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The Best of Drugstore Skincare
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items The skincare industry loves a luxury moment. Unfortunately, your skin does not care how expensive the jar was. This collection focuses on drugstore products that actually make sense: good ingredients, solid formulations, and things that work requirin...
Sections
8
The Guide
Cleansers
Treatment - Acne
Treatment - Anti-Aging
Treatment - Hyperpigmentation
Treatment - Texture/Exfoliation
The Guide
If you want the logic behind this list, I wrote a full guide on Substack breaking down the ingredients that actually work in drugstore skincare, what they do, and which ones are mostly marketing.
The Best Drugstore Skincare That Actually Works
Cleansers
Choose an oil cleanser that you use at night, followed by a water cleanser - its called double cleansing, and you NEED it if you're wearing SPF, because I know you are, so don't argue with me. But just a water cleanser in the morning is fine.
An amazing oil cleanser.
Prequel Skin Pre-Gleanse Oil Cleanser for Face. Double Cleansing Oil ...
One of my favorite water cleansers, heavy on the glycerin. Also has one that comes with salicylic acid.
Prequel Facial Gleanser Cleanser
Water cleanser, solid choice for sensitive skin.
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
Water cleanser with so many good ingredients, and very hydrating.
La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Oil cleanser, K-beauty style.
KOSE Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover
Treatment - Acne
Acne does not improve because you exfoliated harder - it improves because you used the right ingredients consistently!
Adapalene was formerly prescription-only, a great anti-acne prodfuct.
Differin Retinoid Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment for Face and Body
Benzoyl peroxide: the 2.5% concentration is super effective, but less irritating than the higher concentrations.
Acne Spot Treatment .75oz - up&up™: Benzoyl Peroxide Cream for Acne-Prone Skin, Face Blemish Solution, Unscented Formula
Salicylic acid - can be used as a spot treatment, or the entire face if addressing widespread congestion.
La Roche Posay Acne Treatment Salicylic Acid Face Serum - 1oz: Contains Glycolic Acid, Unscented, Acne-Prone
Azelaic acid in a great formulation.
Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% - 1 fl oz: Paraben-Free, Contains Vitamin C, Vegan, For Face & Neck
A cleanser with salicylic acid is a great way to treat overall congestion.
CeraVe SA Face Wash Salicylic Acid Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid & Niacinamide - 16 fl oz: Liquid Exfoliating Formula for Normal Skin
Fabulous way to use a higher percentage of benzoyl peroxide, but minimizing irritation.
PanOxyl 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Foaming Wash - 5.5oz
Niacinamide serum
Good Molecules Niacinamide Face Serum - 1 fl oz: Smoothing, Vegan, Combination Skin
Treatment - Anti-Aging
Despite the marketing hysteria, only a handful of ingredients have consistent evidence for improving fine lines, pigmentation, and overall skin texture. Most anti-aging products are just moisturizers wearing expensive packaging.
Retinol is the classic over-the-counter retinoid and a good starting point if you’re new to vitamin A products.
RoC Derm Correxion Retinol Face Stick: Anti-Wrinkle, Smoothing, Hypoallergenic Treatment for Normal & Mature Skin
Retinal is one conversion step closer to retinoic acid than retinol, which means it tends to produce stronger effects at lower concentrations.
Prequel Retinal Renew 0.1% Retinaldehyde Gel - 1.7 fl oz
Adapalene is a retinoid originally developed for acne treatment and is one of the most stable and well-tolerated retinoids available over the counter.
Differin Retinoid Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment for Face and Body - 15g: Fragrance-Free, Dye-Free, Phthalate-Free
Treatment - Hyperpigmentation
The ingredients in this section help fade discoloration over time. Consistency matters here, and so does sunscreen. Without UV protection, the sun will happily undo your progress.
Azelaic acid is well tolerated by sensitive skin, which makes it a good option for people who struggle with irritation from stronger actives.
Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% - 1 fl oz: Paraben-Free, Contains Vitamin C, Vegan, For Face & Neck
Vitamin C helps reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin formation and protecting the skin from oxidative damage caused by UV exposure and pollution.
e.l.f. SKIN Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Face Serum
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) helps reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting the transfer of pigment from melanocytes to surrounding skin cells.
