I always get questions about the best drugstore products so I thought I’d share some of my recommendations! Today I’m sharing my favorite drugstore skincare products under $20! (Stay tuned for more of my favorite drugstore beauty buys!) Even though I love all beauty and makeup products, skincare is hands down the most important. (You can see what products to get based on your skin type here!)
Before I even begin to think about makeup, I make sure that I’m taking care of my skin. You shouldn’t wait until you are older to take care of your skin and you definitely don’t have to break the bank to have a routine!
Skincare Routine
I start by removing all my makeup—micellar water or makeup-removing wipes work well! This is super important because sleeping in your makeup can clog pores and cause breakouts! Next, I cleanse my skin with a gentle face wash to remove all the dirt that you can’t see. I use a face moisturizer every day. Even if you have oily skin, you should never skip moisturizing! Without it, your skin continues to produce oil to compensate leading to more breakouts and even more oily skin. Just make sure to use oil-free moisturizer (like this one!) For a bit of extra help, I use eye cream for anti-aging and to hydrate the skin around my eyes. Finally, I use body lotion—my elbow, hands, and legs can get so dry! These drugstore skincare products are the perfect place to start your routine!
This skincare routine can be used everyday, but I also make sure to tone, exfoliate, and use a hydrating face mask as well! It’s important to remember that you can use the most expensive skincare products out there, but a healthy diet and drinking lots of water is the best way to take care of your skin! What you put into your body is far more important than what you put on it!
What’s the one product you use on your skin everyday? Let me know in the comments!
69 Comments
Finally! I was waiting for drugstore skincare recommendations for a while! Thank you so much! I loved the post #snapchatfam ?❤️
Lots of love from UAE ?
Hi Sona! This post is great! Nice to know there are products that like you said actually work and don’t have to spend lots of money! Thanks for the chart is very very helpful! My routine is very similar, but at night beside everything else that you already said in this post I apply rosehip oil before my moisturizer, is like my youth serum works great with hyperpigmentation and prevents wrinkles, makes my skin look plump! And is 100% natural! I love it! Love ya girl ?? #snapchatfam ?
I have the same skin care routine! I love using Simple Micellar Wipes to remove makeup and the Body shop Seaweed Pore Cleansing Exfoliator. Although I do use the Biore Charcoal Cleanser and absolutely love it!!! #SnapChatFam! ❤️
Thanks this is so great and useful. I have been wanting to try the garnier miracle water so now that you have recommended will definitely give it a go. I moisturise daily but I have been trying to find a good eye cream for a while now but this might sound stupid especially since you say you don’t have to be old to start skin care regime and your not old but I feel like anti age cream are only made for older generation so I have been worried about using them on my skin in case they are not for my generation
Hi Praise! It’s all about finding what works for you! Eye creams are super hydrating and can help prevent signs of aging around your eyes, even when you’re younger.
This is so amazing I really love this post from you ? and i love how it’s all so affordable thank you so much Sona your so amazing ☺? #snapchatfam
I was just thinking about which drugstore skin care products I should try! I love that you made a chart too- so convenient!
Thethirdandfifth.wordpress.com
Hi Sona,
Thanks for the great post. I was wondering what about a toner?
Thanks!
Sunni
Hi Sunni, this is my most basic routine but I use toner as well! I like Pixi Glow Tonic or Neutrogena has some good ones!
If you have acne prone skin the Neutrogena acne free toner is great!
Sona, I just wanted to say that your infographics are really on point!! Sleek, simple, easy to understand. Excellent job :) I use a few of the products listed already so this is awesome!
Thanks, June! I’m so happy you liked the post!
Hi Sona
I come from your Snapchat fam. You have really inspired me in the past several months since I subscribed to your blog and YouTube and I think your amazing. I’m only 15 but you have inspired me so much and taught me so much. I am eternally grateful to you.
Love you so much.
Eseld xx
Sona Love I absolutely when you do drugstore a anything. Skim care I have been waiting for this for a minute lol I use moisturizer the most I think . I screenshot all the products u posted it’s so helpful. Thank you so much. I need a new eye cream
So happy you liked the post, Irina! Look for more drugstore recommendation posts soon!
Wow nice recommendations for affordable skincare! My fav way to cleanse is -I love using oil with my aveeno makeup wipes, more gentle and don’t have to tug at my eyes!! Never tried micellar water though should def check it out…
Would love to hear about your fav bath n shower products , specially body butters and exfoliators with cold weather setting in soon !!
#snapchatfam ❤️
Thank you so so much for this post! I love the charts that you use!
I always use a face moisturizer every single day. I feel naked without it!
Thanks Sona! This post is awesome. I am already using quite a few of these products. Good to know I am on the right track. #SnapChatFam
Love,
Ridhima
Very important steps for us to do everyday… I never sleep with the makeup so thanks for sharing Sona with this post..:)
My everyday product to use its the makeup remover by neutrogena.
