The Best Drugstore & Affordable Skin Care Products of 2023

This face mist is the perfect midday pick-me-up! I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my complexion after using this. Not only does it help balance my acne-prone skin, it also locks in moisture to keep my skin feeling hydrated, soft, and supple throughout the day. Plus, the packaging is sleek and portable, making it easy to carry in my bag for a quick spritz whenever I need it. —Amanda Cuttitta, associate manager, creative strategy, health

After struggling with pesky adult acne caused by hormones and stress, I found my saving grace in this K-beauty serum. Made with the maximum concentration of soothing, skin-balancing niacinamide (15%), anti-inflammatory zinc PCA, and collagen-boosting allantoin, it’s basically your solution to breakouts in a bottle. After one month of use, I saw such a noticeable difference: far fewer breakouts and much more even skin. —Allie Folino, art director

As the name implies, this serum is just like a daily green juice for my skin. It’s made with antioxidant-rich ingredients like carrot, kale, lemon and apple extracts, mushroom complex, green tea oil, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide—all blended together to help you get hydrated, bouncy, glowing skin. My ideal serum is a formula that keeps my skin looking and feeling fresh, and this does exactly what I need. The antioxidants also make it the perfect complement to my daily sunscreen, and I love that it doesn’t feel heavy. Plus, it layers well under makeup. —Lisa DeSantis, contributor

After a long day of commuting to the office, I can’t wait to get home, cleanse, and put on my most restorative skin care. This serum is the star of my end-of-day routine. It glides on smoothly, and the blend of peptides, vitamins B₃ and B₆, and botanical extracts instantly goes to work to minimize fine lines, hydrate, soothe, and target dullness. If you want to wake up refreshed and glowing, you need this. —Carrie Clayton, executive director, content production, branded entertainment

Any lotion that’s too heavy or fragranced can wreak havoc on my skin, which is why CeraVe’s lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizer has become my go-to formula before bed. The refreshing gel instantly absorbs into my skin, leaving me dewy—with absolutely no greasy residue. Where thicker creams have left me with overnight breakouts, my skin couldn’t be happier with this one. It’s almost like wearing nothing at all, except I get all the nourishing, soothing benefits of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. —Jake Smith, commerce writer

My night routine is incomplete without this soothing oil. The formula keeps my face hydrated throughout the night, so I wake up with the loveliest glow. I apply the blend of organic prickly pear oil, camellia oil, red raspberry oil, and vitamin E twice daily: once at night and once in the morning after cleansing. If my skin ever appears dull or dehydrated, this face oil instantly brings me back to life. —Andrea Lewis, assistant to the global editorial director

I have very oily and acne-prone skin that’s also very sensitive, making effective—yet nonirritating—clarifying toners hard to find. At least, that was the case until I found this liquid exfoliant. Formulated with a 10% blend of AHA, PHA, and BHA, it exfoliates and promotes cellular turnover, combatting uneven pigmentation, inflamed skin, visible pores, and dark spots—all without drying me out, increasing redness, or feeling heavy on my skin. —Danielle Sinay, associate beauty editor

I can’t quite put my finger on what makes this scrub so addicting—maybe it’s the nostalgic, cupcake-like scent—but once you use it on your legs, you’ll want to use it on the rest of your body too. The sugar-infused formula lathers into a creamy, cloudlike foam that gently exfoliates, softens hair, and minimizes ingrowns. Use it before shaving or on its own for daily exfoliation. I love that it leaves my skin soft, nourished, and prepped for shaving (or, you know, not shaving). —Lindy Segal, interim deputy editor

I love a good, thick night cream but don’t love the way some can feel too heavy or smell overly fragranced. This cream checks all of my boxes. The plush texture feels so luxurious to apply and isn’t greasy, so it’s comfortable to sleep in. The peptides-infused formula works on fine lines and wrinkles to help skin look smoother and feel firmer. I’ve been waking up to noticeably more moisturized, soft, smooth skin. It’s easily replaced some of my pricier moisturizers, and I love that I can buy it at my local drugstore. —Morgan Wrapp, creative director

I’ve tried numerous eye creams over the years, and this one really impressed me. The soothing formula is lightweight, easy to apply, and visibly reduces my tired undereye circles. Within a week of using it daily, the shadows under my eyes looked significantly reduced. It’s leaps and bounds ahead of its competitors. —Natasha Pearlman, executive editor

Retinol products are usually very drying, but Derma E’s formula doesn’t irritate my skin. It’s a nice, thick serum, which absorbs immediately without making my face feel dry and itchy. The trick is to never go overboard—the 0.5% encapsulated retinol bakuchiol is very potent, so three to four drops goes a long way. —Ariana Yaptangco, senior beauty editor

I’m very thankful to have found this little bottle of magic ahead of winter, when cold, dry air always wreaks havoc on my redness-prone skin. This spot-fading serum combines alpha arbutin with chlorophyll, licorice root, and panthenol to combat redness, discoloration, dark marks, and UV damage. The thick texture sinks in quickly, instantly making any redness look much less noticeable. Over time it also helps skin look more even, but I was sold after just one application. It’s now a staple in my nighttime skin-care routine. —A.F.

