As much as I love my expensive skincare, I do love a good drugstore or pharmacy staple. When you can get an amazing moisturiser/serum/face wash/eye cream that is just as good as the pricier counterparts, why not take advantage of that? In fact, I would dare to say some of the formulas are even better than the more expensive options. Personally, I'm about 50/50 when it comes to my collection of high street and "designer" skincare products. I like to mix and match, and I'm always updating my rotation with new finds. For example, some days, I could use a drugstore makeup remover, daily moisturiser, and face wash but will apply a £126 vitamin C serum. It's all about a balance, right?
But I understand it can get a little overwhelming when you're shopping the aisles of Boots because there are so many brands and options. To help, I polled a bunch of dermatologists and got a list of their favourite drugstore buys. Here's what they would recommend over and over.
1. Face Washes
Ope Ofodile, MD, MPH, of Dermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta recommends CeraVe's foamy cleanser because it's great for sensitive skin but will also adequately cleanse skin of oils, sebum, and makeup. Ife Rodney, MD, FAAD, of Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics agrees, adding, "You still need a separate cleanser for your face since most soaps can dry out your face and change the pH balance. Cetaphil gently removes dirt without drying your skin using ingredients like vitamin E, B5, and glycerin."
Customer Review: "I recently received my order and it has been two days using it. I can definitely say I'm impressed. I suffer with dry skin and this really helps. My skin feels hydrated and plumped and less dull. I'm so glad I gave this a go as my skin feels less dry. I definitely recommend."
Co-founder and partner of Dermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta, Kathleen S. Viscusi, MD, FAAD, FACMS, says Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser has been an essential staple in her skincare routine for years. "It not only removes makeup and associated residue (including all things 'waterproof' and makeup intended for heavier coverage), but it is also incredibly moisturising and leaves skin hydrated without being even the slightest bit greasy or oily. And trust me—I've tried everything!"
Customer Review: "I've been using this for 10 years and will continue to do so. What's not to love about it? It doesn't sting my eyes, it's gentle, it melts away my makeup even waterproof mascara, lasts for months, good value for money, my beloved granny used this for years and years and she had lovely skin even when she passed away at 88. That's Good enough for me. Highly recommend."
"It's a great product. While benzoyl peroxide is an OTC favourite for acne, it can often be drying," says Michele Farber, MD, FAAD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group. "This CeraVe wash is a gentle formulation that contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to moisturise, reduce redness, and most importantly, improve tolerability."
Customer Review: "A must have for any skincare routine, lasts for ages and leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated."
2. Moisturisers
A majority of dermatologists I spoke to recommended Vaseline. "Petroleum jelly has been around for years and remains a medicine-cabinet staple because of its emollient properties, ability to help with skin healing, and safety record," explains Deborah Spey, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group. "It is allergenically inert, meaning you can't be allergic to it. Keep the contents of your jar clean and germ-free and choose a purified, triple-distilled version like Vaseline to avoid dangerous contaminants."
And Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, MD, FAAD, owner of Vibrant Dermatology and SkinBar MD adds, "I love Vaseline. It's extremely effective for chapped lips and dry skin, can be layered over lipstick, and is extremely hypoallergenic."
Customer Review: "I get dry skin around the nose and the forehead. I use vaseline a number of nights during the week, and it completely clears up my skin and makes it look fresh and clear. It's easy to use, excellent quality, and very versatile. I highly recommend this product."
"There are times when our skin is just parched, irritated, or over-treated, stripping our natural oils (despite our best intentions when using our skincare products!), and we can feel it," Viscusi says. "I have never found anything that helps me reset more than Vaseline or Aquaphor. There is a reason these ointments are still a gold standard for so many things, including moisturising."
Customer Review: "This skin care product is magical in results. I have very dry and cranky skin which was healed in few days. I strongly recommend this product."
"I recommend Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel as a great affordable daily moisturiser, as it hydrates the skin without the use of occlusive products that cause a heavy or oily residue," Ofodile says.
