welcome to drugstore heroesa monthly series highlighting overlooked and under-promoted drugstore beauty products that industry experts are excited about. From editors to content creators and even celebrities, we ask tastemakers to share their best recommendations for affordable yet effective products. Get ready to see the best of drugstore beauty.
(Image credit: Original art by Audrey Hedlund)
We all know that dermatologists are skin experts. They spend years researching, researching, and actually working with patients. But their expertise goes beyond that. Possess scientific understanding and practical knowledge about cosmetics. as a whole. They know which products and ingredients are worth spending time, effort and money on, and, on the contrary, which ones should be left alone so as not to cause irritation, allergic reactions and other unpleasant effects. For example, consider your scalp and hair. People often forget that dermatologists are also the go-to medical professionals in this field. (The scalp is teeth That’s why patients can turn to them when faced with any kind of problem, whether it’s something simple like dryness or inflammation, or something potentially serious like hair loss.
So, if my dermatologist recommends a product to me, I’ll take it, especially if it: caroline robinsonMD, FAAD, Board Certified Dermatologist, and tone dermatology. I’ve been following her IG for years. (If you’re like me and want detailed, professional information on the fly, I highly recommend scrolling down.) So I knew she had some great advice and product recommendations. Still, I wasn’t ready with all 12 of her favorite drugstore beauty products. Let’s say you created a new shopping list.
(Image credit: Caroline Robinson, original art: Audrey Hedlund)
How often do you use and recommend drugstore hair care products?
I always reach for drugstore hair care products and recommend them to my patients. As long as the formula is cosmetically elegant, scientifically based, and has positive effects on the scalp and hair, I don’t care whether it comes from a fancy counter or a drugstore. For me, it’s very important that brands lead with science and research their formulations, not just trendy ingredients. There are certainly drugstore staples that I rely on again and again for scalp health, gentle cleansing, and basic conditioning. For example, I love Head & Shoulders’ Royal Oil line. The reason is that it is a gentle formulation based on scientific evidence. And there’s nothing wrong with combining drugstore products with high-end treatments if it makes sense within a patient’s daily life.
What do you say to people who think only expensive products work?
Price does not guarantee skin or hair results. You’re often paying for packaging, marketing, and sensory experience, not necessarily better ingredients or data. While there are beautiful and innovative formulas at higher price points, there are also great, well-formulated options at the drugstore. I don’t think it would be a problem to pay more if it really resonates with you. Sensory experience is also important. But be sure to meet the basic needs of your skin and hair first. I’m much more interested in the final formula and how it performs in the real world than I am in price. I constantly receive feedback from patients and curate my recommendations.
(Image credit: Caroline Robinson)
Do you have any tips or tricks for finding effective products at the drugstore?
There are so many options at drugstores these days that it can be confusing. My simple advice is to plan and shop based on your skin and hair concerns, not how it looks or feels. We recommend doing your research first, looking at ingredients, consumer reviews, and expert reviews to create a list of products worth trying. Basically, I choose the condition of my skin and hair, not the atmosphere. Buy a small amount at first and give the product a few months before determining if it is effective, as long as it does not cause irritation. For example, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a mood-boosting product and a normal cleansing reaction, such as retinol. Overall, if your skin doesn’t improve after trying several drugstore and over-the-counter products, it’s more than worth the investment to see a board-certified dermatologist who can guide you through the rest of your treatment regimen. Dermatologists have a deep understanding of skin and can teach you how to better understand your skin.
Here are some drugstore rules that I follow.
- For scalp problems (dandruff, dandruff, itching): We recommend looking for ingredients like salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, and selenium sulfide.
- For dry or damaged hair: Look for conditioning agents like ceramides, amino acids, and light proteins.
- For clogged pores: I like AHA and BHA. I prefer cleanser types to avoid excessive drying of my skin. I also like to combine benzoyl peroxide in the morning and retinoid in the evening for breakouts.
Robinson’s Favorite Drugstore Products
oray
Super serum body wash for rough and bumpy skin
“Think of this as a liquid body serum for KP and rough spots. Olay Super Serum Body Wash contains niacinamide, AHA/BHA, vitamin C, vitamin E, and collagen peptides all in one formula, so when you get out of the shower, before you reach for your body moisturizer, your skin is already exfoliated, looking brighter and feeling smoother.”
aquafer
Advanced Therapeutic Restorative Foot Mask
“Here’s my winter pedicure hack: I slip on an Aquaphor foot mask, answer a few emails, and when I take the mask off my feet feel like they just came out of the spa. Perfect for dry, cracked heels.”
neutrogena
Hydro Boost Unscented face wash and makeup remover
“For my sensitive, ‘need bubbles’ type of skin, this is the cleanser I always recommend. It gives you a satisfying lather, but the hyaluronic acid and micellar technology leaves your skin clean and cleansed without any subsequent peeling, dryness or tightness.”
vani cream
facial moisturizer SPF 30
“If you want a mineral sunscreen that the whole family can share, this is it. It’s moisturizing and gentle enough for rosacea-prone skin, so once applied, it won’t leave a heavy, white cast, leaving your skin feeling calm and protected as if you had no skin on at all.”
La Roche Posay
Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream
“This is a tube that my kids and I carry around with us all winter. It’s unscented, thick, non-greasy, and one of the few eczema creams that really soothes the itch while actually moisturizing your face and body.”
Eucerin
eczema relief body cream
“This is our go-to eczema cream. 1% colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, and licorice root extract soothe dry, itchy skin and keep eczema-prone areas comfortable all day long.”
Aveeno
skin relief healing ointment
“If you don’t like greasy ointments, but your skin is cracking from the cold, this is the ointment for you. The triple oat and shea butter base feels incredibly luxurious and can be used on hands, lips, and chapped areas without leaving greasy fingerprints.”
head & shoulders
Royal Oils Scalp Elixir Treatment
“This is my ‘in-between-wash’ remedy for braids, twists, and protective styles. The leave-in elixir has a cooling, soothing feel on the scalp and is formulated with pyrithione zinc to soothe itchiness.”
rogaine
Rogaine 5% minoxidil foam for women
“Minoxidil foam is still one of the few over-the-counter ingredients with real data to regrow thicker, fuller hair, and the foam makes it easy to target thinning areas. Officially for the scalp, I use it as a hack to create thicker, fuller eyebrows.”
neutrogena
Hydro Boost Hydrating Setting Powder
“I didn’t believe that setting powders could be moisturizing until I tried this. It’s a weightless, translucent powder with hyaluronic acid that sets and blurs without drying or powdery, and my makeup stays in place while leaving my skin looking bare skin.”
NYX professional makeup
vegan micro eyebrow pencil
“This is my everyday brow pencil because it just works. The ultra-fine tip allows you to draw tiny, hair-like strokes, the tint is realistic, and one brush through with the spoolie leaves you with soft, natural-looking brows that actually last all day.”
Maybelline
Lash Sensational Sky High Lengthening Mascara
“This is the buzziest mascara that people are really talking about. The flexible ‘tower’ brush captures even the tiniest lashes, while the bamboo fiber formulation creates length and volume, leaving your lashes looking lifted, almost false-level, without clumping or smudging.” ”
(Image credit: Original art by Audrey Hedlund)
All told, 12 of Robinson’s favorite drugstore beauty products cost just $189.
Source: Latest from Who What Wear – www.whowhatwear.com
