Drugstore skin care brands for radiant skin

We’re going to let you in on a little secret: Your skin care doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are more skin care products on the shelves at drugstores than ever before. And they can help you achieve a glowing, healthier-looking complexion without emptying your bank account.

“I tell my patients that just because a product has a high price tag doesn’t mean it’s better, and just because a product is from a drugstore doesn’t mean it’s less effective,” says Fatima Fahs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dermy Doc Box, a skin care subscription service.¹

The point being that there are plenty of top-notch skin care products to be found at your local drugstore. Many of which are very similar to their pricier counterparts trending on TikTok.

Let’s take a look at some great skin care brands and products plus ways to work them into your routine for a clean, clear, dazzling new look.

In this article:

• Drugstore skin care brands
• Skin care ingredients for radiant skin
• Skin care routine for radiant skin on a budget
• Tips for finding great drugstore skin care products

Drugstore skin care brands

A great place to start is with the brands themselves. When you can identify a brand that carries a wide range of skin care options to choose from, it’s easy to fall in love. Add a lower-than-high-end price tag, and you may just tie the knot.

Here are several brands to consider:

• CeraVe. Skin care expert Merry Thornton,² PA-C, a physician assistant, counts this among her favorite drugstore skin care brands. “They’re a science-backed company that uses quality ingredients in their products, which are well tolerated by most people,” she explains.³ Dr. Fahs is also a fan: “Most of their products include ceramides, which help add hydration to the skin.”⁴
  
  CeraVe has moisturizers that can be a good alternative to other pricier moisturizers trending on TikTok⁵ (like the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream). Many of which also rely on ceramides.
  
  
• Neutrogena. Dr. Fahs likes that many of their products rely on tried-and-true active ingredients. She particularly likes the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Regenerating Cream.
  
  
• Vanicream. If you have sensitive skin, consider checking out this brand. The products are gentle and free of dye, fragrance lanolin and parabens, making them a particularly good choice for those with sensitive skin,⁶ explains Thornton. She adds that the Vanicream Gentle Cleanser is a real standout.

Skin care ingredients for radiant skin

There are a handful of skin care ingredients that have been lauded again and again for boosting glow and improving overall appearance. The good news? They can be found in drugstore products.

Here are a few to seek out:

• Alpha hydroxy acids. Glycolic and lactic acid fall into this category of chemical exfoliants. They’re great for enhancing skin radiance because they help exfoliate the top layer of skin to reveal brighter skin underneath.¹⁰
  
  
• Niacinamide. Not only is this an antioxidant, which is good for brightening the skin in general, but it can also help calm inflammation and redness.⁷ On top of that, it helps moisturize.⁸
  
  
• Retinol. One of the most talked about ingredients, retinol helps with skin cell turnover to combat wrinkles and promote a more even texture and tone.¹¹
  
  
• Vitamin C. “This is one of the most popular ingredients for brightening the skin,” says Dr. Fahs. It decreases the production of melanin (or pigment) in the skin, helping to fade and minimize dark spots.⁹
  
  

Dr. Fahs adds that retinol is one of the best ingredients to seek out on your quest for an elevated complexion. Retinol products, including topical agents, should be avoided in women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or who may become pregnant. Speak to your health care provider before starting.

Skin care routine for radiant skin

When you’re ready to build out your skin care routine, you don’t need to purchase dozens of products for every little thing you’re hoping to address — emptying your bank account in the process. You can create an effective regime with just a few drugstore products that can help target multiple issues at once for healthier-looking, glowing skin.

Ready to get started? Follow this step-by-step guide.

In the morning

1. Use an exfoliating cleanser. Begin by reaching for a face wash that contains an alpha hydroxy acid to help brighten and wake up your skin.
2. Apply a vitamin C serum. The namesake ingredient can help brighten skin.
3. Remember to moisturize. Dry skin typically looks dull and more lackluster. So even something as simple as a hydrating moisturizer can help boost your glow. Try finding a product with hyaluronic acid. It’s a hydrating ingredient that attracts water and traps it in the skin, making it appear plumper and dewier.¹²
4. Finish with sunscreen. Sun protection is paramount for avoiding sun damage that can cause dark spots, dullness and wrinkles.¹³ Safeguard your skin with a product that has a sun protection factor (SPF). Dr. Fahs often recommends tinted options, which offer that oh-so-important protection plus coverage.¹⁴

At night

1. Cleanse thoroughly. Wash off the day’s makeup, sunscreen and other gunk and grime with a gentle yet effective cleanser.
2. Reach for retinol. Bedtime is the time to apply retinol. It works best when your body is naturally resting and in repair mode,¹⁵ Thornton explains. Speak to your health care provider before adding retinol to your regimen.
3. Finish with moisturizer. Apply a simple, unscented moisturizer to help seal in moisture while you snooze.

Tips for finding great drugstore skin care products

There are a few other ways to find drugstore skin care products that work for you.

• Consider trial-size products. This is a good way to save some money. You can also make sure you like a product and that it works well for your skin before committing to the full size.
  
• Scroll social. Sure, there are plenty of pricier products that are social media faves, but there are also tons of accounts dedicated to finding less expensive (though equally effective) alternatives.¹⁶
• Ask your friends. Sometimes just asking around to see what products your friends are using is a great way to find new and affordable options.