Best Drugstore Skincare Products [Review] in 2022
written by nail expert Jess Rowley
See full list of products
Cetaphil Daily Cleansing Wash
TOP CHOICE
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Wash
OUR PICK
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair
RUNNER UP
Who doesn’t love a bargain?
I don’t know about you but I’m not spending hundreds in a skincare routine. Using high end products can be worth it, but a skincare routine is only good when you can actually afford to follow it. The good news is that you can find drugstore friendly products that are worth every penny.
Just because we are on a budget, doesn’t mean we’re putting just anything on our skin, or that we don’t want glowing skin. If you wondering how you can build the best drugstore skincare routine with drugstore products then don’t miss this.
So check this out.
From moisturizers to cleansers and everything in between, I will be picking out dermatologist approved skincare products that are affordable and high quality. I’ll show you the best drugstore skincare products you should be including for your skin type, as well as how to incorporate them into your routine.
Here’s a tip-You need to know what your skin type is and which skin concerns you wish to target. That way you’ll be able to purchase only the products you really need, with the right ingredients, for example, specific essential oils you want without wasting money on products you won’t be using. You may also be interested in essential oils in skincare.
Let’s jump in
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Review Of The Best Drugstore Skincare 2021
Cetaphil Daily Cleansing Wash
Best drugstore face wash for sensitive skin
If you have sensitive skin, then a dermatologically tested cleanser is a good place to start.
The Cetaphil Daily Cleansing Wash is ideal if you want to maintain the moisture whilst getting rid of bacteria from the day. It’s perfect for those who have damaged their skin’s natural barrier, for example in sunburn, or who have very dry, sensitive skin.
I love that the Cetaphil lotion has an all-in-one approach, meaning you can use this for your body and your face. You can use it for your body too, it gentle washes away dirt without overly stripping those dry parts such as elbows and knees that can sometimes become cracked and painful.
But wait.
An extremely important feature of the Cetaphil is that it is fragrance-free and paraben-free, so your skin will love it. No wonder it is recommended by dermatologists!
What more can I say? Cetaphil is a strong hydrating gentle cleanser that promises to deliver 24-hour moisture from dry, sensitive skin and clean the skin gently. From the over 29,000 five-star reviews, I’d say it does the job pretty well. Enriched with sweet almond oil and vitamin E, and value for money, it’s a winner!
Click on the blue button below to take a look for yourself!
- Good for sensitive skin
- 24 hr moisture
- Can be used as body wash
- Not harsh
- None
Latest deal: Cetaphil Daily Cleansing Wash
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Wash
Best drugstore face wash for dry skin
This is my all-time favorite facial cleanser for dry skin.
The Cerave Hydrating Facial Wash is a gentle way of cleansing the oil and bacteria from your skin. If you have dry skin that gets itchy and sore from using stripping cleansers, then this one is worth having a look at.
This cleanser comes with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin to help hydrate skin without stripping moisture. It provides intense hydration and maintains the skin’s moisture levels for 24 hours. This in turn contributes to the barrier function of the skin, so you get a healthy glow and reduced fine lines.
But that’s not all.
The best part about Cerave is that it has essential ceramides that are found in the skin and in the lipid barrier. That means you know you can trust what’s in the product, knowing it has exactly what your skin needs to maintain and restore the barrier. This is particularly useful since most dry skin is caused by a lack of ceramides in the skin.
Whether you have sensitive, or oily, acne-prone skin, the Cerave cleanser has a lotion like consistency to hydrate and cleanse. It contains everything your skin needs to be healthy and is fragrance-free and paraben-free. It also has the National Eczema Association (NEA) seal of approval making it safe to use for those with extremely dry or sensitive skin.
Check out the 5-star reviews!
- Fragrance free
- Contains Hyaluronic acid
- Lotion like consistency
- 24hrs moisture
- Big bottle
Latest deal: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Wash
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
Looking for the best moisturizer under makeup for oily skin? Look no further.
La Roche Posay is ideal if you want calm, oil-free, everyday hydration. I’m talking about moisture with a light, non-greasy feel that you can wear under your makeup. It comes in the Effaclar Mat range specially formulated for oily skin types that need a matte finish and smaller pores.
I love that this moisturizer has been dermatologically tested to keep shine at bay, including mattifying the skin and refining pores. It contains Sebulyse Technology, so you can say goodbye to excess oil, whilst hydrating your skin.
But wait let me tell you about this.
A great feature of this is that it doesn’t contain oil, and it’s water-based providing lightweight moisture that leaves your skin nourished. It’s perfect if you have blemish-prone skin and clogged pores. This moisturizer will help to tighten your pores after cleansing, to prevent breakouts.
What more can I say? La Roche Posay brand is known to be a leading skincare brand that provides all the right ingredients in their products so you can keep your skin hydrated. It is a calm hydrating gel cream or gel moisturizer that promises to reduce texture to deliver a good even base for makeup and hydrated skin. It’s a winner!
