As a teenager, I was proud of myself if I manged to wash my makeup off before bed. I knew people had skincare routines, and after brief research, I learned that a lot of those routines were costly. And I tried them. The popular impression is that you should spend top dollar for your skincare. Without a good base, your makeup will never look as good as you want. While I do agree–skincare is an important foundation for makeup and general skin health–the most expensive isn’t aaalways the best.
I’m a self proclaimed product junkie. I love trying new skincare. High end, drugstore–I’ve tested and trialed (loved and hated) a lot. And for the most part, my skin has always been pretty cooperative. However, recently I’ve run into some roadblocks. My skin is becoming increasingly sensitive, drier than it has been before, and easily aggravated. And I’ve found a lot of great drugstore options my skin loves over the past few years.
Today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite skincare from the drugstore and under $30 (because the drugstore prices are creeping up). I classified “drugstore” as items and brands that can be found at traditional drugstores (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, etc.) and Ulta (because they do sell drugstore products). There a ton of affordable and inexpensive skincare that can be found at online retailers, but I wanted to make it easy for the instant satisfaction factor. You can get these in store.
Cleansers
Whamisa Green Tea Foaming Cleansing Gel: Whamisa is a fairly new brand to me, but one I have really enjoyed. I love this cleanser because it foams and really cleanses my face and pores from makeup and impurities, but it doesn’t leave it dry and flaky. It turns from a lightweight gel into a foam, which helps to purify pores and remove makeup and debris. Green tea naturally balances the skin’s hydration, leaving behind hydrated and clean skin.
$20, target.com
Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing/Makeup Remover: If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times–I love cleansers I can also use to effectively remove my makeup. That’s why I love this cleanser. Like the cleanser from Whamisa, it removes makeup and impurities without drying the skin. It’s also free of harsh chemicals, sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, dyes, and phthalates.
$7.99, ulta.com
Cera Ve Foaming Face Wash: This is maybe the best cleanser at the drugstore, in my opinion. If my skin starts acting up or I try something I don’t love, this is my fallback cleanser. It’s non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores, contains niacinamide to calm skin, and works up to a gentle foam that cleanses and refreshes skin. This isn’t the best for makeup removal–I usually remove makeup beforehand.
$14.99, ulta.com
Serums
Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum: I’ve mentioned my love of vitamin C as a skincare ingredient before, so it’s not surprise I love this. Vitamin C is great for boosting collagen health and skin renewal, and since this contains hyaluronic acid, it’s going to retain moisture in your skin. You can use this in the AM or PM.
$19.99, ulta.com
White & Elm Rosehip & Argan Antioxidant Serum: This serum from White & Elm fights against aging by stopping damage from free radicals from sun exposure, pollution, and other enviro-pollutants. I like to apply this right after I cleanse the skin or after using a toner, so that my skin has a little dampness, and I just lightly bounce it into my skin with my fingers. It feels nice on the skin, and is one of those products I just enjoy using daily.
$28, target.com
Toners
Whamisa Green Tea Serum Toner: This is one of those bouncy toners that almost double as a serum and is perfect for my oily/combo skin girls. Vitamins A and C work to refine troubled skin while kale and broccoli brighten–all the while adding immense hydration. I think this is best applied with your fingers, that way you get to feel the bouncy texture.
$22, target.com
Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel w/ Aloe Vera: This is one you’ve probably heard about before. It’s alcohol free, so you don’t run the risk of it irritating your skin when you’re trying to balance it. Rose petals are full of oils and sugars that will help restore dehydrated skin and help you achieve a natural and glowing complexion.
The rose combined with witch hazel to tighten pores, control oil production and locking hydration in while keeping free radicals out. It’s also full of vitamin C, which we know helps with collagen production and strengthening skin cells as well as aloe, which is going to seriously soothe your skin.
$9.29, target.com
Mario Badescu Alpha Grapefruit Cleansing Lotion: Don’t be afraid of the citrusy grapefruit; this product is anything but alcohol-y. It doesn’t sting your face; instead, the citrus works to naturally break down pore congestion and dead skin cells and leaves you with a healthy, smooth glow. It’s soothing because of the aloe, and is great for all skin tones, including sensitive. I like to use this morning and night after cleansing. However, this is not good to get in your eyes, so I’d avoid your eye area.
$15, ulta.com
Moisturizers
Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentrate: If you’ve never heard of this cult favorite, where have you been? This favorite of makeup artists, celebrities, and models is also dubbed as the 24-hour miracle cream for good reason. It’s a creamy 3-in-1 product that’s good for moisturizer, primer, and makeup remover. While it’s ideal for dry skin, anyone can benefit from the firming and anti-aging qualities of this moisturizer. It’s so basic, and that’s why I love it so much.
$28, target.com
Derma E Firming DMAE Moisturizer: To my youngins, Derma E has other great moisturizers for you. The DMAE Moisturizer is great for those looking to visibly firm and lift. It contains ingredients to address loss of elasticity as well as oils and antioxidants to nourish and hydrate the skin. I tend to only use this in the evening, but it does wear well under makeup if you wanted to use it in the morning as well.
This can be irritating for some skin, so make sure you perform a patch test–where you apply it to a small part of your skin to see if you react–before applying to your whole face.
$21.99, ulta.com
Cera Ve Moisturizing Cream: There’s nothing complicated about this moisturizer. It’s very creamy and a little thick, so it’s best suited for dry skin. I have pretty normal skin, and I like this a lot. It’s full of hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated and ceramides to keep the skin’s protective barrier healthy.
