41 Best Drugstore Beauty Products
41 Editor-Loved Drugstore Beauty Products
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Even as beauty editors, no matter how many fancy new lipsticks we add to our collection and luxury serums we test, at the end of the day, there will always be a special place in our hearts for our tried-and-true drugstore beauty products. Sure, the world of prestige beauty is exploding with options, but there's something so satisfying about discovering an affordable skin-care or makeup find that is so perfect, it feels like it was plucked straight from your dreams.
Whether it's a cult-favorite treasure that was recommended to us by a friend or a budget-friendly impulse buy-turned-beloved go-to, we can't take a trip to our local Target, Walgreens, or CVS without grabbing at least one — actually, make it two — refills. From mascaras for lashes a mile long to moisturizers that keep dry patches at bay and shampoo and conditioner duos that really pack the shine, the aisles of the drugstore are bursting with possibilities.
There are so many affordable brands out there that deliver high-quality cosmetics without draining your wallet. Don't get us wrong, we love a good treat-yourself moment as much as the next person but for everyday staples, there's no need to shell out a ton of cash if you'd prefer not to. If you need further proof of the magic of drugstore beauty products, just look at all of these celebrity favorites — you'll be overwhelmed with options.
Keep scrolling to see the best drugstore beauty products of all time per our editors' recommendations, including an array of foundations, hair masks, eyeliners, cleansers, and more.
Update on June 23, 2025 at 1:45 PM ET: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Best Drugstore Rich Cream
Nivea Creme Body, Face and Hand Moisturizing Cream ($1)
This multi-use thick, moisturizing cream can be used all over — your hands, face, and body. A little bit goes a very long way in treating dry, rough skin and protecting against cracks and irritation. We love how travel-friendly it is.
Best Drugstore Bronzer
Rimmel Natural Bronzer ($4, originally $5)
As far as drugstore bronzers go, this one by Rimmel London is amazing. It gives your skin a sun-kissed glow without leaving behind harsh lines or streaks. It'll have you looking like you just spent the day beachside — without the sun damage, that is.
Best Drugstore Liquid Eyeliner
Wet N Wild Megaliner Liquid Eyeliner ($4)
Create the sharpest cat eye of your life with the Wet N Wild Megaliner Liquid Eyeliner. The liquid liner has a tapered, fine tip that allows you to draw on a wing with expert precision. The pigment dries quickly, keeping it from smudging and lasts all day long without fading. Read our editor's review of the Wet N Wild Megaliner Liquid Eyeliner for more.
Editor Quote: "The applicator, a flexible spongy brush, is easy to maneuver as I glide it across my skin. The harder you press, the thicker the line becomes, so you have a lot of control over the intensity of your look. The formula itself is smooth and matte. Its raven-black shade makes my blue eyes pop. All it takes is one coat to get a pleasing obsidian-dark effect." — Macy Cate Williams, former content director, Shopping
Best Drugstore Dry Shampoo
Batiste Dry Shampoo ($5)
To preserve your blowout, rescue your hair after a sweaty workout, or just give your style a quick refresh, you need a bottle of Batiste's Dry Shampoo. It targets grease, oil, and dirt at your roots to leave hair feeling and looking clean. The original scent smells of citrus, rose, and musk.
Best Drugstore Hand Lotion
Vaseline Radiant X Deep Nourishment Hand Butter ($5, originally $6)
If you're a fan of hand creams but don't like the greasy feel that they can sometimes leave behind, this one from Vaseline is for you. It deeply nourishes with ingredients like glycerin and shea butter, but there is no sticky film left on your hands when you're done applying it.
Best Drugstore Deodorant
Degree 48-Hour Antiperspirant & Deodorant Stick ($6)
This antiperspirant is designed to adapt to what your body needs and provide the necessary protection against sweat from stress, heat, and movement. It's dermatologist tested and also shouldn't leave those pesky white marks on your clothes that we all hate.
Best Drugstore Deep Conditioning Treatment
Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Hair Masque ($7)
This deep conditioner works on a wide range of curl types and is super affordable. It's packed with rich ingredients like coconut, avocado, sweet almond, jojoba, olive, argan, neem, carrot, macadamia, and mango, plus honeysuckle, aloe leaf juice, nettle, and silk amino acids. It nourishes curls, providing deep hydration.