Customer Review: "As someone who can be sensitive to new products this Neutrogena cream does not disappoint. The texture is very light. It moisturises beautifully without looking greasy, so can wear it under makeup. My skin feels more hydrated and less tight after using it. There’s no perfumes and absolutely no scent which is great for people who can't use perfumed products."
"It would help if you had a moisturiser to lock in water after your shower," suggests Rodney. "This cream contains hyaluronic acid, a naturally produced substance that attracts and binds moisture from the environment. It can also heal your skin, repairing those little cracks and dryness that you can't see with the naked eye. CeraVe also contains ceramides, compounds that form a protective layer on your skin to keep moisture longer and protect it from external pollutants."
Customer Review: "The big tub lasts for AGES, even using it every day. I was initially worried that using it on my face would break me out, but it never has. It’s very gentle and is a nice barrier for the skin in winter. Also so good for very dry hands - it absorbs really well into the skin without feeling greasy, and it means I don’t over-do it on my eczema steroid cream. It’s a winner!"
"If you're looking for a two-in-one product, you can find a moisturiser with added sun protection," Rodney says. "Olay contains ingredients that heal your skin like amino peptides, niacinamide, and vitamin E. With broad-spectrum SPF 30 built in, you won't have to worry about forgetting your sunscreen."
Customer Review: "Love this product. Great moisturiser on very mature skin. Skin looks and feels moisturised in morning and prolonged use does show noteable difference in small lines."
"This skin-nourishing moisturiser has been shown to help reduce the itching and irritation of eczema. It contains colloidal oatmeal and ceramides and is free of steroids and fragrance.," Spey says.
Customer Review: "Perfect for my eczema Soothes and heals my skin overnight and reduces itchiness so my skin can heal."
3. Serums
"It has a slight, fresh citrus scent that dissipates quickly as it spreads easily on the skin in a lightweight moisturising formula. The opaque pump dispenser ensures that the vitamin C maintains its potency and the peptides add a next level of cell signaling to maximise the effect," says Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology.
Customer Review: "I love this product. The texture is lovely, somewhere inbetween a serum and a cream. It sinks into the skin instantly and my skin feels instantly moistened and protected. Constant repurchase."
Viscusi recommends this vitamin C serum, which contains 10% vitamin C/ascorbic acid, salicylic acid, and glycerin, a moisturising agent that naturally attracts water to the skin.
Customer Review: "I bought this a couple of months ago because, honestly, the bottle has always really enticed me. It's a really good vitamin C - definitely does what it's supposed to do, evens out and brightens the skin, feels pretty nice when it goes on. But, I am not 100% loving it. I don't like that it has a thicker consistency and the applicator definitely needs replacing. It's messy and too big for the bottle."
"It's a hydrating serum that gives the skin a radiant glow while working to soften fine lines and wrinkles," Ofodile says.
Customer Review: "Botox in a bottle. Honestly I've been using this religiously and people have been questioning me if I've had Botox, but its purely due to this product.'
Robinson says this one is a favourite of hers because "it combines low- and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid with the gold standard humectant glycerin, vitamin B5, and other hydrators to deliver optimal hydration to the skin by attracting water nine layers deep."
Customer Review: "I have combination skin, and during the winter, the cold weather and indoor heating often cause dry patches that become especially noticeable under makeup. But then I discovered the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Ultra Hydrating Serum – and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer! This serum has no fragrance, feels incredibly lightweight, and absorbs instantly without leaving any sticky residue. It provides intense hydration, and my makeup applies smoothly and evenly, with no dry patches in sight. I’m absolutely in love with this product! Will I be running to grab another bottle? Without a doubt, yes!"
4. Sunscreens
"It is definitely one of my favourite drugstore sunscreen options. Its staying power is amazing even in extreme heat and humidity, and I love its dry-touch texture. You also can't go wrong with UVA/UVB protection!" Viscusi says.
Customer Review: "This suncream is my holy grail! I use it all year round on a daily basis and it doesn't cause breakouts. It's lightweight on the skin, unlike many other suncreams on the market. It's effective."
Imahiyerobo-Ip also recommends this one from Avène, saying it goes on sheer, even on darker skin tones.
