Skincare and pharmacy cosmetics in Sharm El Sheikh

Apteka Sharm sells pharmacy skincare in Sharm El Sheikh, from rich moisturisers to face serums and panthenol creams. Brands on our shelves include CeraVe, Eva Skin Clinic, Dr. Rashel, Disaar and Hepta Panthenol.

Sun, salt water and dry indoor air can all leave skin dry on holiday. Our pharmacists speak English, Russian, Ukrainian and Italian, and can help you choose.

Moisturisers for sun-dried skin

Apply a moisturiser after a shower, while your skin is still damp, and again whenever it feels dry. Keep showers short and use warm, not hot, water.

Look for moisturising ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin or urea.

• CeraVe Moisturising Cream is fragrance-free and contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
• Hepta Panthenol creams and lotions contain panthenol (provitamin B5), which attracts water and helps skin stay hydrated. The cream and the light body lotion are both labelled for face and body.

For red, sore skin after the sun, read our sunburn guide first.

Gentle cleansing

Wash your face twice a day and after sweating. Use a gentle cleanser that does not foam and has no alcohol. After a swim in the sea, rinse off the salt with fresh water, then moisturise. Ask us which gentle cleansers are in stock today.

Serums: hyaluronic acid and vitamin C

• Hyaluronic acid holds water well and is used in moisturising serums. We stock Eva Skin Clinic hyaluronic acid face serum. Reactions to it are rare.
• Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Use it in the morning after cleansing, under your sunscreen. It does not replace sunscreen, and visible results take about three months. We stock Disaar vitamin C face oil.

Serums, including those from Dr. Rashel, are cosmetics, not treatments for skin conditions. If a product causes dryness, itching or redness, stop using it.

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin reacts to everyday things, such as soap, make-up or the weather. Choose simple, fragrance-free products without dyes. Natural ingredients, including plant oils, can cause allergies too, so “natural” does not always mean gentle.

Hotel soaps and shampoos can trigger a flare. Show us a photo of your usual product, and we will look for a similar fragrance-free option.

How to patch test

Before you use a new product on your face:

1. Apply a little to clean, dry skin on the inside of your elbow.
2. Repeat on the same spot, as often as you would use the product, for 7 to 10 days.
3. If your skin stays calm, start using it on your face.
4. If redness, itching or a rash appears, wash it off and stop using it.

A rash can take several days to appear, so do not stop the test early.

Choose by skin type

Skin type	Signs	Look for
Dry	Tight, dull or flaky	Gentle cleanser and moisturiser
Oily	Shiny, large pores or spots	“Non-comedogenic” or “oil-free” products
Combination	Oily forehead, nose and chin, drier cheeks	Different products for oily and dry areas
Sensitive	Redness, stinging, burning or itching	Fragrance-free products without dyes
Normal	Neither tight nor oily	Daily cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen

Skin type can change with the seasons, so yours may behave differently in Sharm.

When a rash needs a doctor

If a rash appears, stop using any new product and do not put cosmetic creams on it. See a doctor if a rash:

• comes with fever, joint pain or a sore throat
• shows signs of infection, such as red streaks, swelling or very tender skin
• gets worse, keeps coming back or lasts longer than three weeks
• affects your eyes or mouth

Need help in Sharm?

WhatsApp us or call +20 120 344 2201. Cosmetics may not carry a printed official price, so you can check the price before you buy. We have 5 pharmacies across Sharm and offer free hotel delivery on orders from $30.