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18 Drugstore Skincare Finds That Rival Luxury Products, According to Cosmo Editors
From iconic brands like CeraVe, Cetaphil, Neutrogena, L'Oreal Paris, and more.
When it comes to skincare, just because something is expensive or considered a luxury doesn't necessarily mean it's better for your face. Things like whipped textures, fancy fragrance, and Instagrammable packaging (you know, the stuff that make those products $300+) are nice for show, but they’re not actually giving you better skin than the alternative: drugstore skincare products.
Though there’s absolutely nothing wrong with spending money on the glitz and glam, you also don’t need to. That's where drugstore products come into play; they're straightforward, affordable, and incredibly effective. Seriously, the majority of the products in my medicine cabinet are available at CVS, and the same goes for my fellow Cosmo beauty editors too.
Go ahead and try one (or several) of these 18 best drugstore skincare products below, and see for yourself. From potent face serums to ultra-nourishing face moisturizers from classic brands like CeraVe, Cetaphil, Neutrogena, and more, these are the best affordable products you can buy right now without compromising your bank account.
Pros
- 13.5 oz bottle is an excellent value
- Great for anyone who uses actives in their routine but still wants a cleanser that foams
Cons
- Potentially drying for ultra-sensitive skin types (in that case, try the milky hydrating version instead)
Why we love it: Purifying is often synonymous with drying, but not when it comes to this deep-cleaning face wash. It's excellent at removing excess oil and buildup on the skin without stripping away moisture or disrupting your barrier. Plus, it's great for all skin types—especially those who are sensitive and acne-prone.
Cosmo editor review: "This is one of the top three face washes I've ever tried. I've used it on and off for years and recommend it to everyone. The level of foaminess is perfect, and it really helps get my combo skin clean without drying it out. Also, the bottle is gigantic, so it lasts me forever." —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Cleanser |
| Best for | Oily skin, combo skin, sensitive skin |
| Key ingredients | Ceramides, niacinamide |
Pros
- Thoroughly removes makeup and cleanses skin in one step
- Helps keep skin hydrated for up to 24 hours post-cleanse
- Gentle enough to use around your eyes
Cons
- Some reviewers say it has a chemical-like odor
Why we love it: Consider this your double cleanse in a single step. The formula starts as an oil to break down makeup and buildup, and then transforms into a fluffy foam to get skin nice and clean with zero residue.
Cosmo editor review: "I know everyone raves about Cetaphil's Daily Facial Cleanser, but people should be talking about this new oil-to-foam option from the brand instead. I love using it on nights when I'm too tired to do a real double cleanse but still need to break down my SPF and makeup." —LB
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Cleanser |
| Best for | Dry skin, combo skin, sensitive skin |
| Key ingredients | Flaxseed oil, pentavitin |
Pros
- 2025 Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award winner
- Works to thoroughly remove makeup on eyes, lips, and face
Cons
- Likely too mattifying for anyone with dry skin
Why we love it: Hate oil cleansing? This micellar water is the perfect alternative. It's mess-free and ideal for oily and acne-prone skin types, since it removes pore-clogging makeup and excess oil while helping to mattify skin with a touch of salicylic acid.
Cosmo editor review: “This micellar water contains salicylic acid, which is great for controlling excess oil and keeping acne-prone skin like mine in check. I like how much product comes in the bottle (it legit lasts forever) and how easily the formula removes even stubborn makeup with just one swipe. I use it both as a makeup remover and as an added step to my nighttime cleansing routine.”—MACKENZIE DUNN, SENIOR COMMERCE MANAGER
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Micellar water |
| Best for | Oily skin, acne-prone skin |
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid |
Pros
- Specially formulated for sensitive skin types
- Easily removes waterproof eye makeup
Cons
- Some reviewers say it can leave a little bit of film behind
Why we love it: Makeup removal has never been easier. Simply soak a cotton round in this drugstore micellar water and swipe it across your face to quickly refresh your skin in the morning or remove your makeup at the end of the day.
