What Stuff Is Better In India?

maury · Sep 7th, 2008, 02:14

I am curious as to what items people have found to be better in India than the comparable stuff from back ‘home.’ Well, if not better, at least worth buying there rather than packing along.

I mean things like sunscreen, personal care items, first aid supplies, snack food and any of the other 'must have' stuff we usually bring along.

I am always looking to lighten my bag - espicially as I add years to the load! - and like to ‘discover’ new things that can make the trip easier. So: any suggestions?

silversurfer · Sep 7th, 2008, 02:22

You can find everything in India from US or European manafacturers. For example: you will find the same trail mix here as you will in NY. Many things are actually cheaper here, like first aid supplies. Just walk into any mall or Spencer's store and you got everything.

Don't worry ... lighten your load.

edwardseco · Sep 7th, 2008, 02:36

Cosmetics for Indian complexions..

PeakXV · Sep 7th, 2008, 02:50

Neem twigs for your dental hygiene.

Nick-H · Sep 7th, 2008, 03:01

Complexions

...that don't need cosmetics!

But seriously...

Sunscreen: bring the one you know suits you, but remember you will need a high rating for the tropical sun. It needs to feel right and smell right, and not bring you out in a rash.

Most other stuff you can get as you go.

You cannot get everything --- at least, there are not many things you can't find, but you will not find the big selection of brands

wonderwomanusa · Sep 7th, 2008, 08:56

I agree with Nick on the sunblock, and I prefer my DEET-enabled mossie repellant (Cutters in stick form) but aside from those two things, I always end up buying shampoo, hair conditioner, soap and such things in India. Lots of major and familiar brands like Colgate toothpaste and Vaseline are available.

If there's anything you're not sure about, be sure to mention it here.

synthette · Sep 7th, 2008, 09:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeakXV

Neem twigs for your dental hygiene.

LOL!! The beloved Neem twigs!! Used to get those in Saudi! Awesome - the Neem tree extracts contain natural antibiotic, and are great for staving off gum infections - but here in Canada - the toothpaste is darned expensive, if you can find it at all! I stocked up in Toronto!

zoltan · Sep 7th, 2008, 09:44

Generally, I've found almost all the toiletries I need available in India (and as mentioned above), at a fraction of the price.

Things like toothbrushes; paste; tongue scraper; shampoo/conditioner - buy them in India.

As far as general medications go: ventolin; becloforte; doxycycline; etc. can be purchased readily but I would add that you should purchase such items from a reputable chemist & check the use-by dates.

For women, I would recommend that any personal (women's) hygiene products should be brought from home as comparable products may not be available in some/all of the areas to be visited.

Cheers
Zoltan

kristinm · Sep 7th, 2008, 09:51

To answer the question what is better, as opposed to just what is available - I am still buying Indian skin care products over the internet, cheaper and better than here and also organic! Even better than the expensive stuff like Clarins in my opinion and WAY WAY cheaper!

Nick-H · Sep 7th, 2008, 14:20

Quote:

I am still buying Indian skin care products over the internet, cheaper and better than here and also organic!

If you buy from reputable manufacturers, yes.

Otherwise, India is waell behind on consumer awareness and consumer power.

kristinm · Sep 7th, 2008, 15:10

Biotique..

Agnishikha · Sep 8th, 2008, 01:27

If we talk about the things that are better to buy in India than bring from home, I'd recommend 2 things for sure:

1. moskito repellent - ODOMOS cream (or spray) is way better than anything else I've tried in India

2. medicines for stomach disorders - they are suited to the local bacteria

. For minor revolutions try PUDIN HARA pills (mint-based). For major ones, see a doctor

.

Nick-H · Sep 8th, 2008, 03:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristinm

Biotique..

My Himalaya is better, and cheaper, than your Biotique!

Let the Product wars begin

!

Ododmos is only 12% DEET. It certainly works, and is cheap, but 12% is not enough to see you through a whole night. Some people don't like its smell; as it happens, I do!

federica · Sep 8th, 2008, 03:35

For me Odomos worked better than anything else, in fact, it was the only working mosquito repellent. But that's just my personal opinion.

