I’ve Tried So Many $300+ Products—These 10 Drugstore Gems Are Still My Go-Tos for Fall
I swear by them.
Y’all, I went a little bananas over the summer, treating myself the way I truly deserve with new fashion and beauty goodies, but now my budget needs to stand front and center. With fall just around the corner (GASP) I’m eyeing my skincare routine with my bank account in mind—we still have a mortgage to pay, after all. However, I don’t need to sacrifice quality to be mindful with how I spend my money. Quite the contrary, in fact. Drugstore skincare is actually how I shop for products at least half the time, so I don’t feel like I’m making that major of a change to my beauty lineup.
If you haven’t roamed the aisles of your local drugstore, either IRL or online, I’m very happy to tell you that there are so many affordable fall skincare products worth your time and attention. Obviously, the heavy hitters of any effective skin routine, like SPF and retinol, are included, as well as some if you know, you know formulas that everyone from your bestie to your dermatologist has stocked in their bathroom cabinets. Sure, sometimes the branding isn’t as enticing as your favorite Instagram-worthy brands, but that doesn’t take away from a product's effectiveness. So, if you’re also a responsible shopper and in search of a few affordable fall skincare products—because your epidermis is in need of a few targeted formulas post-summer—here are my 10 tried-and-true recommendations.
Keep It Clean
I love, love, love a cleanser, and there are so many beautiful formulas at an affordable price point. This is arguably the most important step in your routine—a clean face is the base of any effective routine.
At this point, I might as well be a spokesperson for this formula. It’s my forever recommendation when your skin is being temperamental or you just want a soothing, effective cleanse without breaking the bank.
If your skin leans a little more oily to combination but you still want a bit more hydration, this formula is a must. I reach for this after a workout to ensure my epidermis is free of sweat, grime, and leftover makeup I missed with micellar water.
The Eyes Have It
I just entered my late 30s and I’m incredibly grateful that I’ve been an eye cream disciple since my early 20s because I don’t look nearly as tired as I feel. Don’t overlook this step, especially if dark circles or fine lines are annoying you.
The peptide craze has been a mainstay of eye cream formulas for years, and it doesn’t get much better (or gentler) than this formula. The added niacinamide and caffeine help to brighten and smooth the sensitive under-eye area for impressive results, fast.
Ready, Set, Retinol
Serums are where you get the most bang for your buck at the drugstore, because when you’re not paying for fancy packaging or slick branding, the value can be found in the formulation itself. Retinol in particular is a must for me when I’m browsing the drugstore serum aisle.
Retinol has been a part of my nighttime routine for over 15 years, and this formula is one of my all-time favorites. It’s got a high percentage so it’s best for not-so-sensitive skin but it will also give you the type of results you'd expect from a much pricier formula.
You can never go wrong with a retinol from Olay. This formula is particularly hydrating, making it great for dry or mature skin types, while also remaining lightweight and comfortable on the skin. Add five drops on your face and neck at night to wake up radiant.
Make It Moisture
I can’t abide by a moisturizer that costs as much as an actives-packed serum. I like a straightforward formula that does exactly what the name suggests—moisturizes my skin. No muss, no fuss.
Leave it to a French pharmacy staple to create one of the best no-frills moisturizers of all time. This formula is deeply hydrating, sits beautifully under makeup, and leaves your skin with the loveliest glow. J’adore.
You know her, you love her. This formula—with its signature giant tub—is the GOAT of affordable moisturizers, no question. I keep this in my bathroom at all times and my skin is beyond grateful for the straightforward hydration.
Simply Sunscreen
By this point you don’t need me to remind you that daily sunscreen is a must, right? To prevent premature skin aging and protect against skin cancer, there’s no excuse to skip this step.
If you’re worried about a white cast from your SPF—fair—then I highly suggest reaching for this gel formula. It’s also ideal if you’re on the oiler side of the skin type spectrum.
I adore this formula, not only because it leaves behind the prettiest glow but it also hydrates my perpetually dry skin like a dream. This is a must as we head into cooler temperatures and the dew point drops. There will be no dehydrated fall skin on my watch!
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
Don't gatekeep our newsletters from your friends. Subscribe to Face Forward here.
