Recently opened KrémPatika (‘Cream Pharmacy’) is a Hungarian family business proffering handmade beauty-care products at affordable prices. Radiant face moisturizers, rich body lotions, sweet-scented soaps and smoothing shampoos are created according to vegan principles and free from animal testing. To enhance the drug-store theme, goods are sold from behind a 100-year-old pharmacy counter. Set on Pannónia Street in District XIII, this tiny shop stands out from its surrounding with its whitewashed interior and shabby-chic design. Online sales, so far Hungarian-only, will soon be coming on stream.
Family-owned KrémPatika didn’t compromise on quality when they started preparing and selling handmade cosmetics at inexpensive prices. The business preferred to cut their marketing costs by proffering its youth-reviving goods in unpretentious packaging complete with modest labels, the end product reminiscent of the ointments occasionally made to order in local pharmacies.
Offering merchandise from revitalizing body lotions to hair-care items and colorful soap bars, KrémPatika concocts creamy sensations by hand in a Budapest lab under a supervision of a chemist. The ready-made mixtures are then packed in simply designed containers to later distribute them at the company’s recently opened store on Pannónia Street. A small amount of preservatives is used during production to increase shelf life, with the list of ingredients clearly displayed on each container alongside the expiry date. Testers are available for those who want to sample the products before purchasing.
Made free from animal testing, KrémPatika’s vegan beauty aids include marigold face cream, vitamin E eye cream, and face scrub made with tea tree oil, all selling for 690 forints. The selection is complete with body butters (790 forints), bath bombs and shower gels (490 forints), shampoos and conditioners (from 490 forints), besides facial cleansers (from 320 forints). And if you think you just get a tiny amount of each ointment for these prices, the stock comes in containers and bottles of various sizes, including 50ml face creams, 100ml hand creams, and 250ml shampoos and conditioners. Looking ahead, KrémPatika is set to launch its new Hungarian-language webshop soon, while an English version of the online store may be available in the future.