Click on the blue button below to take a look for yourself!
- Oil-free and non-comedogenic
- Sebulyse Technology for excess oil
- Great base for makeup
- Mattifies skin and refines pores
- Slightly pricier
Latest deal:La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
4.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost
Best drugstore moisturizer for dry skin
Treat yourself to the Neutrogena Hydro boost gel for your next facial moisturizer.
The Neutrogena gel provides an easily absorbed hydration that has hyaluronic acid for a boost of moisture. It’s light enough that you can wear it daily, but will still lock in moisture for a smooth skin finish.
This gel moisturizer is ideal for keeping your face super hydrated. The hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the skin and works with water to trap moisture in the skin’s barrier. This means that although it is a lightweight formula, it performs double duty in richness and relieving intense dryness for a long time so you won’t even know it’s there.
But that’s not the best part.
The Neutrogena gel is very good for people with sensitive skin, as it has a clean formula. That means no nasties such as fragrance, dye, or oil and it has been tested by dermatologists too. Plus a non-comedogenic formula means it won’t clog your pores despite the richness, meaning no breakouts.
Whether you’re looking for the best face moisturizer dry skin or your next favorite day cream to wear under makeup, the Neutrogena gel boost is your next go -to. Easy to slip on with all-day lock-in hydration and essential hyaluronic acid we’ll be taking this everywhere.
Have you added this one to your basket yet?
- Hyaluronic acid
- Lightweight, rich gel formula
- Fragrance free and dye free
- Non comedogenic
- Heavy packaging
Latest deal: Neutrogena Hydro Boost
5.
Olay Regenerist Moisturizer
This is my all-time favorite.
Olay Regenerist Microsculpting cream is long known for its anti wrinkle formulas with no harmful ingredients, and this one is no exception. The Olay Regenrist is an oil free moisturizer has been crafted to provide moisture and hydration to your face without adding extra shine or oil. It’s ideal for combination skin that is mature.
This oil-free moisturizer has everything you could want in it, from amino peptides to smooth and visibly brighten skin tone, and vitamin B3 to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Together these two ingredients will help to regenerate surface skin cells and hydrate without adding extra shine.
But that’s not all.
The best part about Olay Regenerist is that it niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to hydrate your skin and increase cell turnover. That makes it perfect for preventing and treating wrinkles to give you a youthful glow.
Olay Regenerist has everything you need to see results from day 1. Did I mention is free from fragrance, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil and synthetic dyes? Whether you have sensitive combination skin or mature skin, you won’t find another like it
Overall, I’d say this is the best gel moisturizer for oily blemish-prone skin.
- Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
- Lift and firm skin
- Fragrance free and paraben free
- Reduce appearance of wrinkles
- Slightly pricey
Latest deal: Olay Regenerist Moisturizer
6.
The ordinary peeling solution and HA
This is one of the best inexpensive serums on the market.
The Ordinary have a range of serums that you can purchase. The brand is all about transparency and simple products that deliver results as well as the high-end ones. I’m talking about restoring moisture and treating skin concerns in easy-to-use bottles with a low price tag.
I love The Ordinary peeling solution with ahas and bhas. These provide gentle exfoliating acids that help to exfoliate and get rid of dead skin cells easily. In this 10min masque, you’ll be able to gently cleanse and remove in depth dirt and dead cells properly without damaging the skin’s barrier.
But there’s more.
Another great serum in this range is the Hyaluronic acid serum. Very inexpensive, it’s a perfect way of locking in moisture and water into the skin. It helps to protect the skin and make it plump, renewing the skin barrier. This will keep your skin hydrated all day and lock in moisture.
What more can I say? The Ordinary is known to be a leading skincare brand that provides all the right ingredients in its products so you can keep your skin hydrated. It has no dyes, or fragrances, and no harsh irritants making it suitable for even more sensitive skin. it’s a winner!
Check out the rest of the range!
- Free from fragrance
- Gentle exfoliation
- Hyaluronic acid
- Repairs skin barrier
- Small bottles
Latest deal: The ordinary peeling solution and HA
6.
The ordinary peeling solution and HA
This is one of the best inexpensive serums on the market.
The Ordinary have a range of serums that you can purchase. The brand is all about transparency and simple products that deliver results as well as the high-end ones. I’m talking about restoring moisture and treating skin concerns in easy-to-use bottles with a low price tag.
I love The Ordinary peeling solution with ahas and bhas. These provide gentle exfoliating acids that help to exfoliate and get rid of dead skin cells easily. In this 10min masque, you’ll be able to gently cleanse and remove in depth dirt and dead cells properly without damaging the skin’s barrier.
But there’s more.
Another great serum in this range is the Hyaluronic acid serum. Very inexpensive, it’s a perfect way of locking in moisture and water into the skin. It helps to protect the skin and make it plump, renewing the skin barrier. This will keep your skin hydrated all day and lock in moisture.
