

Other key brands include: Ground Wellbeing, Dublin Herbalists, Nunaia Beauty, and Skingredients.

With Ireland, our 10th featured country, we complete our series of 50 top skincare brands used by the natives of each country. Whose skincare would you most like to try?

Update: As an afterthought, I wrote an extra blog for my international readers who wish to know what leading skincare brands they’d find in US drugstores. Publishing on Monday!

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10 Leading Skincare Brands In Foreign Pharmacies - Part 4

Sweden🇸🇪 is known for the high-quality ingredients in its skincare, which is also wrapped in sustainable, minimalist packaging. The formulas are made to calm and protect the skin from cold, harsh climates. 

5 Top Skincare brands popular in Sweden include:

1) Verso, which has a patented Retinol 8 complex, said to be 8 times more effective than standard retinol and with less irritation.

2) L:A Bruket offers organic, sea-based, spa-inspired products for the bath, body, and face.

3) Björk & Berries is a sustainable luxury brand that makes skincare serums, lotions, and creams from birch leaves and the vegetation -- flowers, herbs, shrubs -- that grow in the Nordic forests.

4) Estelle & Thild formulates pure, bio-active, and organic skincare without toxins and pesticides. 

5) Woods Copenhagen - is clean, natural skincare containing Nordic ingredients like birch bark and sea buckthorn, all of it created to nourish and protect the skin.

Other key brands are True Organic of Sweden and Ida Warg.

Denmark’s🇩🇰 skincare is similar to that of its Nordic neighbor, Sweden. It also emphasizes minimalism, sustainability, and all-natural, high-performance ingredients often sourced from its own Nordic region. 

5 Top Danish Skincare Brands are:

1) Ole Henrikson has antioxidant-rich products like its top-selling True Serum to brighten the skin.

2) Nuori strives for freshness by blending small batches of products with natural ingredients every 10 - 12 weeks.

3) Woods Copenhagan mixes clean Nordic ingredients like
plants and berries with modern science.

4) Kjaer Weis, a luxury brand, makes certified organic and sustainable skincare. 

5) Ecooking uses simple, pure, organic, and locally sourced ingredients that are easy to recognize and pronounce. Founder Tina Søgaard, who worked in the beauty industry for years, began mixing her own skincare in her kitchen using raw, unpolluted, effective ingredients. Called food for the skin, each of her products, from scrubs and lotions to creams and her special Multi Oil™, is designed to target a specific skin issue. So clean, her formulas are perfectly safe to eat!

Other key brands are Rudolph Care, Beautè Pacifique, and Tromborg.

Return to this space next Thursday for part 5, the finale of our skincare in foreign pharmacies series. Guess the last 2 countries I'll feature. Hint, hint: Trish of The Red Cardinal lives in one country.

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10 Leading Skincare Brands In Foreign Pharmacies - Part 3

Sundrug in Tokyo

Asian countries have innovative and advanced skincare. Without a doubt, I'd be especially excited to browse the aisles of the 2 countries below:

Japan🇯🇵 is known for concentrating on hydration, sun protection, and using gentle, effective ingredients.

5 Top Skincare Brands Popular in Japan include:

1) Shiseido is arguably the most famous Japanese skincare beauty line globally. A luxury brand, it sells its makeup under the name Clé de Peau Beauté and its sun protection under the Anessa name. Superior quality, whatever it calls itself.

2) Sk-II is renowned for its signature ingredient, Pitera, a fermented yeast, extracted to improve skin texture, firmness, and a healthy glow.

3) Hada Labo specializes in intense hydration. The brand's famous skin laboratory mixes, not one, but multiple types of hyaluronic acid, which is sold at affordable prices.

4) DHC is an affordable label popular for combining traditional Japanese ingredients with modern science. The brand’s Deep Cleansing Oil is world-famous!

5) Blorè is known for some of the best high-protection, light-weight sunscreens ever sold, like its UV Aqua Rich Water Essence. Sunscreen is the skin's #1 anti-aging tool!

Other key brands are Kose Sekkisel, Tatcha, Melano CC, Curèl, and Cure.

