Cosmo Approved: 18 Drugstore Skincare Products Our Editors Actually Use and Love

Why we love it: Purifying is often synonymous with drying, but not when it comes to this deep-cleaning face wash. It’s excellent at removing excess oil and buildup on the skin without stripping away moisture or disrupting your barrier. Plus, it’s great for all skin types—especially those who are sensitive and acne-prone.

Cosmo editor review: “This is one of the top three face washes I’ve ever tried. I’ve used it on and off for years and recommend it to everyone. The level of foaminess is perfect, and it really helps get my combo skin clean without drying it out. Also, the bottle is gigantic, so it lasts me forever.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR

Why we love it: Consider this your double cleanse in a single step. The formula starts as an oil to break down makeup and buildup, and then transforms into a fluffy foam to get skin nice and clean with zero residue.

Cosmo editor review: “I know everyone raves about Cetaphil’s Daily Facial Cleanser, but people should be talking about this new oil-to-foam option from the brand instead. I love using it on nights when I’m too tired to do a real double cleanse but still need to break down my SPF and makeup.” —LB

Why we love it: Hate oil cleansing? This micellar water is the perfect alternative. It’s mess-free and ideal for oily and acne-prone skin types, since it removes pore-clogging makeup and excess oil while helping to mattify skin with a touch of salicylic acid.

Cosmo editor review: “This micellar water contains salicylic acid, which is great for controlling excess oil and keeping acne-prone skin like mine in check. I like how much product comes in the bottle (it legit lasts forever) and how easily the formula removes even stubborn makeup with just one swipe. I use it both as a makeup remover and as an added step to my nighttime cleansing routine.”—MACKENZIE DUNN, SENIOR COMMERCE MANAGER

Why we love it: Makeup removal has never been easier. Simply soak a cotton round in this drugstore micellar water and swipe it across your face to quickly refresh your skin in the morning or remove your makeup at the end of the day.

Cosmo editor review: “As someone with dry skin, my face just can’t handle makeup wipes. So I love using this micellar water from La Roche-Posay as a pre-cleanse in my skincare routine on the days I wear makeup. It doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry, and it takes off everything from blush to mascara with just a few generous swipes.” —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR

Why we love it: CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream needs no introduction. The gentle yet highly effective formula is loved by dermatologists, editors, and Cosmo readers for its ability to moisturize skin and protect the skin barrier.

Cosmo editor review: “When I had an allergic reaction earlier in the summer that left my face red, peeling, and so dry, I needed a heavy-duty moisturizer that wouldn’t further irritate my face. I ran to CVS and got a giant tub of this to nurse my skin back to health. In just two days, my skin was free of any flaking or redness.” —JH

Why we love it: Proof that not all moisturizers need to be thick and greasy to provide serious hydration. This gel-cream makes skin plump and supple without clogging pores or feeling heavy.

Cosmo editor review: “I come back to this moisturizer at least once a year, which is high praise considering I have drawers upon drawers of moisturizers. It’s a simple formula that seriously hydrates my skin but feels like I’ve got nothing on. It’s my go-to in the summer when my skin is especially oily.” —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

Why we love it: Everyone needs a do-it-all cream like this one in their skincare arsenal. It nourishes dry skin without feeling heavy or sticky and can be used on your face or body. It’s fragrance-free and made with soothing cica, so it’s a safe bet for easily aggravated skin.

Cosmo editor review: “This has been the workhorse of my skincare routine lately. I’ve been using it a million ways—as a body moisturizer on my arms and legs after the shower, as a non-greasy hand cream before bed, and as a soothing treatment when I’ve overdone it on my retinol and my skin needs some TLC.” —LB

Why we love it: Whether you’re dealing with eczema flare-ups or plain old dry and itchy skin, this soothing balm will be a welcome addition to your routine thanks to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties.

Cosmo editor review: “I have very dry, very sensitive, and very acne-prone skin, so I need any treatment I use to give me as much moisture and nourishment as possible without causing breakouts. Avene XeraCalm checks both boxes. I use it as the last step in my nighttime routine to keep eczema flare-ups in check and soothe any redness—all without clogging my pores.” —OLIVIA TRUFFAUT-WONG, EDITOR

Why we love it: This classic barrier balm can repair literally every inch of dry, cracked skin, including lips, elbows, and hands. It’s a long-time favorite among Cosmo editors and readers alike.

Cosmo editor review: “I don’t leave my house in the morning without my beloved tube of Aquaphor. It’s my favorite drugstore skincare product, hands down. I use it to moisturize chapped lips, soften rough cuticles, and heal cuts or scrapes, and in a pinch, it can double as highlighter, eye gloss, and brow gel too.” —LB

Why we love it: The perfect everyday face sunscreen for people who hate the feeling of sunscreen. This SPF 50 formula is oil-free yet still moisturizing and leaves behind zero white cast or sticky film.