I have combination skin and struggle as the seasons change; winter weather always makes my skin dry and irritated. This calming face mask gives my skin the boost it needs, immediately soothing the redness I get around my nose, making any uneven texture feel smoother, and leaving my skin supersoft. It’s low lift for big moisture. —Channing Smith, junior designer

The name says it all: hero. As a busy mom on the go, I seek out products that do it all—and this sunscreen does exactly that. The mineral-based formula has just a hint of flattering glow from light-diffusing pearl and apricot pigments, making it the perfect start to my day. I smooth it right onto my skin with my fingertips for weightless coverage. It also layers beautifully under my foundation. —Kerri Ogrudek, global director, creative strategy, fashion/luxury

With this sunscreen, it’s literally impossible to not fall prey to the ultimate life don’t—judging books by their covers—because the campy packaging is just too appealing. Inspired by a literal can of whipped cream, Vacation Classic Whip is a lightweight mousse that sinks into my skin, leaving behind no white cast. And it’s not just a gimmick: Thanks to a mix of ingredients that include coconut oil, aloe, and banana extract, it’s extra hydrating. Plus, it provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection, is water-resistant, reef-safe, and—because no kid on earth could possibly resist—pediatrician tested. —Perrie Samotin, digital director

When I get a pimple, things can turn destructive real quick. I can’t help but poke and prod and apply way too many drying agents, which leads to even more irritation. This acne treatment actually brings down swelling and redness, which keeps me from overapplying. Even if I do go a little overboard, it’s nonirritating and nondrying due to the aloe-infused serum. —A.Y.

I would wear these happy little clouds on my face even if they didn’t help heal breakouts. The fact that they genuinely soothe and deflate my nastiest acne blowups with self-dissolving microdarts is the best bonus. —Anastasia Sanger, senior manager, social video development

I’ve probably tried every “fancy” body lotion on the market, but I always come back to Vaseline—and the way my skin loves this lotion is the perfect demonstration of why. Formulated for super-sensitive skin with soothing, protecting ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and hydrating lipids, it leaves my skin in its happiest, smoothest, calmest, most moisturized state. Another bonus? Despite how hydrating it is, it still feels super lightweight and absorbs immediately, so I can go right to bed post-application without feeling sticky or greasy. —D.S.

I instantly fell in love with the delicious cherry and chia-milk scent of this body wash, the perfect blend for someone who enjoys a subtle scent. It’s infused with plant-based moisturizers to nourish, hydrate, and soften skin. The best part? My eczema-prone skin actually enjoyed the gentle lather, which kept my skin moisturized and didn’t spark any flare-ups. Who knew I'd find my body wash soulmate at the drugstore? —Asiah James, director, emerging audiences

This self-tanner is my necessity in the winter—or really anytime I need an extra boost of color. The lightweight formula is easy to apply and blend, and doesn’t leave any sticky residue behind, so I can change right back into my clothes or go to bed without worrying about tan transfer. It also smells so yummy: like mango and guava, instead of that dreaded self-tan scent. I also love the color: perfectly bronzey, never orange. —Sarina Moore, global associate, brand marketing

There are so many reasons why this hand cream stands out: the soft vanilla scent that’s sweet but not cloying, the fact that it’s loaded with moisture-rich vitamin E and shea butter, and the way it leaves your hands feeling smooth, not greasy. But my favorite part is the under-$15 price tag, which means I can easily afford to keep one in every bag. —Anna Moeslein, deputy editor

When it comes to deodorant, I always want a formula that’s going to be gentle on one of my most sensitive areas of skin. This aluminum-free stick does the trick and also manages to build in wetness protection, a rare feature in natural deodorants. I’m sensitive to scent but love the way this smells pleasantly of sandalwood and vanilla without being overpowering. It glides on smoothly, doesn’t leave any residue behind, and offers protection that really does last all day. —Meghna Mathur, executive director, CNCC production & activation

I was pleasantly surprised by this hand wash, which kept my hands moisturized even with constant rinsing. It’s infused with aloe vera and olive oil to keep skin from drying out, and the blend of essential oils smells so good. This one smells clean and delightful, like delicate orange blossoms and green bamboo. I look forward to using it every time. —M.W.

I usually steer clear of any candy-colored, ultrafruity shower products, because as much as I love smelling like strawberry sorbet, they tend to irritate my skin. So I’m delighted to report that while this shave butter smells good enough to eat, it never causes irritation or dryness. Instead, it fights bumps and leaves my skin in its smoothest, softest state. The cream formula is also so easier to apply than messy foams, and I’ve never smelled better. —C.S.

This rose quartz always makes me feel like I’m pampering myself. The crystal stays colder if it’s refrigerated, so I keep mine in the fridge for an extra-refreshing application in the morning. After applying my serums and moisturizers, I roll it all over my face using firm, even pressure. Don’t rush through it: A full five minutes will give you the depuffing, circulation-boosting benefits of lymphatic drainage. The first time I used this, I was surprised by how firm my face felt when I was done, but more than that, my skin looked fresh and energized—activated, even. —Talley Sue Hohlfeld, copy director