Where can I find Benzoyl Peroxide Face Wash in Vietnam?

Question

I'm currently in Ho Chi Minh City ( Saigon ) and I am trying to find a Benzoyl Peroxide (10%) face wash. I've gone to a few pharmacies here and it seems that they've never even heard of a B.P. face was before, only for spot treatments. Also I haven't seen any products in the supermarkets with this ingredient. Does anyone know where I could find some?

Answer 1

I believe you're referring to a product like Oxy10 for skin treatment to prevent pimple outbreak that has 10% Benzoyl Peroxide in it (ergo: the "10" in Oxy10). It's not likely that you will find this at a pharmacy in Vietnam.

The Co-Op store in District 1 will probably have what you're looking for, but it will be under a different brand. You will need to dig around and check the labels of native brands to find something compatible. If that store doesn't have it, then you should try one of the malls in District 1 or one of the stores in the expat village in District 7.

There is a bigger Co-Op store, a FiviMart and a big convenience store within walking distance of each other in District 7. These stores carry more American brand products than any place else that I know of in Saigon, and you will probably find something that you're familiar with.

If you're having problems with your skin, then I don't think Benzoyl Peroxide is all that you're going to need to win the pimple battle there. You're in the middle of the hot season in Saigon, you're going to sweat and you're going to break out if you don't try some native remedies for your skin.

The assistants at the Co-Op stores are very nice and will be very helpful, but they will probably not know what you're talking about when you ask them about Benzoyl Peroxide. If you look at their face, you may notice that their skin isn't breaking out like yours and they don't use Benzoyl Peroxide. Why?

It's a combination of diet, native skin treatment products and the beauty salons. The beauty salons there will not only cut your hair, but give you a thorough hair wash and face wash too. If you find the right one, they will wash your face with native herbs that will open your pours and clear your skin of oils that will cause you to break out. The hair and face wash will set you back about $2-$3, which is about 1/3 the cost of a bottle of Oxy10. In other words, ask a beautician about your skin and do as the Vietnamese do while you're there.