Anything to look for/buy in Spain?

[OnceAgainWithFeeling]

I find myself unexpectedly in Malaga for a few days. I’m sure I’ve read if beauty items which are available here that aren’t in the U.K.

Anyone got any tip tips? I’m travelling with hand luggage only so can’t bring back anything in big containers.

Malaga is fab for leather - bags, jackets, belts..you could wear a new jacket on the way home!

Antibiotics

Sephora?

Tretinoin

If you are interested in clothes Zara, Massimo Dutti, Cos, Desigual etc are all cheaper in Spain and can be even more so depending on the exchange rate. Spanish shoe brands are worth a look at. Good to check out prices of La Roche Posay and similar brands in the supermarkets.
Malaga Airport has Desigual, Natura & some other High Street type shops. Duty Free shop is well equipped with all well known cosmetics etc. Gin & Vodka are cheap!

Erm. Don’t think I’ve taken antibiotics in about 10 years so probably not. Thanks though.

I’m confused. I don’t have acne or leukaemia, which is what google says this is for???

My sister wants me to bring back suppository paracetamol for my autistic nephew (who refuses normal calpol). Any ideas how much I can bring back? Govt site just talks about controlled drugs.

I'd love to know about the tretinoin to ask for too - like a brand name

Spain have seriously cracked down on prescription medication being sold over the counter. You're much less likely to find a pharmacy willing to sell you tretinoin (the gold standard cream for anti ageing, deservedly) or antibiotics without a prescription.

Tretinion is called Retirides in Spain. You can buy it over the counter for about €20. Malaga is lovely. Also, visit Mijas up in the mountains if you have time. Enjoy!

Its very much available over the counter. I only returned from Malaga 2 weeks ago.

Perfume, makeup, and moisturiser from Mercadona. The mascaras are especially good.

Underwear from Women's Secret.

Bourjois, perfume, there are a few Spanish brands which are great, some that aren't Spanish but should be a lot cheaper than back home: Endocare from Cantabria Labs, Sesderma (ampollas with active principles are great), SVR (French & fab), Martiderm, Embryolisse Lait Crème (also doubles as a makeup primer). If you like Avène, Vichy and La Roche Posay check the prices too.
If you're fancy stuff you can also check the prices for Skinceuticals.

If you're *into

It's at the top of the food chain for all active principles in skincare to improve wrinkles. Tretinoin is the mother of all retinols and it's usually only available with a prescription in most places, it's good to know it's over the counter in Spain (thanks for the tip!). If you're mixing with other active principles check first as there's a lot of stuff you can't use at the same time and don't use it while you're on holiday as you need to bathe your face in sunscreen or you might get stains. Read a lot before you reach for it!

I couldn't buy Retires this time 'round in Lanzarote. My stash is running low. Next holiday will have to be Malaga :-)

Feeling like the new girl this morning. I’ve a bathroom cabinet full of skincare but haven’t heard of this stuff or used any of the brands of skincare mentioned. (I think a couple are owned by Nestle which means I wouldn’t buy them anyway.)

I’m 44 and apart from a little botox on my forehead and 11s a couple of times a year I don’t really have wrinkles. I’ve noticed my make up “catching” in fine lines under my eyes over the past few months but don’t really fancy using anything that makes that area more sensitive or brings me out in spots for 6 months! I eat a low carb, clean diet high in fish and good fats, drink
lots of water and use relatively simple skincare. (My darling grandmother had beautiful skin just using Nivea so maybe it’s in my genes.) 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’d need several breast reductions before that would work! Thank you though.

Going to do some research. Did you manage to get it easily? I’m trawling famacias anyway for the paracetamol.

Yes, readily available in most pharmacies.

Go to Mercadona / another supermarket and buy Instituto Español foot cream with 10% urea for €1.50. Hands down the best foot cream ever, even after just one application.

Mercadona nail polishes are cheap and pretty hard wearing too.

Finally, check out the clothes sections in the supermarkets. Some of the clothes / shoes are brilliant and very cheap.

Asked in one today and thought the guy was going to have me thrown out!

do you just ask for it without any explanation? Any idea which of the farmacia you got yours from?

Can’t bring back anything above 100ml unfortunately. :-(