One of the small but real advantages of living in Malaysia as a Korean is geography. From Kuala Lumpur, traveling to places like Bali or Thailand takes less time and often costs far less than it would from Korea. Buying toothpaste in Australia, in fact, turned out to make even more sense than shopping within Southeast Asia.
Earlier this year, my husband and I traveled to Perth for a week, from January 8 to January 15, 2026. Our round-trip flights cost RM 3,210 in total—about KRW 1.16 million for two people, or roughly USD 400 per person. Considering that flights from Korea to Australia often cost closer to USD 1,100 per person with multiple stopovers, traveling from Malaysia felt like a clear advantage.
This post isn’t about the itinerary or the beaches.
It’s about a very specific shopping decision: toothpaste.
Why I Bought Toothpaste in Australia Instead of Malaysia
While living in Malaysia, I often notice how global trends reach different countries at different speeds—and sometimes, not at all. Toward the end of last year, one product started appearing repeatedly on social media feeds across multiple countries: Colgate MaxFresh Rainbow Fresh. The toothpaste went viral not because of performance claims, but because of how it looked—transparent gel filled with colorful heart-shaped capsules.
Although it became especially popular in Korean social media, this wasn’t a Korea-only trend. The same product appeared on feeds in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and the U.S. Despite that, it isn’t officially sold in Korea, which turned it into a travel-only purchase for many people.
Living in Malaysia, I assumed it would eventually be imported. Colgate and Sensodyne products are widely available here, so I checked major supermarkets and drugstores like Jaya Grocer, Village Grocer, Watsons, and Caring. No luck.
That’s when my upcoming trip to Australia came to mind.
Buying Colgate in Perth: Supermarkets vs Drugstores
Before leaving, I checked Colgate Australia’s website and confirmed that the Rainbow Fresh toothpaste was being sold locally. Once in Perth, I headed straight to Woolworths, one of Australia’s largest supermarket chains.
I found Colgate MaxFresh Rainbow Fresh there, on sale for AUD 6 per tube (about KRW 5,970 at the time). I bought two immediately. The Christmas tree version and fruit-flavored variants weren’t available, but the main product was enough.
Later, I visited Chemist Warehouse, a drugstore chain known for aggressive pricing. At the Murray Street location in central Perth, I found a wider selection at even lower prices. I added the Peach Passion and Watermelon Blast versions, each priced at AUD 4.79 (around KRW 4,760).
All versions came in 100g tubes—compact enough for carry-on luggage and practical for gifts.
Aesop Toothpaste: Curiosity, Not Necessity
The last purchase was Aesop toothpaste. I had used their hand wash before but had never tried their toothpaste—and honestly didn’t even know they made one until I saw it mentioned in a travel blog.
Aesop is an Australian-born brand, so I checked a Perth store out of curiosity. The toothpaste came in a pale blue aluminum tube and cost AUD 19 (around KRW 18,900). Compared to Colgate, it was undeniably expensive, but I assumed it was only available in Australia and bought one as a souvenir.
Later, I learned that Aesop toothpaste is sold globally. In Kuala Lumpur’s TRX Mall, the same toothpaste was priced at RM 60 (about KRW 21,800). Even with exchange rates taken into account, buying it in Australia was roughly KRW 2,000 cheaper per tube.
Still, if you live in Malaysia, Aesop toothpaste isn’t worth buying abroad unless you’re already traveling. Colgate, on the other hand, is.
Using Them: Colgate vs Aesop
Colgate MaxFresh Rainbow Fresh looks playful, but it isn’t sweet or artificial. Despite the colorful hearts, the flavor is sharply minty and leaves a strong cooling finish. The heart capsules are made from plant-based cellulose gum, not plastic, which helps explain why the texture feels normal during brushing.
Aesop toothpaste is different. The paste itself looks ordinary—opaque white—but the flavor isn’t. Its key ingredients include cardamom and wasabi extract. There’s no wasabi heat or smell, but the cardamom gives a clean, slightly spiced aftertaste. If you’re unfamiliar with cardamom, it may feel unusual. I found it refreshing. My husband didn’t—and stopped using it after one try.
What I’d Buy Again
If you’re traveling to Australia, Colgate MaxFresh is worth picking up—especially from Chemist Warehouse. It’s affordable, lightweight, and genuinely different from what’s sold in Korea or Malaysia.
Aesop toothpaste is interesting, but not essential. If you’re curious, you can buy it locally in Malaysia without much price difference.
In the end, this wasn’t about toothpaste quality alone. It was about how everyday products turn into content, trends, and travel purchases—depending on where you live.
Living abroad often makes you notice what’s available locally — and what isn’t — from everyday items to specialty products.
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