buying health/ toiletry/ cosmetic items in German pharmacies/ apothekes

You might check and see if any of your prescriptions are available in Europe without a prescription. My wife uses Volteran Gel which is a pain killer and anti-inflammatory. She pays $45 a tube in the U.S. but found it in Budapest for 1/3 the price across the counter.

I was in Munich last year, suffering an epic flare of spondylolisthesis (lower back pain, about level 8) and got some cream called Voltaren, not as stinky as the stuff we have here and it worked quite well. A friend had asked me to bring him a tube, little did I know I'd end up actually needing some myself. I'm flying through Frankfurt in a couple of weeks and will poke around the shops to see if I can get more.

ETA--and I see David mentioned finding it in Budapest, where I will happily be in 3 weeks!

I too have used Voltaren in the past, such that I keep a (badly squashed) tube at the bottom of my case when travelling, just in case my back goes again. Like many medicines, it has different spellings in different countries.
A physio recommended "Kytta" which I have also found affective for muscle pain. I don't know what countries it is available in.
website: https://www.kytta.de/de/

Germany has two chains which have an "interesting" mix of products:
DM https://www.dm.de/
Müller https://www.mueller.de/
Both similar to, but in ways different from, Boots in the UK https://www.boots.com/

We load up on Nivea cream -- the stuff made in Germany is much thicker and creamier than the Mexico-manufactured stuff we get at home.
Our last stop we look for a chain drugstore and get four or five of the biggest size they have (as many as we can fit in the checked bag). Yes, it's heavy but only for one flight home.
Also Labello lip balm, but those are small and light.

"Who else>>>....?" I do.

I always go into these stores located in the train stations to buy all sorts of things. If you want US products you can get them there.

You want German products, then go these stores; two come to mind at the moment... Rossmann, and Müller. You'll see other international tourists there too.

The big train stations have more that one of these stores.

Does anyone know how the Volteran gel would be called in Spain? Or the U.K. ( assuming no Brexit by late May)?

Lola, if they have it its probably spelled the same way - Voltaren. I bought several tubes off the shelf in a Canadian grocery store for $9CN a tube. I asked my pharmacy here in the US (doc gave mother a prescription) and it was $80 here.

We got THE best finger nail clippers in an Apotheke. I am going to grab some more this summer.

Also the Bayer aspirin that comes in a tablet you dissolve in water. Works much much faster than swallowing a pill.

While in Boppard we visited a Sebamed store. They have some very good products.

Voltaren is called Voltarol in the UK. I couldn't remember when I posted above. Their UK website: https://www.voltarol.co.uk/

These are great suggestions. Keep 'em coming.
I assume, if you bought enough, you could receive a VAT refund at the airport (providing the items are unused). Is the minimum ~200 euro?

CJ-traveler,
What specific Sebamed products did you get? I have heard of the brand, but never tried them.
I have dry skin, so I'm always searching for quality lotions and creams. In French Monoprix stores I stock up on Le Couvent de Minimes' fabulous hand and foot creams.

I'm migraine prone, and in the US I buy the rather pricy Calm magnesium-calcium powder supplement. Last trip to a dm I discovered a plastic tube of ~10 magnesium tablets (flavored, dissolve in water), for under 2 Euro!

I assume, if you bought enough, you could receive a VAT refund at the airport (providing the items are unused).

Yes, in theory, with one big restriction. In order to get the refund, you need a shop prepared to do the paperwork. Only shops with a high volume of non-EU customers bother with the extra work and staff training needed. I doubt a pharmacy would fall into that category.

"receive a VAT refund at the airport" - you don't receive it at the airport, you get the form stamped at the airport (or land border), send the completed forms back to the shop, and they refund you.

Packy- do you recall the brand of the tube of magnesium tablets? I also use Calm Magnesium here in the U.S.

Thank you, Chris F. This might help my husband ( very athletic, rower, but ruptured disc) with his back pain).

So if we go to Boots to buy this, is it on the shelf or do we ask the pharmacist? And no prescription needed?

Pharmacists in Germany. unlike in USA, are allowed to diagnose & prescribe up to a point. Some EU OTC drugs are prescription only in USA. Others are different strength. 1% Hydrocortizone cream is the USA standard. In Germany, it's 2%. Asking is essential.

I bought “Voltaren Actigo” in France last year. I had to ask for it at the pharmacy counter. They offered 1% and 2% tubes. The tube said it was manufactured in France by Glaxosmithkline. No prescription needed.

Eurostacy--It is the dm brand, sold in a 5.5 inch plastic tube. Says "Magnesium" in big red letters. "DAS gesunde PLUS" is also on the tube (I believe that's "better health" in German.) 20 tablets per tube, 375 mg magnesium in each (no calcium). They were in the vitamin area.
Essential oils are also less expensive in Germany, and I'm sure you've heard peppermint oil can help with migraines.
From one sufferer to another: wishing you relief. It's a @#$%!

I always get some caffeinated "Energy" Mentos when in Germany. Technically these are candy but I use them as a coffee/red bull substitute when traveling.

DJ

Thank you, Packy!!! :) I appreciate the description.