When it comes to skincare, what do you usually choose? Popular, heavily marketed beauty brands such as Lakme, Maybelline, Neutrogena or L'Oreal that you see in commercial advertisements and all over social media, or the lesser-known pharmacy and drugstore skincare brands found on medical store shelves?
If you have ever wondered whether pharmacy skincare brands in India are worth trying, this list will help you understand what they offer and where they fit.
Before we get into the list, let’s clarify something.
What are Pharmacy or Drugstore Skincare Brands?
When I say pharmacy or drugstore skincare brands, I am not referring to prescription-only medical products. I am talking about skincare products you see behind the glass counters in pharmacy shelves, which you can buy without a prescription.
You will usually find them in:
• Local medical stores
• Chain pharmacies like Apollo, MedPlus, Wellness Forever or Netmeds
• Sometimes even supermarkets
They are often positioned as functional skincare and designed to address specific concerns such as dryness, acne, sensitivity, or barrier repair rather than trends or glamor. In many cases, they are also surprisingly affordable.
Why Are Drugstore Skincare Brands Budget-Friendly?
One of the first things people notice about drugstore skincare brands is the price. Many of them are noticeably more affordable than popular beauty brands and there are quite a few practical reasons for it.
1. Lower Marketing Costs
Big beauty brands spend heavily on celebrity endorsements, glossy campaigns, influencer partnerships, and large-scale advertising. That cost is built into the product price.
On the contrary, many drugstore and pharmacy brands do not rely as much on aggressive marketing. Some barely advertise at all. That significantly reduces overhead.
2. Simple Packaging
If you look at pharmacy shelves, you will notice something. The packaging is often plain. Basic tubes, functional bottles, minimal design. In short, less focus on aesthetics. This means lower production costs.
3. Focused Product Ranges
Pharmacy brands often keep their product lines smaller and more targeted. Instead of launching dozens of seasonal variants, they focus on core skincare concerns like dryness, acne, pigmentation, or sensitivity.
Fewer variations can mean more streamlined production and distribution.
4. Distribution Through Medical Stores
Because these brands are widely available across medical stores in India, they benefit from scale. They do not need premium retail space in malls or beauty counters, which adds to cost.
That said, affordability doesn't mean low quality, just as a high price tag doesn't always mean superior products. While some pharmacy finds are 'holy grails' and others are just basic staples. The key is understanding what you are buying and why.
Top Pharmacy and Drugstore Skincare Brands in India
Now that you understand what pharmacy brands are and why they tend to be budget-friendly, let’s explore 12 pharmacy-accessible skincare brands in India worth knowing about.
1. Boroline
Boroline is one of the oldest and most recognizable pharmacy staples in India. It is primarily known for its classic antiseptic ayurvedic cream, a thick multipurpose skin protectant that has been used for generations.
Over time, the brand has expanded its range. It now includes products such as Eelen Hair Oil, Suthol Antiseptic Skin Liquids, Bo Lips flavored lip balms, Khas Neem Soap, and even mosquito repellent. While the portfolio has grown, the original Boroline Antiseptic Cream remains its most widely known and best-selling product. It is now available in different formats, including the traditional green tube and small tub packaging. It is commonly used for dry patches, chapped lips, cracked heels, and minor skin concerns.
2. Lacto Calamine
Lacto Calamine is one of the most recognizable drugstore skincare brands in India, particularly for people with oily or acne-prone skin. It is best known for its Oil Balance Lotion, a calamine-based formula that helps absorb excess oil and leave the skin with a matte finish.
Over time, the brand has introduced additional products such as face washes, lightweight moisturisers, sunscreens, cleansing wipes, and targeted treatments designed for oily and combination skin types. However, the Oil Control Face Lotion range for different skin types remains its most widely used and identifiable product. Many people use it as a simple daytime product, especially in humid weather, when heavier creams can feel uncomfortable.
3. Venusia
Dr. Reddy’s Venusia is a pharmacy-accessible skincare brand commonly recommended for dry and sensitive skin. It is often positioned as a dermatologically tested moisturising range focused on barrier support and long-lasting hydration.
The brand is best known for its Venusia Moisturising Creams, Venusia Max Creams, and Venusia Moisturising Lotions, which are formulated for moderate to very dry skin. While the creams are thicker and more suited for intense dryness, the lotion is often preferred for everyday body hydration.