Best Drugstore Lip Treatment
Aquaphor Lip Repair ($7)
The Aquaphor Lip Repair is a lifesaver for dry, cracked lips, year-round. The formula coats lips in hydration without leaving behind any sticky, tacky feeling. It's also fragrance free and contains shea butter.
Best Drugstore Heat Protectant
Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave-In Spray ($8)
Keep your hair protected from heat damage when curling, blowdrying, and flat ironing with this spray. It helps your hot tools glide over hair and smooths frizz, adding shine in the process. It works on heat up to 450 degrees.
Best Drugstore Concealer
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer ($9, originally $11)
This undereye concealer is a cult classic. The sponge applicator makes it instantly recognizable, and the formula never disappoints. If you have bags under your eyes, this is your answer. It lasts all day and has excellent coverage. It comes in 16 shades. Read our editor's review of the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer for more.
Editor Quote: "The superconcentrated formula is infused with goji berry to brighten and illuminate the under-eye area while it covers up your dark circles. The soft, spongy applicator allows the formula to glide on smoothly; the product is evenly distributed across your skin. After a couple swipes, I simply tap the concealer with my finger until it's fully blended. You would never know I have rings under my eyes because they vanish instantly." — MCW
Best Drugstore Texturizing Spray
Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray ($9)
To add some grit and beachy texture to your hairstyle, reach for the Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray. It contains sea salt and dead sea kelp to add piece separation and a matte finish to your ends. It also boasts UV protection and has a light, tropical vanilla coconut scent.
Best Drugstore Body Wash
Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash for Dry Skin ($10)
We'll put it plainly: the Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash for Dry Skin is just really, really good. The simple formula gently cleanses skin while simultaneously providing it with deep moisture. After you get out of the shower you'll instantly notice how silky smooth your skin feels.
Best Drugstore Hair Treatment
L'Oréal Paris Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water Lamellar ($10, originally $12)
This hair treatment is truly magical. The rinse-out hair treatment works in just eight seconds to make hair shinier and silkier. It contains lamellar water technology that treats damage and seals your ends. Read our explainer on the technology for more information.
Best Drugstore Primer
E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer ($10)
This primer is an editor favorite and has gone viral on TikTok countless times. The formula gives you poreless, matte skin, allowing your products to go on smoothly. It'll help your makeup stay put for hours (and hours, and hours). It also comes in a luminous option if that's more your style.
Best Drugstore Brow Gel
NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue ($10)
Faking the look of laminated brows is easy with the NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue. Simply brush the hair in your brows up with the tiny build-in spoolie then comb them down. It'll lock in your desired look without making them feel stiff or leaving behind any white residue as some brow gels do. Read our editor's review of the NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue for more.
Editor Quote: "The first time I tried it, I knew within five seconds that I was going to like it. The product comes out a little "tacky" and not watery, which made it easy to shape my brows and lift them into the perfect position. With other gels, I find they're typically more on the watery side, meaning I have to apply and then wait for them to get tacky before shaping. The NYX Brow Glue eliminates that extra step, which is great for anyone looking to shave off a few extra minutes of their beauty routine." — Rene Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer, Beauty
Best Drugstore Shampoo and Conditioner
OGX Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo ($11) and OGX Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Conditioner ($17)
The OGX Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo and Conditioner will make your hair sleek and strong. Wheat protein in the formula helps to make your ends appear thicker and fuller, while vitamin B7, biotin, and collagen help to maintain and improve hair health.
Best Drugstore Brow Pencil
NYX Professional Makeup Microbrow Pencil ($11)
Sparse brows will be a thing of the past once you get your hands on the NYX Professional Makeup Microbrow Pencil. It allows you to shape and define your eyebrows with the ultrafine tip and brush hair into place with the spoolie on the other end. It comes in a variety of colors so you can find your perfect match.
Best Drugstore Powder
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Face Powder ($11)
A good setting powder is a must — especially in the heat, on a long day, or if you're wearing a mask. This pressed powder gives your makeup a matte, poreless finish, almost as if you're walking around with a filter on your face 24/7.
Best Drugstore Hair Serum
John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Hair Serum ($12)
John Frieda Hair Care updated the formula of its iconic hair serum to make it suitable for wet and dry hair. Now, you can tame frizz before and after styling. The product also provides protection against heat damage and repels humidity to ensure your ends stay smooth and silky.
Best Drugstore Lip Gloss
Covergirl Clean Fresh Yummy Lip Gloss ($12)
Not only does this lip gloss taste like candy but it coats your lips in a glass-like shine that almost makes them look wet. It's not the least bit sticky and comes in 14 wearable shades. You'll also find that it has a slight tingling effect to give your mouth a pouty look.