I tend to get small psoriasis patches on my eye lids, and this is amazing for it. If you suffer from psoriasis or eczema, I think you’ll enjoy this.
$11, target.com
Eye Creams
Derma E Hydrating Eye Cream: If you don’t think you need eye cream, that’s when you should start wearing eye cream. In my opinion, it’s better to take preventative measures before you start seeing signs of again, and I love this eye cream from Derma E. While I don’t personally see the plumping effect of fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes (as I don’t really have any), I notice the hydrating effects of the hyaluronic acid immediately.
$21.99, ulta.com
Whamisa Chai Tea Eye Cream: I love the Chai Tea eye cream from Whamisa when I want to look awake and 100% don’t. The antioxidants in this are mixed with Rooibos Tea extract to brighten and soothe the eye area.
$26, target.com
Elf Hydragel Under Eye Mask: Technically this isn’t an eye cream, but I do like to use these to freshen and wake up my under eye area. I like to use this before events or when I want my makeup to look fantastic. Just place them under your eyes for 10-15 minutes, remove, and pat in the gel. Your under eye area is left plump, bright, hydrated. It’s also a 3-pack, so they’re really affordable in comparison to other under eye masks.
$8, target.com
Masks
Vichy Double Glow Peel Mask: My skin doesn’t love physical exfoliates, so I like to use masks like this from Vichy to get my skin feeling smooth. It’s a 5 minute mask, which is great when you don’t want to wait too long. Immediately after application, skin is gently exfoliated and begins to looks fresher.
Don’t let the name fool you, however. This isn’t a peel-off mask. You’ll apply and leave on for 5 minutes. Gently massage to exfoliate, and then rinse with warm water.
$20, ulta.com
Masqueology Watermelon Moisturizing Glow Mask: You’re going to be on trend with this watermelon based sheet mask, which has quickly become a staple in my sheet mask arsenal. Watermelon is great for hydrating and refreshing the skin, plus it’s cooling, making it perfect for after sun care. The mask itself is heavily saturated with serum, and fits on the face well without slipping and sliding all over the place. After about 15 minutes minutes, remove the sheet and pat in the serum.
What’s great about sheet masks is that you usually don’t have to rinse. What you’re left with after use is glowing and plump skin. I really can’t describe this one enough to do it justice. You have to try it, trust me.
$2.50, walmart.com
L’Oreal Detox & Brightening Clay Mask: If you’ve wanted to try the comparable mask from GlamGlow, don’t. Just use this instead. This charcoal mask will draw out impurities and deeply clean your pores, leaving you with clean and illuminated skin. Plus it doesn’t bear the hefty price tag on its GlamGlow counterpart.
$12.99, ulta.com
Makeup Removers
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water: While I love cleansers that double as makeup removers, sometimes I need a little something else. Micellar water is great because the micelles attract dirt, oil, and makeup and lift it away without the need for harsh rubbing. Because of it’s water-like nature, this is great on all skin types to remove makeup and cleanse the skin.
It usually takes me about 2 cotton pads to remove everything from my face when using this. And I feel like it lasts forever.
$8.99, ulta.com
Ponds Cold Cream: Cold cream is not for everyone, but I really love it. It’s a thick, creamy cleanser that feels more like lotion that a typical facial soap. Massage it onto your dry skin to remove makeup, dirt, and oils, and wipe off with a tissue or facial cotton. Since it’s 50% moisturizer, you can get away with using it on its own–for clean, soft, and glowing skin in one step.
$4.99, target.com
Acne Treatments
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion: I don’t suffer from breakouts often, but this is always a staple when I do. It’s great to apply at night to dry up any pesky blemishes while you sleep. You can use this on spots on your face, neck, back, chest…anywhere.
No matter how much you want to, don’t shake the bottle. You want the pink part to settle at the bottom. And you’ll slide your Q-tip straight down, and then apply. It’s not a huge deal if you do shake it a little–just let it sit on a flat surface overnight, and it’ll be as good as new.
$17, ulta.com
Exfoliates
Neutrogena Purifying Pore Scrub: As I said, physical exfoliates are not my absolute favorite, but I’ve not had any major irritation with this one. It’s formulated with jojoba beads to give a gentle exfoliation that can be used daily. But I’d use it about 2 times a week. It also contains a natural salicylic acid to gently wash away impurities and keep the skin balanced and clean.
$7.99, ulta.com
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads: Do you notice small bumps beneath your skin around your chin or forehead? They aren’t really pimples, but annoying nonetheless? Me too, and these exfoliating cleansing pads have helped tremendously. Each pad is soaked in glycolic acid (which helps with resurfacing and texture), hyaluronic acid (for moisture and to refresh), and blue daisy (to soothe and calm). Lightly wipe pad across face and decollete 1-2x a day.
$17.29, walgreens.com
Earth Sciences Papaya Glycolic Gentle Skin Peel: Apply a thin layer of this fruity mask, let it sit for about 20 minutes, and when you rinse it off you’re left with glowing, smooth, and plumped skin. It’s really as simple as that.
$14.99, target.com
While I don’t necessarily use all of these products every day, or even use every step everyday, these are products I have tried and have enjoyed. Some I use now, some I’ve swapped out. But I love them regardless. What are some of your drugstore favorites?
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