BYOMA Clarifying Serum - Anti-Acne, Vegan, Face, Normal Skin
Alpha arbutin, a great hyperpigmentation option.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% - 1 fl oz
Tranexamic acid AND niacinamide in one formulation.
Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Face Serum - 1 fl oz
Vitamin C in a great formulation.
Timeless Skin Care Vitamin C and E Ferulic Acid Serum - 1 fl oz: Firming, Brightening, Paraben-Free, Vegan
Treatment - Texture/Exfoliation
The ingredients here range from stronger resurfacing acids to very gentle exfoliants for sensitive skin. The key is choosing the right strength for your skin. More aggressive isn’t always better, and over-exfoliation is an easy way to make your skin ...
A great combo of glycolic and lactic acid, plus others!
Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel - 7.6 fl oz: Exfoliating Unscented Liquid for Normal Skin, Face Treatment with Glycolic Acid
Glycolic and lactic acids in a mask.
Naturium AHA Exfoliating Mask - 1.7fl oz: Paraben-Free, Multi-Use, Suitable for All Skin Types
Salicylic acid for overall congestion.
Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% - 4 fl oz: Paraben-Free, Vegan, Pore Cleansing, Face Application
A combo of salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acid.
Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Face Treatment - 30ml: Vegan, Unscented, Serum, For Normal & Combination Skin
Lactic acid on its own.
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% High-Strength Exfoliating Serum for Uneven Texture - 1 fl oz - Ulta Beauty
Moisturizer
Moisturizer is the quiet workhorse of a skincare routine. Its job is simple: support the skin barrier so everything else you’re using can do its job without turning your face into a flaky science experiment. Not exciting. Just essential.
Amazing for sensitive skin, it hydrates without irritating.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid & Ceramides for Sensitive Skin
Incredible bounce for oily skin, a gel that doesn't feel greasy.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cream Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid for Normal to Dry Skin
Even more peptides and ceramides! In a light liquid form.
Prequel Half & Half Peptides + Ceramides Fluid Moisturizer
Peptides + ceramides. Dry skin? Don't know her.
Prequel AM/PM Modern Face Moisturizers - Contains Vitamin E, Peptides, Ceramides, For Normal/Dry Skin
Cult-following for a reason, and has a gel version if you're an oily girly.
e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration Face Cream Fragrance Free - 1.8oz: Hydrating, Paraben-Free, Vegan, Normal Skin
Skin barrier rescue! Ok yes, its butt paste in a tube. But its French butt paste!
Avene Cicalfate + Restorative Protective Skin Barrier Face Cream for Sensitive Skin
Peptides can be in your moisturizer too!
Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturizer -1.7 oz: Paraben-Free, Contains Vitamin C, For Normal, Oily, Combination, Mature, Dry Skin
Ceramides that are heavy on the moisture, but no greasiness.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream Face Moisturizer - Hydrating, Contains Peptides, No Fragrance Added
The much-aligned but much-adored, Vaseline!
Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly - 13oz: Moisturizing, Soothing, Hypoallergenic, For Dry Skin
SPF
Let me be clear: if you’re not wearing sunscreen, the rest of your skincare routine is basically wishful thinking. UV exposure drives the majority of premature skin aging, worsens pigmentation, and increases skin cancer risk. It also actively counter...
Chemical filter that is lightweight, non-greasy, plays nice under makeup.
Biore UV Aqua Rich Lightweight Facial Moisturizer Sunscreen with Hyaluronic Acid - SPF 50
Mineral filter, great for sensitive skin and doesn't break you out!
Vanicream Facial Moisturizer SPF 30 Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Chemical filter, non-greasy, plays well under makeup. Also has tinted options.
La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid Face Sunscreen Lotion Oxybenzone-Free - SPF 60
Chemical filter that multitasks by having SPF in your moisturizer!
CeraVe Ultra-Light Face Lotion Moisturizer with Sunscreen - SPF 30 –Noncomedogenic, Paraben-Free, With Hyaluronic Acid
Chemical filter, can be a primer under makeup, or alone for a glowy no-makeup look. She IS that girl.
e.l.f. SKIN Suntouchable Whoa Glow Sunscreen & Primer - Sunbeam - SPF 30 - 1.69 fl oz: Paraben-Free, Sulfate-Free, Vegan, Cream
Mineral filter, I'm obsessed with this one!
Prequel Mineral SPF 50 PA++++ Facial Treatment - SPF 50 - 1.7fl oz