Best Drugstore Volumizing Mascara
CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara ($13)
Dramatic eyes are easy to create with this volumizing mascara. The brush holds lots of formula, so your lashes get well-covered with its pigment. We like the Very Black shade because the inky hue makes any eye color pop. You'll look like you're wearing falsies after a few swipes of this mascara.
Best Drugstore Plumping Gloss
NYX Makeup Duck Plump Plumping Lip Gloss ($13)
Plumping lip products are all the rage this year, but one of our editor favorites went viral on TikTok — and for good reason. This vegan formula comes in 11 different shades and each color has a high pigment payoff. You can wear it in place of your favorite lipstick or on top of it — whichever you prefer.
Best Drugstore Self-Tanner
Jergens Natural Glow +Firming Self Tanner ($13)
The Jergens Natural Glow Firming Self Tanner is a great beginner self-tanner. It gives you natural-looking color while coating your skin in long-lasting moisture. This formula is also designed to help firm the skin and camouflage cellulite. You can apply this straight out of the shower on dry skin for a nice glow.
Best Drugstore Micellar Water
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Jelly Water ($13)
Every vanity needs a Garnier micellar water, but the All-in-1 Purifying Jelly Water was a PS Beauty Award winner for a reason — it does more than just remove stubborn mascara. Charcoal in the formula also helps absorb excess oil from the skin's surface. After a few swipes of this, your skin will feel clean but not tight or uncomfortable.
Best Drugstore Pencil Eyeliner
Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner Pencil ($14)
The drugstore is loaded with great eyeliner pencils, but the Revlon Colorstay Pencil is the best of the best. It's waterproof, smudgeproof, and longwearing, so you don't have to worry about getting raccoon eyes when wearing it. We love the fine tip for applying a sharp wing and that it comes with a built-in smudger on the other end for creating a smoky look.
Best Drugstore Toner
Thayers Witch Hazel Rose Alcohol-Free Toner ($14)
Thayers is known for its witch hazel toners, providing options for every skin type and concern. We love the rose petal formula for balancing the skin and ensuring all traces of makeup are gone. Apply some to a cotton pad (bonus points if they're the reusable kind) and swipe over your skin or simply spray it onto your face after cleansing and before your serums.
Best Drugstore Waterproof Mascara
L'Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara ($14)
Behold, the L'Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara, the holy grail of drugstore mascaras. It lengthens, it thickens, and it's waterproof, so you can wear it in the summer, to the pool, at a wedding — the possibilities are endless. The brush grabs each individual eyelash, coating it in product and lifting it up. Read our editor's review of the Lash Paradise mascara for more.
Editor Quote: "I was only able to apply one coat at a time because the product is so fast-drying, and I wanted to avoid clumps. But thanks to the full brush, a little does go a long way. The mascara fluid isn't sticky or messy, so applying it is a very neat process, which is super helpful when you're in a hurry." — Victor Verdugo, former associate social media editor
Best Drugstore Face Wipes
Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes ($15)
Makeup wipes can be hit or miss, but the Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes are top-notch. Designed to be suitable for even sensitive skin types, these wipes quickly remove makeup (even waterproof products) and leave your skin feeling clean and hydrated.
Best Drugstore Body Sunscreen
Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray ($16, originally $18)
There's a lot to love about the Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray, from the beachy scent to the SPF 50 UVA/UVB protection and the non-greasy feel. The spray bottle makes it easy to apply (and reapply throughout the day).
Best Drugstore Foundation
Essence Pretty Natural Hydrating Foundation ($17)
There's a lot to love about the Essence Pretty Natural Hydrating Foundation. It offers buildable coverage, feels weightless on the skin, and boasts hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. We love how natural looking it is.
Best Drugstore Face Sunscreen
Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($17)
Wearing sunscreen every day is important, but if you're having trouble finding a formula that you enjoy applying, we suggest grabbing a tube of the Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30. It provides SPF 30 UVA/UVB protection and contains hydrating ingredients like avocado and jojoba oil, which help it blend nicely. It was formulated with dark skin tones in mind, guaranteeing no white cast.
Best Drugstore Gentle Cleanser
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser ($17)
It doesn't matter what skin type you have — dry, normal, oily, or even sensitive — you'll love the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. It removes dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin while also restoring the skin's barrier and balancing oil production. Glycerin, vitamin B5, and niacinamide are a few of the stand-out ingredients in it.