Love to see some good recs for drugstore skin care – So important!
Thank you so much for this drugstore post, I love most of this products, I’m glad you talked about them. Love so much
Kisses!!!!!!!
Este post es excelente! Productos buenos a precios razonables! Gracias Sona!
Saludos desde Perú!
Cerave, Aveeno and Garnier are regulars in my skin care line up – glad you like them too!
Angela / Blush & Pearls
Thank you for this post! I already use the Aveeno moisturizer but for my night time routine, I use the Aveeno cleanser and then the anti-aging moisturizer with blackberry extract. I need to find an eye cream I like!
! Such a helpfull post! I feel like the main strugle lf every girl out there is removing makeup -guilty-
Im going to give lubriderm a try…at last products available in Latinamerica!
Lots of love from Guatemala, have a good NYC trip!
I would like to see the order in which you would incorporate a toner, exfoliation and facemasks! Loved this chart and I’m glad, I think, these products would work well on oily skin for the most part! For my eyes I love to use the Neutrogena oil-free eye makeup remover… It’s nothing new but it works wonders for me!
Un abrazo desde Mexico!
I’m huge Neutrogena fan!
I actually use the wipes to remove my makeup and then I wash my face with the cleanser foam which is a great cleanser to get rid of the extra makeup that wipes don’t wipe out!
At night I usually use the ultra-light moisturizer and the eye cream, both are a great combo for lazy girls like me. For daytime I usually go for oil-free moisturizer, I love it!
Thanks for the always helpful advice!
I love this one, the cart is so helpful. We don’t get most of the products you mentioned here but I’ll try to get it from Amazon or eBay. The Bioré charcoal cleanser looks amazing . Could you do a blogpost on eye creams .. it’ll be very helpful.
I love the Jergens Wet Skin Moisturize lotion in coconut (it smells sooo good!). It has actually made shaving easier , I don’t use it shaving but by using the lotion everyday after a shower, I no longer get razor burn. My legs feel so soft and nice.
And Simple cleansing wipes are probably my most favorite makeup wipes ever. I did finally start using micellar water for removing my makeup and that has been a huge game changer.
I second you on the Jergens lotion! It’s amazing. Sona needs to try it out
This is such a helpful post! as a student, i always look out for great drugstore skincare products. My current favourites are by Simple, Garnier, Neutrogena and Cetaphil! Especially for my acne prone skin, these brands have actually helped me reduce the appearance of my acne scars! Great post Sona! love this!!!
I love it Sona! I actually use many of these products myself and have complete faith in your opinion. Thank you ❤️
I dont know how you make those charts. But they are so helpful and attractive, might I add. Its just easy to take a screenshot of the chart and save it. Very useful post, lobe it.
I love using my Garnier micellar water to remove my makeup with a cotton pad. To exfoliate I love to use the St.Ives apricot scrub, used it for a long time and it works great with my skin. But the most important is a healthy diet and a lot of water. I breakout less now than I did in high school and early college because my eating habits were not good and I broke out a lot. Great post. Love the charts.
I use mostly all garnier products which I love, especially the pure act 3 in 1 which basically is a wash, scrub and made all in one!
Once again great post!
#snapchatfam
Sona, I sent you a private message on the contact form. Have you received it?
Now, concerning the skincare routine, I follow the same steps. I always use the micellar water (Garnier) in the morning, then a cleansing lotion (Lancaster or La Roche Posay) and after that a hydrating moisturizer (Clinique). In the evening, I remove my makeup with a cleansing milk (Clarins or Avene), then I wash my face with a cleansing lotion and I am using for that my face brush by Remington. Sometimes I spray some thermal water (Avene) on my face and the last step is moisturize (I am using now the Collistar glycolic acid rich cream ). I don’t really use drugstore products for my skincare routine (except the Garnier micellar water) because I am afraid to put this kind of products on my skin. In Romania, the drugstore skincare products have a lot of ingredients that I prefer to avoid.
Also, once a week a use facial masks and scrubs to remove the dead cells on my skin.
XOXO, Ioana
Skincare is definitely something in which I can allow myself to spend, but some cheap options are never bad! Thanks for sharing! for this one I have not many of the brands available in Belgium but I stick to your suggestions of pharapharmacy products you picked in Paris!
:) Love you Sona a million kisses from Belgique!
My routine is quiet simple:
1.I prefer to remove my make up with makeup remover milk using soft cotton pads
I feel it works better that a micellar cleansing
2.Lately I’ve been washing my face with Vichy Normaderm gel for oily skin with acne.
(I don’t have acne but I have some pimples here and there, cause my face is soooooo oily)
3.To hydrate, I spray some rose water or thermal water on my face and let it dry.
4.Then I put Effaclar DUO +, from LA ROCHE POSAY, it’s the best acne treatment.
