Drugstore must-haves in UK & Denmark?
April 3, 2024 9:09 AM Subscribe
I'll shortly be in London & Copenhagen -- do you have recommendations for fun drugstore finds? Feels like people are always saying "They have better toothpaste!" or "You have to try this moisturizing cream!" or "Try XYZ, it's not available in the US!" or the like. Give me your recs!
No specific recommendations, but I’ve often heard that the sunscreens widely available in Europe are superior to those here due to better regulations.
posted by staggernation at 10:04 AM on April 3 [1 favorite]
posted by staggernation at 10:04 AM on April 3 [1 favorite]
You can get ritter sport in the US now (and it's actually German), but I discovered them while I studied in Copenhagen. Now I hunt for different and seasonal flavors.
Cereal: my all-time favorite cereal is chocolate cruesli, by quaker oat. I can't get it in the US. I can get it in Europe (also discovered while in Copenhagen, also something I now hunt for).
I agree with staggernation about sunscreens - I am allergic to most of the ones I can find in the US, but I've had zero problems with ones I've gotten in Europe.
Specifically, la roche posay makes a sunscreen (anthelios invisible fluid 50+ I think) is easier to find and cheaper in Europe.
I do so love going to grocery stores and drug stores in other countries. Have fun!
posted by Ms Vegetable at 10:45 AM on April 3
Cereal: my all-time favorite cereal is chocolate cruesli, by quaker oat. I can't get it in the US. I can get it in Europe (also discovered while in Copenhagen, also something I now hunt for).
I agree with staggernation about sunscreens - I am allergic to most of the ones I can find in the US, but I've had zero problems with ones I've gotten in Europe.
Specifically, la roche posay makes a sunscreen (anthelios invisible fluid 50+ I think) is easier to find and cheaper in Europe.
I do so love going to grocery stores and drug stores in other countries. Have fun!
posted by Ms Vegetable at 10:45 AM on April 3
This may be taboo to mention, but low-strength formulations of codeine + paracetamol (aka acetaminophen) and codeine + ibuprofen are available over-the-counter in the UK and Denmark.
posted by paper scissors sock at 11:34 AM on April 3 [4 favorites]
posted by paper scissors sock at 11:34 AM on April 3 [4 favorites]
low-strength formulations of codeine + paracetamol
The pharmacist will quiz you on symptoms and assess whether codeine is appropriate, and they will also only sell you one packet. They may well refuse you service if you come back for more.
If you like strongly-flavoured cough lozenges, pick up some Victory V's (in the UK). They used to contain chloroform and ether, but these days those have been removed. They're still pretty nice if you like the liquorice/menthol combo.
posted by pipeski at 11:51 AM on April 3
The pharmacist will quiz you on symptoms and assess whether codeine is appropriate, and they will also only sell you one packet. They may well refuse you service if you come back for more.
If you like strongly-flavoured cough lozenges, pick up some Victory V's (in the UK). They used to contain chloroform and ether, but these days those have been removed. They're still pretty nice if you like the liquorice/menthol combo.
posted by pipeski at 11:51 AM on April 3
I seem to remember that you may be of an age where this would be of interest--apologies if not--but they sell Vagifem over the counter in the UK at a very reasonable cost compared to the insurance price in the US. They also sell it OTC in Sweden so maybe Denmark too. I just don't happen to know.
posted by HotToddy at 11:52 AM on April 3
posted by HotToddy at 11:52 AM on April 3
This may be taboo to mention, but low-strength formulations of codeine + paracetamol (aka acetaminophen) and codeine + ibuprofen are available over-the-counter in the UK and Denmark.
Very low strength. NOT LEGAL ADVICE, but note that you can generally import no more than 50 of these for personal use only.
You can often find even drugstore-brand sunscreens containing mexoryl in Europe; in the U.S., because the parent company paid for a full FDA approval, it's available only in one or two of the expensive La Roche-Posay offerings. My derm strongly recommends it, so I usually stock up on inexpensive Garnier Ombrelle when I'm in Canada.
posted by praemunire at 12:22 PM on April 3 [2 favorites]
Very low strength. NOT LEGAL ADVICE, but note that you can generally import no more than 50 of these for personal use only.
You can often find even drugstore-brand sunscreens containing mexoryl in Europe; in the U.S., because the parent company paid for a full FDA approval, it's available only in one or two of the expensive La Roche-Posay offerings. My derm strongly recommends it, so I usually stock up on inexpensive Garnier Ombrelle when I'm in Canada.
posted by praemunire at 12:22 PM on April 3 [2 favorites]
There is an article in the Guardian today suggesting that there is a wider range of roll-on deodorant in UK chemists than in America: You can get a lot of great products in the US – so why do the deodorants stink?
posted by paduasoy at 1:09 PM on April 3
posted by paduasoy at 1:09 PM on April 3
If you have to use your voice a lot I highly recommend Vocalzone lozenges, available in UK chemists
posted by Morpeth at 3:56 PM on April 3
posted by Morpeth at 3:56 PM on April 3
Extra strength ibuprofen!!!
Also their Sudafed/pseudo ephedrine is 100mg instead of 25mg
posted by chasles at 4:30 AM on April 4
Also their Sudafed/pseudo ephedrine is 100mg instead of 25mg
posted by chasles at 4:30 AM on April 4
Whenever my mother-in-law travels to the UK, she always brings me home some E45 Cream. It's a simple, really effective handcream with lanolin in it. I love it.
posted by jb at 2:56 PM on April 5
posted by jb at 2:56 PM on April 5
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posted by gregr at 9:28 AM on April 3