Welcome to Drugstore Heroes, a monthly series in which we spotlight the often-overlooked and under-hyped drugstore beauty products that industry experts count on. From editors to content creators and even celebs, we’re asking tastemakers to share their top recommendations for affordable yet effective products. Get ready to see the best of drugstore beauty, period.
I've been in the beauty industry for close to a decade. Along the way, I've been lucky enough to interview countless aestheticians and dermatologists. Through these interactions, I've picked up simple tips and tricks that have dramatically improved my skin. I know which ingredients to use for my specific skin concerns (for example, rose-hip oil for inflammation and hypochlorous acid for breakouts). I know which skincare products are critical (cleanser, moisturizer, SPF, and retinol!) and which ones, well, aren't. (I'm looking at you, pore strips.) I also know that simple, yet effective skincare products can be found at the drugstore.
A lot of my most treasured tips and tricks come from the same skin expert. Let me introduce you to Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology in Toronto, Canada. I know she's a firm believer in the power of drugstore products and frequently recommends them to patients in need of affordable yet efficient skincare routines, but I wanted to know which ones she loves the most. So I asked, and she delivered. Ahead, she shares her five favorite drugstore skincare products, from a gentle exfoliating cleanser to an underrated sunscreen and beyond.
How often do you recommend drugstore skincare products to patients?
Frequently! Drugstore products are very accessible—convenient to buy, more affordable—which makes patients more likely to try and use them. Getting patients to develop and follow a skincare routine isn't easy, so simplifying that process as much as possible by recommending accessible products can go a long way.
What would you say to someone who thinks drugstore products aren't as good as luxury options?
Luxury products can be wonderful, but skincare formulas don't have to be expensive to be effective. It's also important to remember that most drugstore brands are parts of enormous, global corporations that have more money to spend on research and development and can produce products in much larger quantities than small luxury brands. Ultimately, this means that drugstore products may feature advanced ingredient technology that's been more thoroughly researched and, because they're being produced in bulk, at more affordable prices. Also, keep in mind that these global corporations often have both luxury and mass brands in their portfolios—these brands frequently share product innovations with each other, so you may be getting luxury technology at budget-friendly prices.
Do you have any tips and tricks for navigating the drugstore skincare aisle? It can be overwhelming!
Do your research ahead of time, and break your shopping list down into smaller, more manageable pieces. For example, if you have acne-prone skin and want a new cleanser, consider ingredients and textures that would be beneficial, like salicylic acid and gel or foaming cleansers, which are more effective at removing excess oil than creamy or milky formulas. Just by doing that, you've effectively eliminated a bunch of contenders from your potential shopping list.
Yadav's Favorite Drugstore Products
"This foaming cleanser effectively removes makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum, and dead skin cells without stripping the skin. It's so gentle that it can be used daily, even on sensitive skin. The formula features AHA mandelic acid, BHA salicylic acid, and PHA gluconolactone, as well as niacinamide and glycerin, which all work in tandem to gently resurface skin, clarify pores, and support skin barrier function."
"This is such a classic, and for good reason. It's gentle, effective, and can be used from head to toe—and the big jar really seems to last forever. The fragrance-free, hypoallergenic cream is formulated with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which help hydrate and nourish skin, strengthening the skin barrier to stave off dryness and irritation. Even though the formula has a richer texture, it doesn't make the skin feel greasy."
"This is a great SPF for people who tend to skip sunscreen when it feels heavy or sticky. It's really lightweight and absorbs very quickly and can work as a moisturizer and a makeup primer, too, especially if you have oily skin. It's a chemical sunscreen, so it doesn't leave a white cast, and while a lot of chemical sunscreens can be irritating, this one is gentle on sensitive and acne-prone skin."
"I like this formula because my whole family can use it, including my kids, who have more sensitive skin. It's fragrance-free, allergy-tested, and very nourishing thanks to a blend of oat extracts, which help to hydrate and soothe—and the formula is rich enough that I can use it to shave, too."
"I have been using Vaseline my whole life. It was a staple in my home growing up, and it still is today. I use it on everything: dry elbows and knees, dry cuticles, diaper rash when my kids were little, on their scrapes now that they're bigger, minor burns from a curling iron or a hot pan, and overnight on my feet under socks to keep them soft all year, especially during summer, when sandals beat them up, and on my face as the last step of a nighttime routine in winter (slugging)."
Yadav's drugstore skincare shopping cart clocks in at $71 for five effective items.
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