I Tried A313, the Viral French Retinol Celebrities Are Obsessed With

Get the Full StoryThis summer, I was able to visit Paris for a work trip. When I was making a list of all of the things I wanted to do while I was there, there was one item that sat extremely high - and it's probably not what you think. No, I didn't want to visit any museums or shop for luxury items - I wanted to check out the French pharmacies.

I had visited the city once prior in 2017, but it was during the winter months and I spent most of my time sitting in my hotel room eating room service. Between my first trip and this recent one, my skin-care game has gotten way better. For years, I had been hearing about a product that was touted as the French girl's secret to perfect skin: A313 Vitamin A Pommade 39 .

If you have spent any time on skin-care TikTok or skin-care subreddits, you're probably familiar with A313 or you at least recognize the unassuming white tube that looks like it could be housing diaper rash cream. However, the pomade, which is loved by celebrities like Sienna Miller and Sophia Bush, is actually a game-changer.

"A313 is a French pharmacy product containing retinyl palmitate vitamin A palmitate ," says board-certified dermatologist Kunal Malik, MD. "The formulation is in a petroleum-based vehicle, so it creates an occlusive effect and can potentially enhance penetration of the active." It's great for anyone experiencing acne or who wants to combat signs of aging. Read: me.

I've been using it for almost 6 months now, so keep scrolling to read my full review and find out whether or not it worked for me.

About the A313 Retinol

This product is a lightweight pomade that promises to help with acne, hyperpigmentation, and other skin-care concerns.

It's formulated for all skin types.

The key ingredient is retinyl palmitate, which aids cell turnover and helps increase collagen production.

It is unscented.

What I Like About the A313 Retinol

This product has been a complete game-changer for my skin-care routine. I had stopped using retinol products altogether because I was nervous about how they were affecting my skin, but I've had nothing but success with this product. I started using it immediately after I purchased it while still in Paris, and my obsession was instantaneous. I normally find that retinol products dry out my skin, but because this is in a pomade form, I don't have any issues with that whatsoever. I actually wake up with skin that looks like it's glowing - almost as if I did a combination of retinol and slugging.

It's helped with the texture of my skin a ton, and it's absolutely amazing for getting rid of pesky zits overnight. I'm not kidding when I say there have been countless times when I've slathered this product onto my zit before going to bed, only to have it completely disappear the next morning.

How to Use the A313 Retinol

This product is meant to be used only at night, on clean, dry skin. Start out by taking a small amount and warming it up in your hands or between your fingertips, then apply it to the face.

I use this product in one of two ways. I like to apply it directly over my entire face, placing a tiny glob on my forehead and both cheeks before rubbing it in. Or, I use it as a spot treatment. If I'm experiencing a large pimple, I like to start out using my Ziip GX Microcurrent Device in the "problem-solver" mode, which helps with acne. From there, I slather on a layer of the A313 pomade, and when I wake up, I'm usually zit-free.

What to Consider Before Trying the A313 Retinol

One thing to note prior to purchasing this product is that it is a pomade, which means it's on the thicker side, and it has a sticky consistency to it. For me, it's similar to sleeping with a product like Vaseline or Aquaphor all over my face. If you're a side sleeper, just know that you will get this product all over your pillowcase. I would suggest opting for a thin layer at first, just until you get used to the consistency. I sleep on my back for the most part, but there have been a few mornings where I've woken up to a stained pillow.

A313 might be best suited for retinoid beginners or those with sensitive skin. "Retinyl palmitate needs to undergo three steps to become retinoic acid the active form , which makes it generally less potent than prescription retinoids or even over-the-counter retinol, " Dr. Malik says. I have sensitive, acne-prone, reactive skin, and I am able to use this product nightly without any issues.

Where the A313 Retinol Is Available

The A313 Vitamin A Pommade is available directly on FrenchPharmacy.com and at pharmacies in France. It's also available to purchase through TikTok shop.

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Renee Rodriguez she her is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.

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