South Korea🇰🇷 is renowned for having the most advanced skincare products on earth. The South Koreans are 20–30 years ahead of the rest of the world due to their innovative research and development, rapid trend cycles, and focus on preventative care. K-Beauty zeros in on a gentle approach, hydration, barrier protection, and prevention through top-notch, natural ingredients such as snail mucin and ginseng, selling at low prices. Its skincare is world-famous for achieving a healthy, glass skin appearance.🎉💥🎆

The Top 5 South Korean Skincare Brands are: 🎉🥳🎊

1) COSRX is known for using snail mucin and clearing imperfections.

2) Beauty of Joseon combines traditional herbal medicine (known as Hanbang) with modern science. The Dynasty Cream is a bestseller!

3) Laneige is known internationally for its advanced hydration in its creams, lotions, and lip sleeping masks.

4) Sulwasoo is a luxury brand known for its ginseng anti-aging serums and holistic skincare.

5) Anua makes soothing, clean formulas like its calming Hearleaf toner.

Other key brands include Medicube, Blodance, and Skin1004.*ੈ✩‧₊˚

If you want to learn more, please return to this space next Monday for part 4 in our 5 part skincare series. Which 2 countries will I feature next? Try to guess ... and stay tuned!

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10 Leading Skincare Brands In Foreign Pharmacies - Part 2

In Germany🇩🇪 skincare brands balance science, botanicals, and luxury. 5 Top Brands found in German pharmacies, favored by the locals include:

1) Augustinus Barder, a beauty luxury label that uses patented stem-cell technology (TFC8) to repair cell tissue.

2) Dr. Barbara Sturm, a beauty line famous for its anti-inflammatory ingredients and "vampire facials.”

3) Babor, a professional brand that pioneered sealed glass capsules of concentrated active ingredients to treat specific skin issues.

4) Weleda, established in 1921, is famous worldwide for its nourishing Skin Food cream.

5) Dr. Hauschka is a pioneer of natural, holistic beauty sourced from plants and herbs.

Other key brands include Balea, No Cosmetics, and Isana. Beiersdorf AG, a Hamburg company, created ♥Nivea cream in the blue tin in 1911♥ and turned it into a centuries-old global brand. If not in a tin, it’s not the original formula.

France🇫🇷  commonly infuses its skincare with thermal spring water, antioxidant-rich grapes, and botanicals to nourish and pamper the skin. The French like to cultivate an elegant image.

5 Top French Skincare Brands widely used in France are:

1) LaRoche-Posay formulates its skincare for sensitive skin using mineral-rich thermal spring water. Its Cicapliast Baume B5 is a cult favorite.

2) Bioderma aims to infuse the skin with micellar water (Sensibio H20).

3) Avène specializes in thermal spring water to soothe hyper-sensitive and dry skin.

4) Caudalie uses grape-seed antioxidants in its anti-aging skincare products. The retailer's Beauty Elixir is popular.

5) Nuxe combines botanicals with luxury. Huile Prodigieuse is its famous nourishing oil for the face, body, and hair.

Other key brands are Embrolisse (its Lait-Crème Concentrate is a cult favorite), Vichy,  and A313.

Part 3 of our 5 part series will be published next Thursday. Can you guess the other countries (10 in total) to be featured?

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10 Leading Skincare Brands In Foreign Pharmacies - Part 1

Browsing in international pharmacies is fun! Let’s begin a series of 5 blogs, each blog featuring 2 countries, listing the 5 leading or top brands of skincare that are popular with the locals in that country:

Great Britain🇬🇧 likes to blend botanicals with science in its formulas. The UK beauty industry centers on high-performance and anti-aging ingredients. 

5 Top British Brands are:

1) Elemis is a leader in luxury skincare. The Liberty Beauty Calendar always includes its items. Best sellers are its cleansing balms and anti-aging serums.

2) Medik8 is a science-led skincare line for anti-aging items. It is known for its Vitamin C lotions and sunscreen for day and Vitamin A potions at night.

3) Pai Skincare targets sensitive and acne-prone skin with remedies.