Cosmo editor review: "As someone with dry skin, my face just can’t handle makeup wipes. So I love using this micellar water from La Roche-Posay as a pre-cleanse in my skincare routine on the days I wear makeup. It doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry, and it takes off everything from blush to mascara with just a few generous swipes." —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Micellar water |
| Best for | Dry skin, combo skin, sensitive skin |
| Key ingredients | Thermal water, glycerin |
Pros
- Repeat Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award and Cosmo Readers' Choice Beauty Award winner
- Oil-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic
Cons
- Contains petrolatum, which may end up being too heavy for oilier skin
Why we love it: CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream needs no introduction. The gentle yet highly effective formula is loved by dermatologists, editors, and Cosmo readers for its ability to moisturize skin and protect the skin barrier.
Cosmo editor review: "When I had an allergic reaction earlier in the summer that left my face red, peeling, and so dry, I needed a heavy-duty moisturizer that wouldn’t further irritate my face. I ran to CVS and got a giant tub of this to nurse my skin back to health. In just two days, my skin was free of any flaking or redness." —JH
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Moisturizer |
| Best for | Dry skin, combo skin, sensitive skin |
| Key ingredients | Ceramides, hyaluronic acid |
Pros
- Oil-free and non-comedogenic formula won't clog pores
- Gel-like texture feels refreshing and cooling on skin
Cons
- Contains fragrance which can be potentially irritating for sensitive skin
Why we love it: Proof that not all moisturizers need to be thick and greasy to provide serious hydration. This gel-cream makes skin plump and supple without clogging pores or feeling heavy.
Cosmo editor review: "I come back to this moisturizer at least once a year, which is high praise considering I have drawers upon drawers of moisturizers. It's a simple formula that seriously hydrates my skin but feels like I've got nothing on. It's my go-to in the summer when my skin is especially oily." —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Face moisturizer |
| Best for | Combo skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin |
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid |
Pros
- It's one of the only creams marketed for face and body that I'd actually use on my face and body
- Deeply moisturizes while somehow feeling relatively lightweight
Cons
- Feels kinda icky to repeatedly stick your fingers in the tub jar for sanitation purposes
Why we love it: Everyone needs a do-it-all cream like this one in their skincare arsenal. It nourishes dry skin without feeling heavy or sticky and can be used on your face or body. It's fragrance-free and made with soothing cica, so it's a safe bet for easily aggravated skin.
Cosmo editor review: "This has been the workhorse of my skincare routine lately. I've been using it a million ways—as a body moisturizer on my arms and legs after the shower, as a non-greasy hand cream before bed, and as a soothing treatment when I've overdone it on my retinol and my skin needs some TLC." —LB
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Face and body moisturizer |
| Best for | Dry and sensitive skin |
| Key ingredients | Panthenol, cica, glycerin |
Pros
- 2025 Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award winner
- Made without silicones, parabens, or fragrance
- Accepted by the National Eczema Society
Cons
- Some reviewers say it doesn't absorb into skin as well as other healing creams
Why we love it: Whether you're dealing with eczema flare-ups or plain old dry and itchy skin, this soothing balm will be a welcome addition to your routine thanks to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties.
Cosmo editor review: “I have very dry, very sensitive, and very acne-prone skin, so I need any treatment I use to give me as much moisture and nourishment as possible without causing breakouts. Avene XeraCalm checks both boxes. I use it as the last step in my nighttime routine to keep eczema flare-ups in check and soothe any redness—all without clogging my pores.” —OLIVIA TRUFFAUT-WONG, EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Balm |
| Best for | Sensitive skin |
| Key ingredients | Colloidal oatmeal |
Pros
- Repeat Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award and Cosmo Readers' Choice Beauty Award winner
- Has a million different uses; like the Windex of skincare
Cons
- Contains lanolin, which may be irritating for ultra-sensitive skin types
Why we love it: This classic barrier balm can repair literally every inch of dry, cracked skin, including lips, elbows, and hands. It's a long-time favorite among Cosmo editors and readers alike.