Soap, shampoo, toothpaste and all that stuff is great in India, I would never bring anything.

I wouldn't take too many clothes (as long as you have average size).

Contact lenses are also cheap or at least not more expensive.

Haylo · Sep 8th, 2008, 03:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by federica

Contact lenses are also cheap or at least not more expensive.

What about the price of solutions?

Sep 7th, 2008, 02:14	#1
maury Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 59	What Stuff Is Better In India? I am curious as to what items people have found to be better in India than the comparable stuff from back ‘home.’ Well, if not better, at least worth buying there rather than packing along. I mean things like sunscreen, personal care items, first aid supplies, snack food and any of the other 'must have' stuff we usually bring along. I am always looking to lighten my bag - espicially as I add years to the load! - and like to ‘discover’ new things that can make the trip easier. So: any suggestions?

Sep 7th, 2008, 02:50	#4
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,511	Neem twigs for your dental hygiene. __________________ What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Sep 7th, 2008, 03:01	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,368	Complexions ...that don't need cosmetics! But seriously... Sunscreen: bring the one you know suits you, but remember you will need a high rating for the tropical sun. It needs to feel right and smell right, and not bring you out in a rash. Most other stuff you can get as you go. You cannot get everything --- at least, there are not many things you can't find, but you will not find the big selection of brands __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Sep 7th, 2008, 08:56	#6
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dhaka Posts: 3,570	I agree with Nick on the sunblock, and I prefer my DEET-enabled mossie repellant (Cutters in stick form) but aside from those two things, I always end up buying shampoo, hair conditioner, soap and such things in India. Lots of major and familiar brands like Colgate toothpaste and Vaseline are available. If there's anything you're not sure about, be sure to mention it here. __________________ The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

Sep 7th, 2008, 09:44	#8
zoltan Forum Leader Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 863	Generally, I've found almost all the toiletries I need available in India (and as mentioned above), at a fraction of the price. Things like toothbrushes; paste; tongue scraper; shampoo/conditioner - buy them in India. As far as general medications go: ventolin; becloforte; doxycycline; etc. can be purchased readily but I would add that you should purchase such items from a reputable chemist & check the use-by dates. For women, I would recommend that any personal (women's) hygiene products should be brought from home as comparable products may not be available in some/all of the areas to be visited. Cheers Zoltan __________________ India (and other) photos click here

Sep 7th, 2008, 02:22	#2
silversurfer Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Delhi / Gurgaon Posts: 122	You can find everything in India from US or European manafacturers. For example: you will find the same trail mix here as you will in NY. Many things are actually cheaper here, like first aid supplies. Just walk into any mall or Spencer's store and you got everything. Don't worry ... lighten your load.

Sep 7th, 2008, 02:36	#3
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,423	Cosmetics for Indian complexions..

Sep 7th, 2008, 09:51	#9
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,547	To answer the question what is better, as opposed to just what is available - I am still buying Indian skin care products over the internet, cheaper and better than here and also organic! Even better than the expensive stuff like Clarins in my opinion and WAY WAY cheaper!

Sep 7th, 2008, 15:10	#11
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,547	Biotique..

Sep 8th, 2008, 01:27	#12
Agnishikha Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Poland Posts: 1	If we talk about the things that are better to buy in India than bring from home, I'd recommend 2 things for sure: 1. moskito repellent - ODOMOS cream (or spray) is way better than anything else I've tried in India 2. medicines for stomach disorders - they are suited to the local bacteria . For minor revolutions try PUDIN HARA pills (mint-based). For major ones, see a doctor .

Sep 8th, 2008, 03:35	#14
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 1,102	For me Odomos worked better than anything else, in fact, it was the only working mosquito repellent. But that's just my personal opinion. Soap, shampoo, toothpaste and all that stuff is great in India, I would never bring anything. I wouldn't take too many clothes (as long as you have average size). Contact lenses are also cheap or at least not more expensive.

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