4) Osia is a luxury brand offering formulas that support the cellular health of the skin.

5) BYOMA is an affordable brand containing ceramides to moisturize and protect the skin barrier.

Other key bands include UpCircle, Ren Clean Skincare, and Evolve Beauty.

Canada🇨🇦 is known for its high-quality ingredients and innovations in skincare.

♥The Ordinary, called the disruptor in the beauty industry for its science-based, affordable skincare, was founded in Toronto, Canada, in 2016 by Brandon Truaxe, so I’m placing it before Canada's list as an extra, though I didn’t see it listed in any of my research! Due to its low price point, it’s widely used in the USA, and I bet in Canada too.♥

Five of Canada’s Top Skincare Brands used by Canadians follow:

1) Skinfix is known for its barrier-repairing moisturizers and lotions.

2) Three Ships Beauty offers plant-based skincare with 100% clean ingredients found in nature.

3) Reversa treats anti-aging with ingredients like glycolic acid at prices that won’t empty a wallet.

4) Province Apothecary uses certified organic ingredients in its entire line for a clean beauty routine.

5) Sahajan combines traditional Ayurvedic practices with modern science in its skincare.

Other key brands include Graydon Skincare, Nudestix, and Rocky Mountain Soup.

After you are introduced to 50 new skincare brands found in foreign pharmacies, you'll be familiar with them should they land in the aisles at T.J. Maxx, which, due to its amazing buyers, often happens.

Stay tuned for Parts 2 - 5 of our series on THE SAVVY SHOPPER.

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Should You Buy Fine Jewelry Today?

Don’t get me wrong, I like quality and looking polished and coordinated, but I’m not a luxury bag, shoes, or apparel maven. Fine jewelry is my luxury temptation of choice, which is just as much of a luxury buy as a Hermès handbag. Therefore, who am I to judge? We don’t buy luxury goods because we need them, but because we want, ummm, love them, and they are not true investments like a stock portfolio.

Fortunately, I have a small capsule (not a collection) of fine jewelry, gifts I got for a special birthday or graduation, or a few pieces I saved up to buy as a wage earner over the years.

But would I advise buying fine jewelry at today’s prices? Sadly, I don’t think so. Like Chanel bags, Dior frocks, or Christian Louboutin heels, fine jewelry is significantly marked up in response to demand, and let's call it, created perceptions of greater value. Additionally, today we are being charged thousands of dollars for not a lot of gold. Skimpy chains, bands, and bracelets have gotten shockingly expensive!

IMHO, these 3 bracelets from Brilliant Earth are gorgeous ... what a classy stack! Would you like to know how much it would cost a customer to buy them? Here’s the breakdown in US dollars ...

Sol Starburst Diamond 7” Bracelet (1/8 ct. wt) in 14k yellow gold. Cost: $3,595

Diamond Flexible Tennis Bangle Bracelet (1 1/3 ct. tw.) in 18K White Gold $3,595

Sol Slim 6.5 In. Bracelet in 14K Yellow Gold. Cost:$2,350

Total cost before taxes: $9,540 

Such a tidy sum is not practical for an average wage earner, despite the lovely aesthetics. The individual bracelets are not the thickest!

In fact, the price of gold has hit record highs of over $4,700 per ounce at this time. Driven by geopolitical tensions and central bank buying, gold has experienced a sharp long-term upward trend. 

THE SAVVY SHOPPER will continue to feature fine jewelry as it’s too pretty not to, but as a value shopper, I can’t in good faith tell anyone to splurge on it. You’ll have to decide for yourself whether or not to empty your bank account. 

Oh, my goodness, 6 bangles would double the tab! If I were to spend $9,540+ on jewelry, I would spend it on a single piece with the biggest single diamond I could buy, rather than a stack with multiple single diamonds, because a bigger diamond would be easier to sell on the pre-loved market if the owner absolutely needed money.*

With graduations and weddings in the future, what are your thoughts on buying fine jewelry at today’s prices? Is it worth it?!?