Cosmo editor review: "I don’t leave my house in the morning without my beloved tube of Aquaphor. It’s my favorite drugstore skincare product, hands down. I use it to moisturize chapped lips, soften rough cuticles, and heal cuts or scrapes, and in a pinch, it can double as highlighter, eye gloss, and brow gel too." —LB
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Ointment |
| Best for | All skin types |
| Key ingredients | Petrolatum, lanolin |
Pros
- Fast-absorbing formula looks clear on all skin tones
- Excellent for using under makeup as a primer
Cons
- Chemical SPF may be irritating for sensitive skin types
Why we love it: The perfect everyday face sunscreen for people who hate the feeling of sunscreen. This SPF 50 formula is oil-free yet still moisturizing and leaves behind zero white cast or sticky film.
Cosmo editor review: "If I can feel sunscreen on my face, I likely won't wear it every single day. But that's what I love about this Japanese formula. It's light as air on my skin, but provides SPF 50+ coverage. It also doesn't pill under my makeup—another big plus." —BG
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Sunscreen |
| Best for | Dry skin, combo skin |
| Key ingredients | Chemical spf filters, hyaluronic acid |
Pros
- New applicator design helps prevent formula contamination
- Has a fast-absorbing, non-sticky, and non-greasy texture
Cons
- Best used in the morning, so if you're looking for a nighttime serum this isn't it
Why we love it: Packed with 16 percent ascorbic acid—one of the most potent and stable forms of vitamin C—this serum can help protect skin from free-radical damage (the stuff that leads to early signs of aging) and fade the look of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin texture, too.
Cosmo editor review: “I’m notoriously picky about vitamin C serums, but I’ve found love with this drugstore pick from Vichy because it brightens while also being super gentle and hydrating.” —BG
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Serum |
| Best for | Dull skin |
| Key ingredients | Ascorbic acid, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid |
Pros
- Takes the place of multiple steps in your routine
- Great for travel
Cons
- Contains fragrance
Why we love it: Instead of layering on a bunch of different serums, why not stick to one multitasker, like Olay's beloved Super Serum? The 5-in-1 formula hydrates, brightens, exfoliates, smooths, and tones with a cocktail of potent actives, yet somehow doesn't irritate skin or cause redness.
Cosmo editor review: "My skin freakin' loves this multi-purpose serum. It smoothes texture, hydrates, protects with antioxidants, and gently exfoliates to reduce acne—all in one single product. Truly, it makes my life so much easier to just use one thing versus a whole cabinet of serums." —BG
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Serum |
| Best for | All skin types |
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, AHAs, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides |
Pros
- Added hyaluronic acid helps temporarily plump skin and reduce any potentially drying side effects
Cons
- Despite having the word "rapid" in the name, you'll need to use this for at least six weeks before seeing any meaningful difference when it comes to wrinkles
Why we love it: Ask any beauty expert what the best anti-aging ingredient is, and I guarantee you they all say the same thing: retinol. It’s proven to smooth fine lines and uneven texture by jumpstarting collagen and elastin production (two proteins that keep skin firm and smooth) and increasing skin cell turnover with use.
Cosmo editor review: "When it comes to drugstore retinols, you can't go wrong with Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair line. The best-seller combines retinol with hyaluronic acid to help mitigate any drying effects so you're left with smooth, dewy skin." —LB
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Serum |
| Best for | Aging skin, dull skin |
| Key ingredients | Retinol, hyaluronic acid |
Pros
- Contains multiple types of hyaluronic acid to improve skin texture and lock in moisture
- Water-like texture is non-greasy and fast-absorbing
Cons
- Any line smoothing or plumping benefits are temporary
Why we love it: The hyaluronic acid in this lightweight serum works like a little moisture magnet to instantly hydrate, smooth, and plump dry and dehydrated skin.
