Mysore Sandal soap: the classic sandalwood bar and the rose, lavender and jasmine variants
Mysore Sandal soap is a bath soap made by Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), a company owned by the state government of Karnataka in India. The classic bar is known for its sandalwood scent, and the same brand also makes rose, lavender and jasmine bars. In Poland you will find them as "mydło sandałowe" or "mydło w kostce Mysore Sandal" in Indian shops.
What Mysore Sandal soap is
The brand takes its name from Mysore (Mysuru), the old princely state in southern India whose forests were long known for sandalwood. The soap has been made in Karnataka for generations, and many Indian families grew up with it. For a lot of people from South India, the smell of the classic bar is the smell of a bathroom at home.
The classic bar is sold as a sandalwood-oil soap. The scent is woody, warm and stays on the skin for a while after a wash.
The variants compared
Little India carries several Mysore Sandal bars. They are all bath soaps for the body, used in the same way; the difference is the scent and the size.
| Bar | Polish name on the shelf | Weight | Scent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mysore Sandal Soap (classic) | mydło sandałowe Mysore Sandal | 125 g | Sandalwood, woody and warm |
| Rose luxury bath soap | mydło różane w kostce | 150 g | Rose, floral and sweet |
| Lavender luxury bath soap | mydło lawendowe w kostce | 150 g | Lavender, fresh and herbal |
| Jasmine luxury bath soap | mydło Jasmine Luxury Bath Soap | 150 g | Jasmine, heavy and floral |
The classic bar is the one most people mean when they say "Mysore Sandal soap". If you want the original scent, choose this one.
The rose bar is the most searched variant. It has a rose scent, and it is a larger 150 g bar. People who find sandalwood too strong often choose rose or lavender instead.
The ingredient lists differ between the bars. Read the label on the box before you buy, especially if you know that your skin reacts to some fragrances.
How people use it
Mysore Sandal soap is a normal bath soap:
- Wet your skin and the bar.
- Rub the bar between your hands or on a sponge until it lathers.
- Wash, then rinse with water.
- Keep the bar on a soap dish that drains, so that it dries between uses. A bar that sits in water goes soft and wears down faster.
Many people also put an unwrapped bar in a drawer or a suitcase, because the scent carries into clothes and linen. It is also a common small gift when someone travels home from India, or visits a family in India from abroad.
Where to buy Mysore Sandal soap in Poland
Little India stocks the Mysore Sandal rose soap (150 g), the jasmine bar (150 g) and the lavender bar. The classic 125 g sandalwood bar is not always in stock; the links go to the rose, jasmine and lavender bars (150 g). The Mysore Sandal brand page lists everything the shop carries from the brand, including incense sticks. You can buy them in Little India shops in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław and Gdańsk (shop addresses) or order online with delivery across Poland. For other Indian toiletries and groceries, read our guide to the Indian shop in Poland.
If you are looking at Indian face care too, see our guide on how to use the Himalaya neem face gel.
FAQ
Who makes Mysore Sandal soap?
Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), a company owned by the government of the Indian state of Karnataka.
Is the Mysore Sandal rose soap the same as the classic bar?
No. The rose bar has a rose scent and weighs 150 g; the classic bar has a sandalwood scent and weighs 125 g. Both are bath soaps from the same brand.
What is Mysore Sandal soap called in Polish?
Shops list it as "mydło sandałowe Mysore Sandal" or "mydło w kostce". The rose variant is "mydło różane w kostce".
Can I buy Mysore Sandal soap in Poland?
Yes. Indian shops in Poland sell it, including Little India in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław and Gdańsk and online.