Cosmo editor review: “If I can feel sunscreen on my face, I likely won’t wear it every single day. But that’s what I love about this Japanese formula. It’s light as air on my skin, but provides SPF 50+ coverage. It also doesn’t pill under my makeup—another big plus.” —BG

Why we love it: Packed with 16 percent ascorbic acid—one of the most potent and stable forms of vitamin C—this serum can help protect skin from free-radical damage (the stuff that leads to early signs of aging) and fade the look of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin texture, too.

Cosmo editor review: “I’m notoriously picky about vitamin C serums, but I’ve found love with this drugstore pick from Vichy because it brightens while also being super gentle and hydrating.” —BG

Why we love it: Instead of layering on a bunch of different serums, why not stick to one multitasker, like Olay’s beloved Super Serum? The 5-in-1 formula hydrates, brightens, exfoliates, smooths, and tones with a cocktail of potent actives, yet somehow doesn’t irritate skin or cause redness.

Cosmo editor review: “My skin freakin’ loves this multi-purpose serum. It smoothes texture, hydrates, protects with antioxidants, and gently exfoliates to reduce acne—all in one single product. Truly, it makes my life so much easier to just use one thing versus a whole cabinet of serums.” —BG

Why we love it: Ask any beauty expert what the best anti-aging ingredient is, and I guarantee you they all say the same thing: retinol. It’s proven to smooth fine lines and uneven texture by jumpstarting collagen and elastin production (two proteins that keep skin firm and smooth) and increasing skin cell turnover with use.

Cosmo editor review: “When it comes to drugstore retinols, you can’t go wrong with Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair line. The best-seller combines retinol with hyaluronic acid to help mitigate any drying effects so you’re left with smooth, dewy skin.” —LB

Why we love it: The hyaluronic acid in this lightweight serum works like a little moisture magnet to instantly hydrate, smooth, and plump dry and dehydrated skin.

Cosmo editor review: “This is probably one of the best hyaluronic acid serums I’ve ever used. The formula is straightforward and can be easily integrated into your existing skincare routine for extra hydrating benefits. A few drops on damp skin give skin a nice glow and instant plumping effect that I love.” —LB

Why we love it: So many acne face washes end up disrupting your skin barrier and, consequently, making breakouts and inflammation worse. This creamy pick from CeraVe kills bad bacteria with benzoyl peroxide while strengthening skin with ceramides and niacinamide.

Cosmo editor review: “Whenever I’m going through a breakout and my pimples are at their worst, I always wash my face with this benzoyl peroxide-filled cleanser. It’s great for all types of acne, even red, angry cysts. And I even like using the stronger 10 percent version for combating body acne.” —JH

Why we love it: This over-the-counter acne treatment is honestly just as effective as the Rx options. It contains 0.1 percent adapalene, a type of retinoid that’s proven to help clear up acne by increasing skin cell turnover and reducing excess sebum production and inflammation.

Cosmo editor review: “I’ve used Differin for years to help treat my hormonal breakouts. It’s excellent at not only preventing clogged pores and pimples, but helping to fade the stubborn post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that lingers long after a zit has healed.” —LB

Why we love it: A must in any acne routine, these pimple patches serve multiple purposes. 1.) they cover up breakouts so you’re less likely to pick ’em (out of sight, out of mind), 2.) they help shrink zits before they turn into massive breakouts with salicylic acid-spiked microdarts, and 3.) they speed up healing time and reduce inflammation.

Cosmo editor review: “Most micropoint pimple patches are for dark spots, and while I like those too, I almost always want a pimple patch for an existing breakout. Another gripe I have with pimple patches is how they rarely actually treat the zit itself. Just hide it away and keep it from getting more inflamed. But these are truly the answer to both conundrums. The lil micropoints help get salicylic acid right into my zit to exfoliate and help clear it up, reducing how inflamed and big the bump looks by the morning.” —BG

Why we love it: An active-packed daily moisturizer for acne-prone skin types, Star Cream uses salicylic acid to unclog pores and prevent breakouts, niacinamide to soothe inflammation, and hyaluronic acid to provide light hydration.

Cosmo editor review: “I used up an entire tube of this and quickly needed to pull out a backup. It’s the perfect gel texture for someone with oily or acne-prone skin. It sinks in quickly but still leaves my skin feeling moisturized. And the touch of salicylic acid in the formula helps treat my breakouts.” —BG