In addition to moisturisers, Venusia also offers sunscreens and a baby care range, expanding its presence beyond basic hydration. However, moisturising products remain the core identity of the brand. Venusia products are widely available in medical stores and chain pharmacies across India.
4. Episoft
Episoft is a pharmacy skincare brand from Glenmark that is commonly seen in dermatology clinics and medical stores. It is generally positioned as a gentle, everyday skincare range suitable for normal to sensitive skin types.
The brand is best known for Episoft AC Moisturiser with Microencapsulated Sunscreen, a lightweight product that combines hydration with sun protection.
Episoft does not offer an extensive product catalogue. Its range is relatively focused and centred around a handful of moisturisers, sunscreens, and cleansers designed for everyday skin support. These products are formulated to support basic skin barrier function without heavy fragrance or trend-focused ingredients.
5. Sebamed
Sebamed is a German-origin skincare brand that is widely available in Indian pharmacies and often recommended for sensitive skin. The brand is best known for its strict pH 5.5 formulation philosophy, which is designed to support the skin’s natural barrier rather than disrupt it.
In India, Sebamed’s baby care range is especially popular and widely used. Products like baby washes, baby lotions, cleansing bars, and baby shampoos are commonly stocked in medical stores and are often chosen for newborns and sensitive infant skin.
Beyond baby care, Sebamed maintains a limited but functional lineup for adults. This includes everyday essentials like lip defense balms, sunscreens, shampoos, facial cleansers, face and body washes, cleansing bars, and body lotions. One of its better-known adult products is the Sebamed Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, formulated for sensitive scalps and mild dandruff concerns.
6. Fixderma
Fixderma is an Indian dermatology-focused skincare brand that is widely available in pharmacies and often recommended for specific skin concerns. The brand leans toward problem-solving formulations rather than cosmetic appeal, which places it closer to pharmacy and clinical skincare than mainstream beauty brands.
Fixderma is particularly well known for its sunscreen range, which includes gel-based, cream-based, and mineral options formulated for different skin types. These are commonly used by people with oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin.
Apart from sunscreens, Fixderma offers a focused range that includes moisturisers, face washes, serums, lotions, body washes, hair care products, and foot care cream. The product lineup is practical rather than extensive, covering everyday dermatological needs such as acne support, pigmentation care, dryness, and compromised skin barriers.
7. Re'equil
Re’equil is an Indian skincare brand that is often discussed alongside pharmacy and dermatologist-recommended products, even though it is more visible online than traditional drugstore brands. The brand focuses strongly on ingredient transparency, skin barrier health, and concern-based formulations supported by safety testing and active ingredients.
Re’equil is particularly well known for its sunscreens, especially its ultra-matte and dry-touch formulas, which are widely used by people with oily or acne-prone skin. Apart from sunscreens, the brand offers a small but targeted range that includes cleansers, moisturisers, face creams, toners, hair care products, and treatment-focused formulations. The product line is not overly large, as the emphasis is on functional, science-backed skincare.
8. Cetaphil
Cetaphil is one of the most well-known pharmacy skincare brands in India and globally, especially when it comes to sensitive and compromised skin. It is frequently recommended by dermatologists for people dealing with dryness, irritation, eczema-prone skin, or post-treatment sensitivity.
The brand is best known for its gentle cleansers and moisturisers. Products like its Gentle Skin Cleanser and Moisturising Cream are often considered basic and designed to cleanse and hydrate without disrupting the skin barrier.
Over time, Cetaphil has expanded into targeted ranges that include face washes for oily and acne-prone skin, sunscreens, lotions, and baby care products. Many people turn to Cetaphil when their skin needs a break from actives or when they want a dependable, everyday skincare routine that prioritizes tolerance over experimentation.
9. Himalaya
Himalaya is one of the most widely recognised and long-established drugstore brands in India, known for its strong herbal and Ayurvedic positioning. It is commonly found in pharmacies, medical stores, and supermarkets across the country.
Unlike many pharmacy brands that focus only on skincare, Himalaya has a very extensive range that goes beyond the face. In personal care, the brand offers products such as face washes, creams, face scrubs, lip care, soaps, body lotions, hand washes, footcare cream and baby care items. Its Neem range, especially the Neem Face Wash, is widely used. The brand’s hair care range, particularly Himalaya shampoos and conditioners for hair fall, dandruff, and everyday use, is also extremely popular and easy to find.