Cosmo editor review: "This is probably one of the best hyaluronic acid serums I've ever used. The formula is straightforward and can be easily integrated into your existing skincare routine for extra hydrating benefits. A few drops on damp skin give skin a nice glow and instant plumping effect that I love." —LB
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Serum |
| Best for | All skin types |
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid |
Pros
- Available in a 10 percent benzoyl peroxide strength if your skin can tolerate it
- Ceramides and hyaluronic acid help offset any drying effects of benzoyl peroxide
Cons
- Benzoyl peroxide is known to bleach sheets/towels, so be mindful of your linens
Why we love it: So many acne face washes end up disrupting your skin barrier and, consequently, making breakouts and inflammation worse. This creamy pick from CeraVe kills bad bacteria with benzoyl peroxide while strengthening skin with ceramides and niacinamide.
Cosmo editor review: "Whenever I’m going through a breakout and my pimples are at their worst, I always wash my face with this benzoyl peroxide-filled cleanser. It's great for all types of acne, even red, angry cysts. And I even like using the stronger 10 percent version for combating body acne." —JH
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Cleanser |
| Best for | Acne-prone skin |
| Key ingredients | Benzoyl peroxide |
Pros
- Praised by derms as the best OTC acne medication you can get
- Unlike many retinoids, this caan be used in the morning or at night
Cons
- This stuff is strong, though, so use it sparingly until your skin builds up tolerance.
Why we love it: This over-the-counter acne treatment is honestly just as effective as the Rx options. It contains 0.1 percent adapalene, a type of retinoid that's proven to help clear up acne by increasing skin cell turnover and reducing excess sebum production and inflammation.
Cosmo editor review: "I've used Differin for years to help treat my hormonal breakouts. It's excellent at not only preventing clogged pores and pimples, but helping to fade the stubborn post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that lingers long after a zit has healed." —LB
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Serum |
| Best for | Acne-prone skin |
| Key ingredient | Adapalene |
Pros
- Excellent at treating early breakouts
- Ultra thin and sticky so they look subtle and stay put on skin
Cons
- You only get 8 patches in a pack
Why we love it: A must in any acne routine, these pimple patches serve multiple purposes. 1.) they cover up breakouts so you're less likely to pick 'em (out of sight, out of mind), 2.) they help shrink zits before they turn into massive breakouts with salicylic acid-spiked microdarts, and 3.) they speed up healing time and reduce inflammation.
Cosmo editor review: "Most micropoint pimple patches are for dark spots, and while I like those too, I almost always want a pimple patch for an existing breakout. Another gripe I have with pimple patches is how they rarely actually treat the zit itself. Just hide it away and keep it from getting more inflamed. But these are truly the answer to both conundrums. The lil micropoints help get salicylic acid right into my zit to exfoliate and help clear it up, reducing how inflamed and big the bump looks by the morning." —BG
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Pimple patch |
| Best for | Acne-prone skin |
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, and willow bark |
Pros
- Silky texture feels nice on skin and layers well with makeup too
- Oil-free, vegan, and cruelty-free
Cons
- Likely won't be effective on severe acne or cystic breakouts
Why we love it: An active-packed daily moisturizer for acne-prone skin types, Star Cream uses salicylic acid to unclog pores and prevent breakouts, niacinamide to soothe inflammation, and hyaluronic acid to provide light hydration.
Cosmo editor review: "I used up an entire tube of this and quickly needed to pull out a backup. It's the perfect gel texture for someone with oily or acne-prone skin. It sinks in quickly but still leaves my skin feeling moisturized. And the touch of salicylic acid in the formula helps treat my breakouts." —BG
Features at a Glance
| Product type | Moisturizer |
| Best for | Oily skin, acne-prone skin |
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid |
Why Trust Cosmopolitan?
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan with more than 12 years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories that range from the best skincare routine for your 30s to a comprehensive explainer on mandelic acid. She regularly tests and analyzes new skincare products while working with the industry’s top experts to assess new brands, trends, and technologies.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
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