While there's something undeniably fun about spending eyebrow-raising amounts of money on the latest luxury beauty buys, regularly doing so isn't necessarily the smartest decision for our bank accounts. Lucky for us, the drugstore is no longer just a place to pick up prescriptions and a candy bar or two, but instead, a one-stop-shop for all the budget-friendly skincare, haircare, and makeup essentials our hearts desire—some of which boast results that are just as good as (if not better than) that $70 serum sitting pretty on your top shelf. As product hoarders ourselves, we know a thing or two about which cheap beauty buys are the best of the bunch, and honestly, what kind of editors would we be if we didn't share our wisdom with you? Below, shop the drugstore scores our staff can't live without, from a cult-favorite facial spray to a scalp scrubber that's sure to change your haircare game. The best part? Every single find that follows is available on Amazon, so you can have them at your door in two days with just a few clicks. Keep scrolling for the details. Opening image: @mariobadescu
Did you like our 10 Best Drugstore Staff Favorites? Then you’ll love our 10 Best Sephora Staff Favorites!
February 14, 2020
Top 10 Lists serve as unbiased shopping guides to the most trusted product recommendations on the internet. Products are scored and ranked using an algorithm backed by data consumers find most valuable when making a purchase. We are reader-supported and may earn a commission when you shop through our links.
The Rankings
DANGSHAN Beauty Bar Facial Roller & Massager
STAFF SAYS: "I am all about facial massaging tools nowadays, and I now understand the hype. This $10 tool is a great dupe for the Jillian Dempsey sculpting bar ($195), and the results are amazing—it reduces under-eye bags, increases blood circulation, and helps with tightening! All a win in my book."—Emma Manning, Marketing Associate
AVARELLE Spot Patch PM
STAFF SAYS: "My saving grace. These acne patches are made for overnight wear, so anytime I feel a pimple starting to form, I slip one of these on. By morning, it’s pretty much non-existent."—Meredith Rimmer, Managing Editor
Purederm Collagen Eye Zone Pad Patches
STAFF SAYS: "The price tag of these eye patches is not reflective of the results! I have found that these eye patches work just as well as the expensive ones (maybe even better)! You can find them stashed in my makeup bag, bedside table, and bathroom cabinet. I just can’t get enough of them!"—Jamie Chandlee, CEO
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Makeup Remover Wipes
STAFF SAYS: "I love using micellar water to remove makeup and impurities both before and after washing my face. These towelettes are perfect for when you’re on-the-go, whether that’s at the gym or during a weekend getaway. I love that they truly feel like water—they don’t leave a greasy residue or irritate my skin like typical makeup wipes do.”—Kate Ferris, Staff Writer
Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Chamomile and Lavender
STAFF SAYS: “I use this facial spray every single day. I am OBSESSED! It’s great for dampening your BeautyBlender, using as a setting spray, or if you just want a little more moisture on your face! I bring the mini with me everywhere for some added hydration!”—Lily Cockerell, Site Merchandising Intern
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
STAFF SAYS: “I have used this cleanser for a few years now. My face can be sensitive, and this product never aggravates my skin, yet it is tough enough to remove my makeup—mascara included! My face always feels so clean and tight after I wash.”—Taylor Ohlenburger, Merchandising Associate
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Retinol Night Cream
STAFF SAYS: “This is the only drugstore anti-aging product that has truly delivered results. If you're serious about reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, I always recommend this product.”—Beth Zerdecki, Chief Product & Marketing Officer
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge + Case
STAFF SAYS: "There are very few things that I repeatedly buy from the drugstore, but this is one of them. It works just as well as (if not better than) a BeautyBlender for a fraction of the price, and the flat edge makes it easy to cover those hard-to-reach areas around the nose and eyes. I like to pick them up in packs of two, but I highly recommend starting with this option since it comes with the handy travel case—it keeps both the sponge and the items in your beauty bag clean.”—Kate Ferris, Staff Writer
Maxsoft Hair Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush
STAFF SAYS: “My husband put this in my stocking this year, and I’ve been absolutely obsessed. The material is softer than you’d expect, and where a comb or brush typically gets tangled in my wet hair, this helps scrub and exfoliate my scalp painlessly. In fact, it feels amazing and is super relaxing!”—Emily Carter, Digital Marketing Manager
Bedsure Satin Pillowcase
STAFF SAYS: “I was originally looking for silk pillowcases, but decided to give these Amazon pillowcases a try because they are a better price. They are amazing! They make my hair soft and keep my skin clean. They are also under $10!"—Molly Parken, Marketing Associate
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