As shopping editors, we get to test hundreds of dollars' worth of beauty products [1], and honestly, we do enjoy being the first ones to try out new formulas. But there's always a special place in our hearts (and daily skin-care routines [2]) for trusty drugstore favorites. There's just something so satisfying about snagging affordable products that prove you don't have to drop big bucks to look and feel absolutely fabulous.
Whether it's a cult classic a friend swore by or a spontaneous impulse buy that quickly became a holy grail, these wallet-friendly finds never disappoint. Ready to refresh your routine with some of the best drugstore beauty products [3] out there? Keep scrolling for our editors' top picks, from bold eyeliners [4] to nourishing body washes [5] — all found right at CVS.
Best Beeswax Lip Balm
Burt's Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Balm [6] ($4)
If you're familiar with only one product from this brand, it's likely the iconic beeswax lip balm, created back in 1991. In addition to beeswax, there's also moisturizing vitamin E and a touch of peppermint oil for a wintry tingle inside every tube.
Best Drugstore Deodorant
Degree 48-Hour Antiperspirant & Deodorant Stick [7] ($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 Shampoo
OGX Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo [8] ($7, originally $11)
The OGX Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo 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 Lip Treatment
Aquaphor Lip Repair [9] ($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 Anti-Frizz Serum
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum [10] ($8)
Because frizz occurs more often than we'd like, the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum is a top pick for keeping your hair smooth and frizz-free. This non-greasy formula contains powerful ingredients that help smooth, tame frizz, and provide shine. It's effective on damp or dry hair and the perfect finishing touch if you're after a sleek bun look. What's more, a little goes a long way, so the product will surely last you for months.
Best Razor
Skintimate Sensitive Skin 4-Blade Disposable Razors, 4 CT [11] ($9)
You can never have enough razors in your arsenal, and this pack of four-blade disposable razors is great for travel. Each cartridge has a skin-conditioning strip that helps deliver a smooth glide, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
Best Brow Gel
NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue [12] ($10)
Faking the look of laminated brows is easy with NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue. Simply brush the hair in your brows up with the tiny built-in spoolie, then comb them down. It'll lock in your desired look without making your brows feel stiff or leaving behind any white residue as some brow gels do. Read our editor's NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue review [13] 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." — Renee Rodriguez, beauty staff writer and social producer
Best Body Wash
Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash [14] ($10)
We'll put it plainly: the Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash is just really, really good. The simple formula gently cleanses skin while simultaneously providing it with lots of moisture. After you get out of the shower, you'll instantly notice how silky-smooth your skin feels.
Best Drugstore Brow Pencil
NYX Professional Makeup Microbrow Pencil [15] ($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 Hair Serum
John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Hair Serum [16] ($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 [17] ($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 12 wearable shades. You'll also find that it has a slight tingling effect to give your mouth a pouty look.
Best Dry Skin Face Cream
Pond's Dry Skin Face Cream [18] ($12)
We've all experienced dry skin at some point, and this Pond's Dry Skin Face Cream never fails to deliver rich hydration. It absorbs easily, doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy, is suitable for dry and sensitive skin types alike, and is equally effective both day and night.
Best Oil Cleanser
Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil [19] ($12)
Take the day off gently with the Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil. This sensitive skin-friendly first cleanse breaks down tough makeup, sunscreen, and more without being too rough on the skin. You can follow it up with a second cleanse for fresh, clean skin that doesn't feel stripped.
Best Daily Face Wash
CeraVe Daily Face Wash [20] ($17)
Another dry skin hero is this top-rated face wash, which is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and cleanses with a unique formula. It's potent enough to remove makeup, dirt, and oil, yet gentle enough to not strip the skin barrier or leave it feeling tight. It contains hydrating heroes, such as hyaluronic acid, and three essential ceramides that work to leave the skin feeling fresh and clean.
Best Liquid Lip Color
Maybelline SuperStay Vinyl Ink No-Budge Longwear Liquid Lip Color [21] ($13)
The ultimate confidence booster for me is bold lip color, and this one in Wicked does the perfect job of making me feel like I can take on anything — even if it's just responding to 100 emails (hey, that's an accomplishment in my book). I don't always have the time to keep reapplying lipstick, and this shiny vinyl color allows me to commit to one gorgeous hue for the day and forget about it for the next eight hours or so. It glides on smoothly and won't smudge or transfer, even while sipping water (and one too many coffees).
Best Setting Spray
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Setting Spray [22] ($14)
L'Oréal Paris's Infallible Setting Spray promises a 36-hour, long-lasting makeup wear that delivers a natural look that's skin-like and hydrated. The microfine mist feels lightweight and breathable on the skin and dries down in seconds.
Best Long-Lasting Nail Polish
essie Gel Couture Nail Polish [23] ($14)
This pretty pink nail polish is perfect for everyday wear. It gives salon-quality gel results without the need for a base coat and UV lamp. If at-home manicures are your thing, or you want to go easy on your nails, this color is sure to up your nail game. And best of all, it removes like regular polish.
Best Toner
Thayers Witch Hazel Rose Alcohol-Free Toner [24] ($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 it's the reusable kind) and swipe over your skin, or simply spray it onto your face after cleansing and before your serums.
Best Dry Shampoo
Batiste Dry Shampoo [25] ($15)
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 Deodorant
Secret Whole Body Deodorant Spray, Lilac & Waterlily [26] ($16)
Stay fresh throughout the day with the Secret Whole Body Deodorant Spray. It can be used as a traditional deodorant under your arms, as well as the underboob area, feet, and more. It delivers odor protection where you need it most and promises 72-hour freshness.
Detangling Brush
Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangling Brush [27] ($17)
This gentle detangling brush makes gnarly knots and tricky tangles a thing of the past. Equipped with 325 flexible teeth and patented two-tiered teeth technology, this brush quickly and gently detangles hair so you can style your strands in peace.
Best Retinol
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment [28] ($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 Differin Acne Treatment review [29] 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, beauty section lead
Best Anti-Breakage Shampoo
Nexxus Unbreakable Care Anti-Breakage Shampoo [30] ($19)
Most suitable for fine and thin hair types, Nexxus Unbreakable Care Anti-Breakage Shampoo helps strengthen hair from within for more volume and less breakage. It helps provide fuller, thicker-looking hair with a unique formula powered by keratin, biotin, and collagen amino acids. Together, these ingredients create a luxurious wash routine, resulting in lightweight volume and a major confidence boost.
Best Hair Growth Foam
Rogaine Men's 5% Minoxidil Foam for Hair Regrowth [31] ($37)
Dealing with hair loss? Stock up on Rogaine Men's 5% Minoxidil Foam while it's on sale. It contains five percent minoxidil, which helps increase hair growth in 12 weeks when applied consistently. Apply it twice a day and massage it into the scalp.
Balim Tezel [32] (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.