Let’s put it this way…if I’m walking down the street and see any pharmacy outside the realm of Duane Reade or CVS, it doesn’t matter where I am headed, I’m making a pit stop.

I wish I knew where my love for skincare products stems from, in all honesty, there could be a lot of possible explanations. A desire for the so-called perfect skin. An aesthetically pleasing bathroom scape filled with beautiful products. Maybe a dialed skincare routine will solve all my issues? Who knows? But all I know is that the pull that niche pharmacies have on me is truly unbreakable.

Living in New York is so incredible for so many reasons, and like my recent post on coffee shops in the big ol’ Apple, I figured that I would release the hidden treasures of the NYC pharmacy world to my lovely readers. So here’s a short list of my absolute NYC pharmacy favorites that give a hint of European pharmacy on an American maximalist level.

If you are obsessed with all things niche toothbrushes, eclectic toiletry bags, and unnecessary skincare purchases that are all so necessary, you’ve come to the right place!

Northside

559 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

I stumbled upon this glorious pharmacy last week with my boyfriend, and when I say wow, I mean it. I will say, as much as I love pharmacies, I can get a tad bored by the array of the same products (amazing products but some variation is much needed in this economy). Northside Pharmacy really impressed me with the sheer amount of products that they fit into this space; floor to ceiling is truly packed to the brim with products that I’ve truly never seen anywhere besides a European pharmacy. If you are in the vicinity, I highly recommend popping by.

C.O. Bigelow

414 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011

It would almost be criminal not to include C.O. Bigelow, even though I risk sounding like an NYC tourist! Not only is Bigelow the oldest pharmacy in America, but it has continued to remain one of the most incredible pharmacies in the country. Carrying extensive lines of everything from niche fragrances, to French-style hair accessories (that yes, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy herself would wear), and the iconic Mason Pearson brushes, C.O. Bigelow is the ultimate black hole of pharmacies. I used to swing by after class last year just because I could spend hours upon upon just exploring the manicured, maximalist space. C.O. Bigelow also has developed their own line of products, many of which popular hotels carry as amenities. If you have a chunk of time to spend somewhere, I’d recommend spending it here.

Zitomer

969 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021

Only Zitomer could get me to justify the 35 minute trip it takes to get to the Upper East Side, and I do it time and time again. This is luxury pharmacy core to the highest level. I saw this lovely store pop up on my Tik Tok homepage, and I immediately was skeptical. It truly seemed too good to be true. But alas, this heavenly, serene, pharmacy does indeed exist. Thus far in my 20 years of life, Zitomer is the only pharmacy I have been to that consists of two stories. On the first level, you have everything a skincare, hair care, everything care junky could ever imagine. But make your way up those two flights of stairs, and a whole scene of Ralph Lauren pajamas, Hanky Panky lingerie, every pattern of tights earthly available, and the sweetest makeup bags you could ever imagine lay just before you. 100/10 for me.