The A313 Vitamin A Pomade. The Bioderma Micellar Water. Biafine. The obsession with French pharmacies has introduced American travelers to some of the best beauty finds. But what does the U.S. have to offer visitors in return? Well, it’s not a skincare, hair, or makeup product that tourists stock up on while browsing the aisles of CVS and Walgreens. The hottest American item flying off pharmacy shelves (even giving ranch dressing a run for its money) is actually a supplement: melatonin, to be exact.

“It’s the best supplement for sleep help,” says Scott, who is visiting the U.S. from Edinburgh, Scotland for this year’s World Cup. Scott usually stocks up on melatonin pills for himself and his mom during his trips to the U.S.—about 120 pills from Walgreens will typically last until his next visit.

“I tend to buy just enough to have a supply if I need it, but my mom relies on it a lot more,” he tells Vogue. “She now swears by it, saying she gets the best sleep she’s had in decades from it.”

The appeal of melatonin

With promises of relaxation and better sleep, melatonin is one of the most popular supplements. It’s also heavily regulated and restricted by governments in other parts of the world. In places like the United Kingdom and Australia, for example, you can’t get melatonin without a prescription, which makes its easy availability in the U.S. incredibly appealing.

“It’s pretty crazy to me that something you can buy in gummy bear form in the States is basically contraband here,” says Annika Wang, a London-based publicist and former New York City resident. Since moving across the Atlantic, Wang tells Vogue she’s been stocking up on many U.S. items, with melatonin gummies at the top of the list.

Celebrity stylist Holly White also makes sure to bring this supplement home to help her body recover after long travel days. “For me, it’s the only thing that works and helps get through jet lag quickly,” says White. “Which is a game changer when you travel a lot and have a baby at home.”

But such easy access to a supplement that’s heavily regulated elsewhere shouldn’t be a cause for concern. Amanda Kahn, MD, a primary care doctor and longevity expert, explains that melatonin has an excellent safety record for most adults and is widely recognized internationally for its role in our circadian health. The difference in accessibility has more to do with regulatory beliefs than with the dangers of taking the supplement. “The difference is less about its safety and whether it works, and more about who should oversee access to it,” says Dr. Kahn.

To stay safe, whether you’re from the U.S. or just visiting, she says it’s always a good idea to be informed about any supplement you take. “Patients shouldn’t take doses that are too high, or think more is better,” she advises. “And they should make sure the supplement they’re getting is third-party tested.”

Read labels carefully, choose products with reputable third-party testing (she lists USP or NSF as good ones to look for), and be sure to consult a doctor with any questions or concerns.

Other American pharmacy treasures to buy

Like any good haul, you need to buy more than just one item. Another popular thing people like to stock up on during their travels is the trusty Tide To Go Stain Remover Pens. Diego Portillo, Vogue’s visual editor, was first introduced to them by his American partner. After seeing firsthand how well they removed salsa stains, he went on a hunt to find more in Mexico City once the pen ran out. “We looked for replacements everywhere,” Portillo says. “They’ve become a must-buy item every time we travel to the U.S. now. We don’t fly back without a mandatory CVS trip to stock up on To Go Pens (and a bag or two of Gardetto’s).”

Both White and Lily Hough, partnerships director at lifestyle PR company Gemma Bell & Company, agree this is a must-buy, and both make sure to grab at least two pens before heading back home to the UK. “I can never be too prepared on a press tour, and I love to go and see what”I’m always looking for new solutions to keep in my kit,” says White. “You never know what styling challenges might come up.”

“I’m the biggest klutz and manage to spill everything on myself. My friend and colleague Lois, who’s just as clumsy, couldn’t stop raving about them, so now I always keep one in my bag for the next inevitable mess,” adds Hough.

Other popular items that visitors love to stock up on include Crest 3D White Strips, Advil, Excedrin, and ibuprofen. Wang notes that while over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen are available in London for a fraction of the price you’d pay in America, they don’t seem to work as well. “I didn’t feel they were as effective as my go-to medications back home,” she says. “Now I make sure to stock up on them whenever I’m in the States.”

So don’t write off American pharmacies just yet. What they may lack in advanced beauty formulas or shiny new ingredients, they make up for in other helpful ways that make our days a little easier. And tastier, if ranch dressing is important to you.

Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Forget French

BeginnerLevel Questions

1 What exactly is Forget French
Its a nickname for the trend where international tourists buy large quantities of overthecounter drugs skincare and hygiene products from American pharmacies like CVS Walgreens or Target to take back to their home countries

2 Why are people forgetting French products
Because many visitors find that American pharmacies offer a wider variety of products stronger formulations and significantly lower prices compared to similar items in their home countries

3 What kinds of products are tourists stocking up on
Common items include
Pain relievers
Allergy meds
Acne treatments
Sunscreen
Cold and flu remedies
Dental care

4 Is it legal to buy a lot of medicine at an American pharmacy
Generally yes for personal use However you are buying it as a consumer not a wholesaler There is no federal law limiting the quantity you buy in a single transaction but the store manager can refuse a sale if they suspect you are reselling

5 Can I bring all these medicines back home on a plane
Yes for personal use The TSA allows solids in any quantity in carryon or checked bags Liquids must follow the 34 oz rule for carryons However you must also check your home countrys customs laws for import limits

Intermediate Advanced Questions

6 Why do tourists specifically target American pharmacies instead of grocery stores
Because pharmacies in the US are unique retail hubs They combine a drugstore a convenience store and a cosmetics counter Brands