Customer Review: "I bought this sun cream as I wanted a mineral filter and this is the only one my skin tolerates! I recommend for all who have very sensitive/reactive skin"
5. Retinols and Retinoids
"RoC's retinol deep wrinkle night cream is powerful for collagen production without a lot of cost," says Jason Emer, MD, FAAD.
Customer Review: "It worked for my frown lines when applied. The ROC Correxion deep wrinkle cream gave the appearance of no frown lines. The cream absorbs quickly. I do have one deep wrinkle across my forehead that the cream had no effect on."
Hartman says this is a good option for those who have started to see fine lines and wrinkles form and have drier skin: "It contains [rhamnose to help boost cellular turnover] but also Vichy Volcanic Water, which has 15 minerals and hyaluronic acid to help with dryness."
Customer Review: "Goes on nice and a little goes a long way. I found absolutely no redness or tingling with this, and has not dried out my skin as other retinols can."
"Olay's Regenerist Retinol 24 has been a crowd favourite for years for a reason," Hartman says. "The secret may be the inclusion of niacinamide, vitamin B3, which helps to calm inflammation (which can speed ageing) and provide an extra antioxidant glow to the skin. It's a good go-to for someone just starting with a retinol."
Customer Review: "I am really impressed with the results that I see after 2 weeks of using this retinol night cream . It glides on easily and leave my skin feeling eally soft and nourished, although the silky surface that this offers takes a few hours to be fully absorbed by the skin. In the morning, the skin was smooth, bright, firm, less dark spots and pores."
6. Treatments and Toners
"It contains vitamin C and retinol to pack a powerful punch to even skin tone," Hartman says. "This advanced corrector renews the look of skin, brightening skin's tone and improving dark spots and discolouration. The bonus is that this product also contains the two most important components of an anti-ageing skincare regimen to treat wrinkles."
Customer Review: "I have used this product for a week now and I have seen a huge difference in my skin tone and how uniformed it is. Best product I have used so far. Worth the money."
Ofodile recommends this toner for oily or acne-prone skin because it uses salicylic acid to gently unclog pores.
Customer Review: "Undoubtedly smooths my skin, clearing out and minimising pores. I couldn’t be without this wonderful product now!"
7. Lip-Care
"My holy-grail drugstore lip SPF option is the Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lip Balm. This broad-spectrum, zinc-based lip balm safely protects from UVA/UVB rays and provides both hydration and a healthy glow—making it perfect for year-round protection," Viscusi says.
Customer Review: "This is a beautiful lip balm. So easy to overlook lip protection but not with this as it’s a total pleasure to wear, glides on and smells and tastes gorgeous!"
8. Body Products
"While most sensitive cleansers don't lather, this cleanser offers rich suds while soothing dry, sensitive skin," Spey says.
Customer Review: "I got this the other week and just had to leave a review. I absolutely love this stuff . I’ve always suffered from itchy skin, and this weather doesn’t help, but since I’ve been using this to wash with, I can honestly say it has helped so so much. It’s a must buy if you're suffering like me."
"I love Dove's Soothing Care Body Wash, a gentle, fragrance-free formula that has been clinically proven to help your body produce the ceramides it needs and one that leaves skin feeling soft after every wash," Robinson says.
Customer Review: "Smells great and is really moisturising. Does not dry out skin and this is now the main body wash I use. It is a good price too. I would order again."
"I'm not a fan of body bars and body washes. These soaps strip the protective layer of your skin, leaving it dry and exposed to dirt and sun damage," Rodney says. "A Dove Beauty Cream Bar (or the liquid equivalent) is one of the best things you can buy in a drugstore. These bars can clean your skin while still leaving it hydrated. The added shea butter contains fatty acids and anti-inflammatory vitamins to heal your skin."
Customer Review: "This soap is lovely and creamy, and not so drying on my skin as others. Apart from that, it is soap, what else can you say? I am clean and smell quite nice after using it!"
"It's a great choice because it both hydrates and heals dry skin without ever leaving it feeling greasy," Robinson says.
Customer Review: "Such a wonderful moisturiser! It smells so fresh and leaves my skin so soft. I'm applying way too much because my skin loves it."
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
