Description
The retinol the French have been using for decades — while the rest of the world was paying ten times more for the same results.
A-313 is one of the most famous products in French pharmacy skincare history. Sold in pharmacies across France for decades in its unmistakable white and blue aluminum tube, it became a global phenomenon when celebrities like Sienna Miller, Alexa Chung, and Gwyneth Paltrow started name-dropping it. Then TikTok found it, and everything changed — hundreds of millions of views, thousands of testimonials, and a global audience discovering what French women already knew.
The key ingredient is Retinyl Palmitate at 200,000 IU per 100g — a gentle retinol ester that delivers the classic benefits of Vitamin A (collagen stimulation, cell turnover, acne control, dark spot reduction) without the dryness, flaking, and irritation that stronger retinoids often cause. French cosmetic biologist Sophie Strobel notes that it is “considered a medication in France” — yet it requires no prescription and costs a fraction of comparable products outside France.
What Retinyl Palmitate Does
Retinyl Palmitate is an ester of Vitamin A that converts to retinoic acid in the skin over three steps — making it the gentlest form of retinoid available over the counter. This slower conversion means less irritation, less peeling, and far fewer of the side effects that put many people off retinol. With consistent use over 4–12 weeks, it delivers:
- ✨ Collagen stimulation
Vitamin A signals skin cells to produce more collagen — visibly reducing fine lines and improving skin density over time. - 🔄 Accelerated cell turnover
Speeds up the skin’s natural renewal cycle, bringing fresher, smoother cells to the surface. The result: a visible glow and softer texture. - 🎯 Acne control
Retinoids unclog pores by preventing the build-up of dead skin cells. A313 helps reduce breakouts without the dryness that harsher retinols cause. - 🌟 Dark spot reduction
By accelerating cell turnover, A313 gradually fades hyperpigmentation, post-acne marks, and sun damage. - 💧 Occlusive moisturization
The pomade (pommade) texture creates a protective layer that seals in hydration — making it excellent for the slugging technique and for sensitive, dry skin.
How to Use A-313
Always use at night — Vitamin A makes skin more sensitive to sunlight. Cleanse and completely dry your face before applying (applying to damp skin increases irritation risk). Take a pea-sized amount and warm between your fingertips before applying a thin layer to the face, avoiding the eye and lip areas. Wash off in the morning and apply SPF.
| Brand | Pharma Développement |
|---|---|
| Full name | A-313 Vitamin A Pommade |
| Size | 50g (aluminum tube) |
| Key active | Retinyl Palmitate 200,000 IU/100g |
| Texture | Thick pomade / ointment |
| Use | Night use only |
| Skin type | All — ideal for sensitive skin new to retinol |
| Origin | Made in France |
Full Ingredient List (INCI)
PEG-8, PEG-75, Polysorbate 80, Arachis Hypogaea (Peanut) Oil, Retinyl Palmitate (200,000 UI/100g), Tocopherol.
The French girl’s retinol secret — in a tube that costs less than a glass of wine in Paris. Start once a week, be patient, and your skin will tell you the rest.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.