*BTW: Bigger gemstones are rarer (so cost more) than small diamonds. Tennis bracelets are pricey because of demand + the price of gold + the color of the diamonds must match, and a ton of diamonds are sifted through to find matching colors. {Clean Origins is known to own its own diamonds and offer above-average customer service. This blog is not sponsored.} 

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Happy Easter 2026

Another winter is over in the Western Hemisphere, and spring has arrived! We have persevered and overcome! Easter celebrates tenacity over trials with the hope of new beginnings! 

St. Paul the Apostle Church, a New York City Landmark, sits next to Lincoln Center. In early December, when Lincoln Center hosts its White Light Festival to celebrate the arts, the event turns into a big block party with live music, theater, and dance. St. Paul the Apostle Church participates by opening its doors with priests serving hot chocolate to the public. It’s a warm, welcoming chance to come inside out of the cold and walk around the church's majestic interior. Of course, Easter Sunday is a house of worship's biggest celebration. My friend, Carolyn, belongs to this church and sings in its choir, and her friend, Debbie, puts in a few appearances, usually for special events. The clergy is, without fail, welcoming and lovely to all who enter. They never ask you where you’ve been!😊

Talk about the Lamb of God, here’s an especially cute one!

Let's finish off with a joyful baby duckling who is wearing his Easter “bonnet" of rabbit ears.  

Happy Easter, Everyone!✝  

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Face Primer With SPF 30

Today I’m revealing a skincare secret, which frankly I’ve never kept a secret. Often, people tell me I have beautiful skin, which I appreciate before blurting out my secret, so they, too, can have beautiful skin. I've never used foundation because it doesn’t feel clean. To me, wearing foundation feels like I have a film of goop or a mask on my face. Instead, after washing my face in the morning, I apply L’Oreal’s Miracle Blurr with SPF 30. But! For some insane reason (which I’ll discuss below), L’Oreal has discontinued it, forcing me to reluctantly find a replacement UV face primer.

The Miracle Blurr gel with SPF 30, all 1.7 ounces of it, sold for $19.99, and I often scored deals to pay even less. Right now, I have 1/5 of the gel left in my very last tube of Miracle Blurr that I’m using up.

So what makes Miracle Blurr an excellent combination of skincare and cosmetics? It's what I’m looking for in whatever I find next to replace it:

1) The ease of applying the gel saves me time in my morning routine by creating a smooth canvas on my face with a matte finish.

2) The SPF 30 is my anti-aging secret, shielding my face every day of the year from the sun's harmful rays.

3) The matte finish prevents shine and blurs pores and fine lines (which is the makeup part). I could apply it either under or over my under-eye coverstick, blush, and powder. Usually under.

4) The gel extends the endurance of any makeup I might wear. It prevents coverstick, blush, or powder from fading during the day or evening, so I didn’t have to freshen up as often.

Oh, for crying out loud, what replacement face primer with SPF 30 has all of these same benefits? Already I've discovered that many face primers do not come: (1) in a soothing gel that disappears into the skin, (2) with sun protection, (3) in a bigger size, (4) and with the same affordable price point! I must grin and bear the size and price adjustments, but won’t compromise on the SPF 30 or the matte finish! No, no, never, never, un, un, un!

I aim to try the following face primers with SPF 30 until I find the one I like the most, and hopefully, I’ll find it before buying all of them!

I’m not looking to add another face cream to my routine, but if the tubes don’t work out, I’ll move on to these 5-in-1 face primer promises in a jar choices.

Finally, I’ve discovered that L’Oreal’s parent company continues to sell face primer gel with sun protection in its pricer sister Lancome line at $45 for 1 ounce. I can’t help wondering if Miracle Blurr SPF 30 at $19.99 for 1.7 ounces was discontinued because the retailer wants to make more profit!?! Was $20 too puny a sum, huh? Ironically, a formula of Lancome was the face matte gel I started with years ago, before switching to the cheaper and excellent drugstore brand L’Oreal Miracle Blurr.

If you use a face primer with SPF 30 to recommend, please do! The first brand I’m testing is the👆 top image from Neutrogena.

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