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Let’s face it: loving the skin you’re in and treating it right can sometimes be an expensive endeavor. Whether your particular poison is laser procedures, microneedling, luxury face masks and creams, or Botox, keeping your skin glowing can be a drain on your wallet — IF you don’t know a few wise ways to cut corners.
Now let it be said that there are places you should never, ever look to save a buck. Back-alley Botox and fillers performed by unqualified practitioners is NOT a place to save money and, aside from the aesthetic issues it can cause, can actually be dangerous. But knowing which skincare products you can buy at the local drugstore and which should stay on shelves is a cost-effective way to maintain a healthy and clear complexion without shelling out three figures every time you invest in a moisturizer or serum.
Dr. Dusan Sajic at Sajic Skin Science and Dr. Shara Cohen, founder and director of Mums In Science, weighed in with their top picks for drugstore skincare products you should leave on store shelves because they’re bad for your skin.
Maximum Strength Acne Treatments
When your face breaks out you may panic. And when you panic, you may begin impulse-buying everything at the drugstore that promises “maximum” fighting power against bacteria and zits. But that’s where you should pause and consider whether your purchase could cause more harm than good to your skin, according to Dr. Sajic.
“One of the categories of products I'm often skeptical about is the 'maximum strength' acne treatments,” Dr. Sajic says. “All OTC products will be much more watered down compared to prescription products so to me this is like saying maximum strength toddler.”
These acne products often contain higher concentrations of active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, Dr. Sajic notes — and this isn’t necessarily a good thing. “Although these ingredients can be effective they can complicate your prescription treatments and make you more dry and irritated, leading to both poorer compliance and to a compromised skin barrier and more skin problems down the line,” Dr. Sajic says.
If you’re suffering from acne that’s out of control, a better step is to find a board-certified dermatologist you trust and get to the root cause of your skin issues. If there’s a hormonal issue at hand, for example, a prescription medication may be a better solution. In any case, prescribed topical creams with just the right concentration of an ingredient like retinol can prove more effective for acne, and less damaging and drying to your skin, than an OTC pick.
Avoid: Physical Exfoliants
Drugstore shelves are often filled to the brim with facial and body exfoliants. While most dermatologists recommend exfoliating on occasion to help slough away dead skin cells and unclog pores, the type of exfoliant you use (and the frequency in which you exfoliate) can mean the difference between smooth, glowing skin and dry, irritated skin.
There are two categories of exfoliants: physical and chemical. Chemical exfoliants contain ingredients like enzymes and acids to help break down dry skin, and they’re often found at a more expensive price point. Many of the under-$15 physical exfoliants found at drugstores instead contain small particles that are meant to, literally, slough away skin by scrubbing it. And this harsh method can lead to skin issues you weren’t anticipating. “Since physical exfoliants can cause microscopic tears in the skin, people tend to avoid using them,” Dr. Cohen notes.
Ingredients To Avoid: Alcohol & Fragrances
No matter what drugstore skincare product you’re reviewing, there are a few ingredients you should keep at the back of your mind that are important to avoid: alcohol, fragrances, and parabens.
“Some affordable skincare products can contain potentially skin compromising ingredients, such as alcohol (which can be drying), fragrances (which can be irritating or cause allergic reactions and even make you more likely to get a sunburn!), and certain types of parabens (which have raised concerns about potential endocrine disruption),” Dr. Sajic says. “It's also good to avoid skincare products with formaldehydes and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, like DMDM hydantoin, MCI/MI and imidazolidinyl urea, which can cause skin irritation and allergies.”
Which Drugstore Skincare Products Are Worth The Money?
Despite these warnings, keep in mind that there are a number of amazing drugstore skincare gems that can save you money and support a smart skincare routine.
“Dermatologists recommend drugstore cleansers that are gentle and fragrance-free — a vital skincare product, as it removes environmental contaminants without irritating or drying the skin,” Dr. Cohen says.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is one drugstore product that Dr. Sajic recommends to patients. “It's affordable, widely available, and contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which are excellent for skin hydration and barrier repair,” Dr. Sajic says. “This product is also free from fragrances and other common irritants, making it a good choice for a wide range of skin types.”
Bottom line: expensive does not always mean better in skincare.
“It's all about the formulation and whether the ingredients are suitable for your specific skin type and concerns,” Dr. Sajic says. “It’s also important to ensure that all seven elements of skin care are optimized and protected — epithelial barrier, nourishing factors, structural components (elastin and collagen), microbiome, immune system, antioxidant and DNA Repair systems. To minimize the number of creams needed, ensure that you talk to your dermatologist.”
