The Best Drugstore Skin Care Products For Every Skin Type

This cleanser is the best kind of product — understated, affordable, and unpretentious. It’s formulated with niacinamide, which helps skin protect its lipid barrier, retain moisture (encouraging plumpness and hydration), minimize the appearance of pores, and soothe inflamed blemishes, all while removing dirt, whether it’s makeup or everyday debris. It also has an invigorating scent perfect for an early-morning wake-up routine, and comes in a simple, easy-to-use gel formula. Who says skincare has to be complicated?

Did you know that ordinary makeup wipes can take years to break down in landfills and can even cause micro-tears, which can prematurely age your skin? Now you do. Our handy, go-to makeup wipes may be convenient, but they just don't make sense environmentally in the long run, especially for a wipe you’ll only use once.

Enter: the makeup remover you need in your life. Versed is an affordable and widely available brand, and their cleansing balm has been in my regimen for months now. It’s an oil-based balm I specifically use to remove makeup, and it does the job beautifully with a calming, soothing fragrance. A dime-sized amount is all you need to wipe a stressful day away, and your tired skin will thank you. 

Every solid skincare routine needs a good exfoliator, and yours is no different. Exfoliation is important because it helps remove dirt buildup and impurities, and it encourages cell regeneration, giving skin a youthful and glowy appearance. This brightening facial scrub is — amazingly — great for all skin types and works best when used 2-3 times per week. It has an incredible ingredient list of botanicals which help soothe and regenerate your skin in just a few uses, and it’s 100% vegan. With tons of prestigious awards from the beauty industry, this scrub is one you can trust. 

If you don’t put on an SPF before you walk out the door every morning, stop what you’re doing right now. Even if you can’t see it right away, UVA and UVB rays can encourage premature aging and create fine lines. Something as simple as wearing an SPF every day can reduce your chances of developing certain skin cancers. This lotion has an SPF of 30 and works well for all skin types. Throwing on just a few dabs underneath your normal makeup as a primer or even on its own if you’re going fresh-faced is a great way to incorporate SPF into your daily regimen. 

We’ve all struggled with blemishes and acne flare ups, and it can be super frustrating if you’re struggling with them even into adulthood with little to no success. Differin Gel is like a prescribed medication specifically for your acne, but an affordable one that’s available without going to see a dermatologist. The award-winning formula relies on a high-powered retinoid that soothes uneven texture and prevents breakouts, flare ups, whiteheads, and blackheads, and evens out your skin tone. Take that, junk food binge.

If you haven’t found The Ordinary yet, this is your wake up call. Honestly, they’re a model for how all other skincare brands should be: affordable (like, really affordable) and accessible while still giving you the feeling of using a luxury product. This caffeine solution serum is specifically designed to ease the appearance of dark undereye circles and has thousands of positive reviews to prove it. It’s also made without oil or alcohol, and it’s vegan and cruelty free for a price point that’ll make you question why you’ve been paying for pricier serums that don’t do the job as well as this one. 

This moisturizer is a drugstore holy grail product and has the beauty awards and the reviews to prove it. The cream formula is lightweight and won’t clog pores, and it’s nourishing enough to give skin a bouncy, hydrated appearance. It also contains tons of amazing ingredients that our skin craves like peptides, niacinamide, squalane, and hyaluronic acid, all to lock in and retain moisture for smoother, more even-toned skin.

Is there anything better than sinking into a hot bath after a stressful day? Survey says: not at all. Sugar scrubs and other bath products have been on the market for a while now, but it’s hard to separate the actual effective stuff from its counterparts. This sugar scrub is the perfect solution for an indulgent bath. It’s moisturizing without being drying and gives you a soothing ritual to look forward to. It also comes in tons of different scents, like rose, coconut lime, lychee and plum, lemon blueberry tart, vanilla bean...the list goes on. Whether you’re into floral or fruity scents, there’s definitely one out there for you to take your bath to the next level. 

I’ve never really been a lover of lotion, especially when the texture left my hands feeling greasy or slippery (yuck). With winter behind us and spring ahead though, I still find my hands dry and chapped and seeking relief. This lotion is exactly what your dry skin and post-shower routine needs. The formula is thicker than most lotions, so a little goes a long way, and the rose scent is ideally subtle for a not-overpowering addition. The murumuru butter and other naturally derived ingredients do an amazing job of hydrating skin all day, and they do it all without leaving skin feeling greasy, oily, slippery, or textured. 

If you’re like me, you go through countless chapsticks and lip balms all the time just trying to find one that won’t dry out your lips and has the perfect texture. Not only does this lip balm fit the bill, but it also applies a sheer amount of color (available in six different shades) and has an SPF of 20. It’s literally a triple threat, with sun protection, lip care, and subtle, flattering color all in one. It doesn’t dry out lips, but provides the perfect amount of moisture to repair lips and give them some fullness, whether you’re doing a full face of makeup or enjoying a no-makeup day.