Best Drugstore Blush
Pixi by Petra On-the-Glow Blush ($18)
This cream blush stick is super travel friendly and can easily be blended into your skin with your fingers. It's hydrating but not sticky and gives your cheeks a natural-looking wash of color. It comes in three beautiful shades. Read our editor's review of the Pixi by Petra On-the-Glow Blush for more.
Editor Quote: "What I really enjoy about the Pixi On-the-Glow Blush Stick is that you can wear it on top of makeup or on bare skin. It's also super buildable, so you can really create a blush-centric look if you add two to three layers or go for a subtle swipe of color if you stick to one application." — Valeriya Chupinina, contributing editor
Best Drugstore Exfoliating Cleanser
CeraVe Renewing SA Face Cleanser ($19)
CeraVe's hydrating cleanser gets a lot of praise, but we'd like to make a case for the Renewing SA Face Cleanser, too. The exfoliating formula contains salicylic acid to clear pores, removing excess oil and dirt from the surface of your skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide to brighten, and vitamin D for inflammation.
Best Drugstore Retinol
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment ($19)
Whether you're looking to fight early signs of aging, banish breakouts, fade dark spots, or boost the radiance of your complexion, this Differin Adapalene Gel will do the trick. The product is simple and straightforward, but it really works. Read our editor's review of the Differin Acne Treatment for more.
Editor Quote: "The Differin Adapalene Gel is very different from the prescription topical I was given. It's much gentler, for starters. While I still went through an adjustment period as my skin got used to the powerful vitamin A derivative — which usually causes some purging, dryness, flakiness, or slight redness — it was much more tolerable for me. The gel texture is very lightweight, and a little bit (about a pea size) is easily blended onto my entire face." — Jessica Harrington, Senior Editor, Beauty
Best Drugstore Hyaluronic Acid Serum
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($22, originally $36)
You don't need to spend upward of $100 to get a good hyaluronic acid serum. This option from L'Oréal feels luxe, but it won't break the bank. A little bit of this thick, bouncy serum goes a long way in hydrating and plumping your skin. Read our editor's review of the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum for more.
Editor Quote: "Now, I'm not about to tell you that this serum's better than Botox. It's not; my lines are still there, but they are definitely less noticeable than before I started using the serum morning and night. I noticed a difference within a week, which was surprising." — Amy Lawrenson, contributing editor
Best Drugstore Hairspray
SexyHair Big Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray ($23)
Styling your hair takes time — lock the look in to ensure it lasts all day long with the SexyHair Big Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray. It provides workable, medium to high hold (depending on how much you apply) for 120 hours. It's great for all hair types and helps add volume.
Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serum
Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Brightening Serum ($25)
Vitamin C is a morning skin-care routine staple. For your daily, try the Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Brightening Serum. It contains clinical-grade vitamin C and peptides to brighten skin tone and boost elasticity.
Best Drugstore Moisturizer
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Moisturizer ($26)
This oil-free and fast-absorbing gel-cream moisturizer works on all skin types. The star ingredient in the formula is hyaluronic acid, which coats your skin in long-lasting hydration. Using this will help nourish your skin's barrier and banish dry patches. We love how lightweight and refreshing it feels.
Best Drugstore Leave-In Treatment
It's a 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In ($30, originally $40)
The It's a 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In does it all — hydrates dry ends, detangles, smooths frizz, adds shine, and protects against heat damage and color fading. It's formulated with green tea leaf extract and silk amino acids to nourish and repair damaged hair. Apply it to damp ends out of the shower and before styling.
Best Drugstore Eye Cream
Olay Ultimate Eye Cream for Dark Circles ($39)
The all-in-one product addresses dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles. It's also fragrance-free and has a touch of pigment to it to help further disguise discoloration around the eyes.
- Additional reporting by Balim Tezel
Jessica Harrington (she/her) is the senior editor of PS Beauty, where she oversees coverage around makeup, skin care, hair, tattoos, and more. With more than eight years of industry experience, she has interviewed countless celebrities, reported on hundreds of beauty trends, and swatched more lipsticks than she can count. Prior to PS, Jessica worked for publications such as Makeup.com, Skincare.com, and The Zoe Report.
Balim Tezel (she/her) is a shopping updates editor at PS and the founder of Maison des Nus, a New York-based affordable luxury brand. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
