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The older I get, the more I start to pay attention to skin care. I probably should have started sooner, but I figure it’s better late than never. But the world of skin care feels incredibly complicated, especially if you’re on a budget! Serums, moisturizers, retinoids… what in the world?
Some of those products at a beauty store will run you upwards of $50, but the good news is that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to take care of your skin. There are products available at your local drugstores as well as at places like Target and Walmart that will do the job just as well. And if you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know that you can get these kinds of items even cheaper than the listed price if you watch the sales and match coupons.
The first step in figuring out how to take care of your skin is to decide what you want to focus on. The guide I’m using is by a woman named Jamie B. Golden, who has a 10-step skincare routine that she follows. I’m not doing everything she recommends, but am focusing on the following products in my own skincare routine: cleansers, exfoliants, toners, and moisturizers. If you want to do a bit more, you can also look for a retinoid and/or a serum. Feel like I’m speaking a different language? Check out this great guide to skin care 101 that explains what all the different products are.
(If you want similar recommendations for hair care, check out the best drugstore hair care products!)
Note: I’ve linked to each item at the CVS WEBSITE, just so you can see more about it and compare prices, but that’s not necessarily the best place to buy each item.
Looking at reviews from various sites, plus beauty bloggers and personal experiences, here are the best drugstore skin care products that are way cheaper than their big salon counterparts. I’ve separated them into categories, so you can choose which one you prefer (or just which one is on sale right now!)
The Best Drugstore Skin Care Products
Cleansers (oil-based)
Palmer’s Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil
Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil
Cleansers (water-based)
Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Nourishing Cleanser
Exfoliants
Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub
Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser
Retinoids and Serums
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Face Cream
Cerave Skin Renewing Retinol Cream
L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Serum
Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum
Moisturizers (with SPF)
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50
Cerave Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM SPF 30
Toners
Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner
Biore Witch Hazel Pore Clarifying Toner
Miscellaneous
Neutrogena On the Spot Acne Treatment
Do you already have a skincare routine? Share it with us in the comments!