(I remember when you went to Paris, you’ve tried some French products from a pharmacy and she gave you a deodorant from this brand :D)
5.And finally I put a hydrating cream for oily skin and a cream under my eyes.
All my products are from Pharmacy!
Voila, I’m happy to share with you my routine. Love you. Mouah
I use natural oils to remove my makeup, they work the best, even with waterproof mascara :)
It’s too bad we can’t find these brands in France but… in my last trip in NYC, I bought randomly Neutrogena wipes to remove makeup in the plane. And these are incredible, because they actually remove waterproof mascara !! The best so far !
Thanks Sona! Great post!!!!!!!I love to use the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water . #snapchatfam
I’ve been wanting to try a drugs store eye cream so I’m thankful for this post, Sona!
Forgot to say that every day I use Cetaphil foaming face wash to cleanse. I have acne prone skin and my dermatologist recommended it. It’s very gentle!!
I have been looking for something like this post for forever! Thanks so much?
#snapchatfam
Love this post, and def love your charts! :)
I also use micelar water from Garnier but the pink one to undo makeup. And use every day the neutrogena oil free grapefruit wash and it helped with breakouts aswell. You’ve gave me the best idea with Aveeno moisturizer thanks so much! #snapchatfam
I wan to try the Biore cleanser. I have had my eye on it for a long while.
Thanks for the drugstore tips! I have super oily skin, but recently around my nose has been getting dry and flakey and I use a daily moisturizer but nothing seems to be hydrating it. My neck has also started to flake and I don’t know what I can use to fix it. Looking for any kind of recommendation you may have, drugstore or high end. Thanks so much!<3
Hi dear Sona could you please share the neutrogena toner that you use also .thanks ?
Thanks sona. Great post! I’m looking for something specific to dark under eye circles. Any suggestions? xx
Hey Sona,
First time commenting. I always read and I love your charts for easy breakdowns for indecisive persons like me. I always wonder what you should have in a skincare routine. Great blog post and i hope you will add the other steps you mentioned because I am a drugstore for life person and I am so lost trying to find what is best. Also, I have always wanted to know where do you get your information you always seem ahead of the game and are “in the know”. I try to research but I can’t find anything helpful. Just wondering if its personal knowledge or you research. Love your snapchats with the hubs. He is so funny. Thanks. Xoxo. #snapchatfam
This way great! I use cleansing oils then cetaphil to remove my makeup and the aveeno lotion and an eye cream. Is there any benefits to using a different face wash or lotion for day versus night?
Loved this! Thanks!
You definitely nail it with the charts, Sona!! Thanks for your hard work! I love these recommendations and will definitely be checking them out. :)
Thank you so much. I was just thinking yesterday that I have to find more affordable skin care. This really helps.
Hi Sona, I really liked this post, really informative. I am usually skeptical when it comes to drugsture skincare but I really want to try your suggestions. Lots of love from Germany #scfam
I recently bought the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, and I was amazed! I didn’t thought it would work so good! My favorite until now it was this one from Bioderma though! Nice post Sona! I can’t wait for the next one! xo <3
Yay! Seeing this pop up in my email made me so happy! Thank you for these recommendations. I recently bought the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water and it’s works so well. Can’t wait to try the Biore deep cleansing face wash.
Thank you so much Sona, it was really helpful.
Love from Paris ??
Thank you so much sona … this post is helpful for me iv’e been looking for a good eye cream since a while … you helped me alot … lots of love and best wishes for you :* :*
So excited to try out these products! I love knowing there are some products out there that work and won’t hurt my bank account :/ Thanks Sona! #snapchatfam
Hey! That was really useful. To be honest I can barely afford drugstore skincare but these are really useful. I always struggle with finding a good drugstore eyecream. I’ll definitely give one of them a try. I should really be drinking more water but find it hard.
Love the simplicity and organization of this post Sona. I have yet to try Micellar water..but I’m intrigued. I have oily/combination/acne/blemish prone skin, and I’m trying to find the best way to remove makeup at night. I personally don’t really like makeup wipes or harsh removers, therefore I used coconut oil and then follow with cleansing. However lately I’ve been looking for another makeup remover alternative! Would you say Micellar water is suitable for skin type like mine?
Thank you xx
I have skin type like yours and I love the micellar water! It’s amazing for acne prone skin because of how gentle it is. However I tend to use coconut oil or Cliniques take the day off on my face because you will need to use a lot of the micellar water to get a full face off! I mainly use it on my eyes. I know I’m not Sona but I thought I could help because I have your skin type :)
Nice post wish you had included serum in the skin care routine you gave :)
Hey Sona!! I would like to ask you something…I have combination skin and the area around my mouth and nose gets dry…I’m searching for a good oil free moisturizer…do you believe that neutrogena spf 15 will work???? Because you have dry skin,it helps you???????
sona thank you for all your recomadations it’s so helpful <3
Thank you so much for these affordable recommendations!