French women have their beauty down pat, with excellent skincare brands all the tools for a perfectly kissable mouth. Too, the army of chic females have a perfectly streamlined wellness regimen, including a hero ingredient I use religiously, arnica. Arnica, a French pharmacy staple, is the extract of a European plant of the same name that has a wide range of healing uses—I bought a tube of arnica gel right before a week-long cross-country roadtrip, and boy am I glad I had its soothing painkilling properties to work magic on my aching back after an eight-hour drive. I asked a doctor to explain how and why it works—and what I can learn from how French women use it.
This $9 French Pharmacy Staple Is My Secret Weapon for Back Pain
And a dermatologist uses it for Botox bruising
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Published Sep 17, 2025
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Photo by Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto via Getty
Meet the Expert
Dr. Dendy Engelman (MD, FACMS, FAAD) is a board-certified dermatologist. She practices at the Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue, and her celebrity clientele includes Sofia Vergara and Sir John, Beyonce’s go-to MUA.
What Is Arnica?
According to Engelman, arnica has been used for centuries as a healing remedy. It’s derived from the sunflower family, specifically the Arnica montana plant that grows in Europe. Arnica is known for pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties and is a trusted homeopathic remedy.
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Other Ways to Use Arnica
I told Engleman about my sore back while driving and how a quick rub of arnica gel after a few hours helped the ache. “Beyond road trips, Boiron’s Arnicare Gel is great to use post-workout to help with soreness, if you’re experiencing a long day on your feet, or the strain from carrying kids or heavy bags. The Roll-On version also offers relief on the go. The applicator has a convenient on/off mode so it’s great to throw in any bag/purse,” she said. Additional topical offerings include like Arnicare Bruise Gel, Arnicare Arthritis Cream and more.
Finally, Are You Getting Botox or Filler? Arnica is Your Best Friend
If, like 42 percent of PureWow readers, you get “tweakments,” you need to know about this ingredient. In her dermatologic practice, Engleman uses arnica to sooth and quiet swollen skin, terming it “a great product to alleviate all kinds of bruises, including after dermatologic injections. My patients love arnica for that exact purpose.”
