Low-key but marvelous lotion with Vitamin A / 1.7 oz

BioRecept Lyco’Vitamine A is the current favorite product of its creator, master formulator Anne Dupouy-Camet. (Which is saying something, given that she’s a pharmacist at Parisian paean to the skincare gods CityPharma.)

Anne originally developed this lightweight lotion to mimic the effect of cult French pharmacy favorites Avibon and A313, but without the greasiness: while those products can feel a little bit like sticky Vaseline, this one absorbs like a dream on all skin types, with a subtle, phthalate-free, sensitive skin friendly, apricot-like scent that we love. 

Like Avibon and A313, Lyco’Vitamine A treats skin to a gentle dose of vitamin A, enough to improve skin’s firmness over time but not nearly enough to cause the flaking or irritation you’ll often find with a prescription retinol. It also includes a hefty amount of hyaluronic acid, whose penetration is enhanced by the vitamin A in the formula for even greater hydrating, healing, and collagen/elastin boosting capabilities. Lycopene adds an antioxidant boost, and aloe, glycerin, sunflower seed, and sweet almond oils create a beautifully light, crave-worthy texture, which is everything we’d expect from .

Use at night only. You can apply a smaller amount (2 pumps) on combination-oily skin types or as a layer underneath your favorite moisturizer — or slather on twice that amount for a treatment/moisturizer in one like we did during testing: we're believers and noticed its positive effects on hyperpigmentation, too. It doesn’t pack the retinol punch of the , but it’s an excellent choice for those who want to experience the skin-firming benefits of Vitamin A in a balanced, very French kind of way. They do moderation so well, don’t they?