Photos courtesy of French Farmacie.
Founded by Tricia Marlowe, French Farmacie brings the beauty and simplicity of French pharmacies to Westchester and beyond.
Beauty routines today can use an abundance of products. A lot of those products are oftentimes unnecessary and contain an array of unfamiliar ingredients. This is where French Farmacie – a young indie skincare brand – comes into play.
French Farmacie founder Tricia Marlowe says, “I struggled with infertility and I just started questioning everything I was putting in and on my body.” She adds, “I thought it was my fault.”
As she began researching ingredients and watching what she put in and on her body, she took a trip to Indonesia that highlighted the struggles of the environment and how they connected to beauty routines.
It was in Indonesia that she witnessed firsthand the ocean plastic pollution crisis. She notes, “At that moment, I realized that if I was going to bring a brand to this world, I needed to make sure that we contributed positively.”
She used her background in biotech and healthcare and partnership with a Harvard-trained chemist to develop science-driven formulations to create French Farmacie. The brand contributes to its mission of natural beauty with a minimalistic skincare routine and is a 1% for the Planet member, helping nonprofit partners who are looking at climate change and how it affects marginalized communities.
Marlowe adds in relation to the French Farmacie mission, “When we consciously develop the beauty within ourselves, we can really have a beautiful impact on the world.”
The Products
French Farmacie currently sells two products, including the Élixir Exfoliant and Sérum Radiant, with more to come. In relation to the brand’s mission, its chic and sustainable products are made from recycled packaging and utilize upcycled, unrefined certified-organic ingredients.
The Élixir Exfoliant is a gentle yet effective exfoliator accompanied by a 100% organic cotton French Farmacie muslin cloth.
Marlowe says, “Personally I’ve struggled with skin issues as a teen and still to this day.” She adds, “However, I realized in my 20s that I was over-exfoliating thinking that would help my skin.” The Élixir Exfoliant uses natural AHAs and fruit enzymes to exfoliate and brighten the skin without over-exfoliating.”
“It goes on like your favorite serum or face oil,” says Marlowe, noting that some key ingredients include caviar lime, papaya, hibiscus sabdariffa, and rice bran.
This award-winning “face oil meets serum” uses essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants to nourish, moisturize, and firm stressed skin.
Some of its key ingredients include camellia oleifera, Australian sandalwood, black cumin, and black currant, among others.
How to Use at Home
Élixir Exfoliant
After washing and drying the face, apply a full dropper to the skin. Leave it on for 10 to 30 minutes. Wet the French Farmacie muslin cloth in warm water and use it in circular motions on the skin until the cloth is clean. Repeat one to three times a week for best results.
Sérum Radiant
After washing the face and keeping it slightly damp, press or massage three to six drops onto the face and neck. Do this morning and night.
The products are so versatile, you could even use the Élixir Exfoliant as a lip mask or the Sérum Radiant as a cuticle oil, a way to tame flyaway hairs, or a highlighter to mix in with your favorite foundation or tinted moisturizer.
Founder of Coterie Global, Ellen Maguire, adds, “The feedback I get from professional makeup artists who work with top celebrities note the sensorial element of the products.” The versatility and convenience when traveling with the products add to the sensorial and simplistic feeling of the French Farmacie beauty routine.
French Farmacie products can be found on the brand’s website and in multiple retail partnerships across the U.S., including Duchess in Bedford and Scout in Pound Ridge, two stores by Jenn Streicher, a celebrity makeup artist who relocated from Los Angeles to Bedford in 2021.
Marlowe says, “I’ve taken to Westchester County since I’ve been there a few times now and I love it. It’s so beautiful there, so it’s really exciting to introduce French Farmacie to that community.”
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