What more can I say? The Ordinary is known to be a leading skincare brand that provides all the right ingredients in its products so you can keep your skin hydrated. It has no dyes, or fragrances, and no harsh irritants making it suitable for even more sensitive skin. it’s a winner!
Check out the rest of the range!
- Free from fragrance
- Gentle exfoliation
- Hyaluronic acid
- Repairs skin barrier
- Small bottles
Latest deal: The ordinary peeling solution and HA
7.
Paulas Choice Benzoyl Peroxide Cream
If you want a treatment for acne, then this is a drugstore favorite.
The Paula’s choice benzoyl peroxide cream is designed for acne prone skin and is great for treating breakouts and spots. With active ingredients and no harmful chemicals, it’s more likely to be kinder and less irritating on your skin than chemical formulas.
One of the unique things that I love about Paula’s Choice cream is that you can use it daily as an acne treatment. It works to minimize acne and prevent breakouts, as well as calm redness and reduce excess oil. It won’t be irritating on your skin but will be effective against acne.
Listen to this.
Paula’s Choice cream is formulated to target acne with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. It also serves to hydrate and soothe the skin, using non fragrant nourishing plant extracts. This cream works for all skin types and can be useful against cystic acne.
Paula’s Choice is full of good ingredients but most importantly it will leave out harmful ones such as fragrance and harmful parabens making it perfect for mature skin too and anti-aging. The cream works on all types of acne, so you can get that glowy, clear complexion.
Check out the link!
- Free from fragrance
- Active ingredients
- Non drying
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Not as strong as prescription
Latest deal: Paulas Choice Benzoyl Peroxide Cream
Best Drugstore Skincare Products- A Buyer’s Guide
When it comes to skincare, everyone is different, but not many of us can really afford to splurge every month on skincare products. Regardless, you can still find the perfect fragrance free formula, or a hydrating serum or gentle cleansers with salicylic acid to even out skin texture or smooth fine lines.
Whether you have super dry skin, or have a greasy feeling after using moisturizer, there is the right skincare product for each of your skin concerns. From soothing dry skin to protecting against free radical damage and hosting collagen production.
Which one was your favorite product?
How to make a drugstore skincare routine
There are three basic steps to every skincare routine.
Step 1- Cleanser
The first step is always to go with a cleanser. Use a face wash to start with a clean base, twice a day to get rid of the day’s bacteria and dirt. It can be a good way of preventing acne.
Dry skin- If you have dry skin, then you need to find a hydrating cleanser with moisturizing ingredients. It’s key that this is a super gentle face wash, and that you don’t over wash your face.
Sensitive skin– To reduce redness find a cleanser that is gentle. You need to avoid washing your face too much in the day to avoid stripping natural oils.
Oily skin-For oily skin it’s even more important to use a cleanser twice a day that can break down the excess oil.
Step 2 -Serum
If you want to use a serum or a treatment for your skin concern, now is the time. You can rehydrate the skin, use wrinkle treatment, acne treatment or any other that you wish.
Dry skin- For dry skin types, it can be a good idea to use hydrating hyaluronic acid to replenish the skin’s moisture. This serum can lock in moisture and get water to the skin’s surface.
Sensitive skin- For sensitive skin, you can use niacinamide which is good to reduce pores and prevent acne or redness. It’s a great serum for everyone!
Oily skin- You can tone if you wish with glycolic acid toner, or lactic acid. If you use acne treatments I’d recommend using benzoyl peroxide, which is an active ingredient.
Step 3- Moisturizer
All skin types need to finish off with a moisturizer and spf.
Dry skin-A heavier moisturizer is best, but if you prefer go for a rich night cream. A thicker nourishing cream rather than a body lotion is preferable. Even petroleum jelly is good for chapped lips and dry skin.
Sensitive skin- Go for a fragrance free moisturizer to prevent irritated skin. If you have mature skin, it’s worth getting a retinol product or a drugstore eye cream.
Oily skin-You’ll need a non comedogenic moisturizer so it doesn’t clog pores. The oil free formula hydrates but without clogging pores. Go for salicylic acid too. The key here is lightweight hydration, but don’t miss this step!
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a board certified dermatologist to get your hands on quality skincare products. Whether you want to fade dark spots with a vitamin c serum, or a few drops of facial oil, a powerful antioxidant or an spf to prevent sun damage.
You’ll find a gentle cleanser or vitamin c serum for skin cell turnover and less dark spots in a drugstore to be just as efficient as a high end product.
Which is your drugstore favorite?
Jess Rowley
Cheif Editor & Nail Technician Expert
ABOUT
Jess Rowley, a veteran nail tech, has been studying beauty over the last 11 years and has completed the nail technology program in California. Watching the latest trends in beauty, Jess searches for the highest quality products that make your nails feel loved.
