Travel size toiletries available in France and Italy?

April 24, 2015 11:22 AM

Are travel size toiletries (shampoo, mouthwash, moisturizer, etc.) readily available in France and Italy?

I'm thinking of mid-sized cities such as Avignon, Aix, Lucca, Genoa, etc. Someone I know mentioned that they are available, but hideously expensive. If they are available, are they where I would expect to find them -- that is, in a drug store, pharmacy?
Also small quantities of laundry detergent.
I'm thinking of bringing the bare minimum (or none) quantity-wise and re-stocking there. Any other tips or ideas about the small stuff of packing, or what is a good idea to purchase on the spot rather than bring, would be appreciated.
Anticipating a possible caveat: some of my best foreign travel experiences have been while shopping with the locals. I do not consider it "down time."
Thanks.

posted by feelinggood to Travel & Transportation (4 answers total)

Best answer: I don't know Italy well, but in France, normal sized toiletries are generally smaller than the ones available in the US and Canada. For example, a 90 ml (3 oz.) tube of toothpaste is pretty common, and shampoo/conditioner often comes in 250 ml or even smaller containers. They're not necessarily travel-sized but they're small enough to travel with, especially if you'll be based in one place for a few days or a week at a time. Laundry detergent can be purchased in 20-dose boxes.

I usually buy things like that at Monoprix (French chain department/grocery store). If you read French, you can use their website to check out what's available. They have a 100 ml tube of Nivea moisturizer for € 2.36 (online price, it might be more in the store), and a 100 ml mild shampoo for € 1.74. Other grocery stores, such as Franprix, will also carry them, but the selection will be smaller.
posted by brianogilvie at 1:42 PM on April 24, 2015 [2 favorites]

I have definitely bought travel-size toothpaste and small tubes of moisturizer (not actually travel size, just small) in France and Italy. Usually at the supermarket. I have not seen small quantities of laundry detergent except at laundromats. If you're staying in an AirBnB situation, there will often be detergent for you to use. If you're washing in the sink, you can just use shampoo.
posted by mskyle at 1:52 PM on April 24, 2015

seconding "normal-size" being smaller than the North American standard, and Monoprix and "parapharmacies" in France, which have all the toiletries / beauty supplies but none of the medicines.
posted by holgate at 3:39 PM on April 24, 2015

I think part of the reputation for high prices comes from buying in big cities like Paris. If you walk into a random small drug store in Manhattan, you're going to pay a lot for travel toothpaste, just like you might be shocked to pay $12 for a six-pack.

The brands are almost all different, interestingly. There's also a lot more homeopathic products, I bought deodorant and insect bite cream, but they seemed to work. The only specific products I've heard recommended to bring from home are for feminine hygiene.
posted by wnissen at 4:54 PM on April 24, 2015