Boroline, a sleek dark green coloured tube, is a common item found in the first aid kits of most Indian households.
Boroline, a sleek dark green coloured tube, is a common item found in the first aid kits of most Indian households.
From cuts, burns and swellings to dry skin, Boroline has been the all-in-one solution for over a century. Here is the interesting history behind the product:
Going back around 90 years, Boroline is not just a skincare product but an icon of self-sufficiency across our country, especially in Bengal.
In 1929, Dutta’s G D Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd manufactured this green tube to challenge the skin care products sold by the British at exorbitant rates as part of the Swadeshi movement.
It was manufactured in undivided Bengal and the multi-purpose product was sold at a cheaper price because of its lower manufacturing cost.
As youngsters began using it to treat pimples and grandmothers started applying it to their young ones, Boroline gradually gained popularity as a household name in Bengali homes.
The ‘antiseptic ayurvedic cream’ is essentially made of boric acid (tankan amla), zinc oxide (jasad bhasma), perfume, paraffin and oleum.
Despite its simple ingredients, no company — be it the British companies of yore or today’s multinational companies — has been able to beat its popularity.
Call it nostalgia or loyalty towards the product, Boroline continues to be one of the go-to creams for Indians over the years.