Beyond personal care, Himalaya has a large wellness portfolio that includes herbal supplements and capsules based on traditional ingredients such as ashwagandha, giloy, brahmi, triphala, and neem, reflecting its roots in Ayurvedic practices. Because of this wide presence, many people grow up using Himalaya products long before they actively start thinking about skincare routines.
10. Bioderma
Bioderma is a French dermatology skincare brand that is widely available in pharmacies and medical stores in India. It is often recommended by dermatologists, especially for sensitive, reactive, or compromised skin.
The brand is best known for its micellar cleansing waters, particularly the Sensibio H2O, which is commonly used for gentle makeup removal and cleansing without stripping the skin. Bioderma follows a biology-first approach to skincare, focusing on formulations that work in harmony with the skin rather than aggressively altering it.
Bioderma groups its skincare and body care products into clearly defined ranges based on skin concerns. These include Atoderm for dry and eczema-prone skin, Sébium for oily and acne-prone skin, and Photoderm for sun protection.
Bioderma is often chosen by people who want dermatologist-backed, fragrance-light skincare that prioritises skin tolerance, barrier repair, and long-term skin comfort over cosmetic trends.
11. Cipla
Cipla is best known as a pharmaceutical company, but it also has a strong presence in pharmacy-accessible skincare through its dermatology-focused product lines. Instead of operating under a single skincare brand name, Cipla offers multiple skincare ranges that are commonly found in medical stores across India. Some of its well-known pharmacy skincare lines include Rivela, Excela, Saslic, and VCX.
Products under these ranges include face washes, moisturisers, creams, serums, sunscreens, and hair and scalp care products. They are typically recommended for concerns such as acne-prone skin, pigmentation, oil control, and basic daily maintenance. You will often see them stocked behind the pharmacy counter or suggested by dermatologists. One of the most widely used products is Cipla Saslic DS Foaming Face Wash, which is commonly chosen for oily and acne-prone skin to help manage excess oil and breakouts.
Overall, Cipla’s skincare offerings are functional and problem-focused rather than cosmetic. With simple packaging and straightforward formulations, they are often chosen by people looking for pharmacy-backed options that address specific skin concerns without unnecessary extras.
12. Dr. Sheth's
Dr. Sheth’s is a luxury Indian skincare brand positioned as a dermatologist-formulated range created specifically for Indian skin, as it is often more prone to pigmentation, uneven tone, and sensitivity.
Its product lineup includes sunscreens, moisturisers, face washes, and serums, with a strong focus on targeted formulations and active ingredients such as ceramides, peptides, niacinamide, and modern sunscreen filters. Ceramide & Vitamin C Sunscreen and Ceramide & Vitamin C Oil-Free Moisturiser are two of the brand’s best-selling and most widely used products.
The brand also states that its products are vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without commonly flagged harsh additives. While Dr. Sheth’s is more visible online than traditional pharmacy brands, it is often grouped with functional, concern-led skincare because of its emphasis on formulation and skin needs rather than purely cosmetic appeal.
Conclusion: Are Pharmacy Skincare Brands Worth Trying?
Pharmacy and drugstore skincare brands may not always have glossy packaging or heavy advertising, but they often deliver where it matters most: functionality, skin tolerance, and accessibility. Many of these brands focus on solving specific concerns, which is why they continue to be trusted across generations.
That said, not every pharmacy product will be a perfect fit for everyone. Some will work exceptionally well, while others may feel basic or insufficient depending on your skin type and expectations. The key is to choose a product based on your skin needs rather than brand popularity alone.
If you are looking for affordable, dermatologist-backed, and widely available skincare options in India, pharmacy-accessible brands are worth exploring. They can serve as reliable daily staples or even become long-term favourites once you find what works for you.
FAQs
1. Are pharmacy skincare brands safe for daily use?
Most pharmacy-accessible skincare brands in India are designed for regular use and focus on skin tolerance. However, results can vary depending on skin type and concern.
2. Do pharmacy skincare brands work better than cosmetic brands?
It depends on your skin. Pharmacy brands usually focus on skin concerns like acne, dryness or pigmentation, while cosmetic brands focus more on glow, fragrance, and instant results.
3. Can I use pharmacy skincare without a dermatologist’s prescription?
Yes. The brands listed in this article are non-prescription and can be purchased directly from medical stores.
No comments:
Post a Comment