Home
Parenting
Just for Mom
Beauty
20 Best Drugstore Makeup and Skincare Picks of 2021

20 Best Drugstore Makeup and Skincare Picks of 2021

By Daley Quinn

Updated February 10, 2021

Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

Skip gallery slides

Credit: Art: Jillian Sellers.

A great beauty product at an awesome price is our love language, so we asked a team of mom experts to pinpoint the 20 best drugstore finds. Straight from the aisles, here are the winners.

Start Slideshow

1 of 20

No7 Laboratories 15 Percent Glycolic Acid

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

This is the highest-strength peel you can buy at a drugstore. Not only can it help with dark spots, uneven tone, and texture, but it also has some off-label benefits: “This glycolic-acid formula is very effective in treating the bumpy skin on my upper arms, called keratosis pilaris,” says Papri Sarkar, M.D., a Boston dermatologist and mom of two.

Advertisement

Advertisement

2 of 20

MELÉ EVEN Dark Spot Control Serum

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

Shake this bi-phase serum to combine its pigment-fighting niacinamide, hexylresorcinol, and retinyl propionate, which are proven to diminish dark spots and discoloration, says Chicago dermatologist and mom of two daughters, Caroline Robinson, M.D.

3 of 20

CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

It can be hard to find a do-it-all cleanser that won’t strip your skin, but “thanks to the ceramides, glycerin, and amino acids, this one is gentle enough for daily use,” Dr. Sarkar says. “It’s a great pick for folks with normal to acne-prone skin.”

Advertisement

4 of 20

Aveeno Calm + Restore Triple Oat Serum

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

Maskne and chapped-skin sufferers will appreciate this formula’s soothing oat extract. It’s also hypoallergenic, lightweight, and nongreasy, and it can be used morning or night to moisturize and strengthen the skin barrier.

5 of 20

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Eco Pads

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

A swap for mamas looking to up their earth-friendly game: These machine-washable, reusable pads offer a replacement for makeup wipes and cotton rounds. “I love that they remove every speck of makeup and can be used with micellar water or your fave cleanser,” Dr. Sarkar says.

These microfiber pads can be washed and reused 1,000 times.

6 of 20

Bioré Brightening Clay Mask

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

If your skin looks dull, dry, or just overall blah, consider this brightening clay mask. Vitamin C (from yuzu lemons) brightens, papaya extract exfoliates, and glycerin hydrates to target dark spots and help balance skin.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

7 of 20

L’Oréal Paris Le Liner Signature

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

Even beginner eyeliner users will fall in love with this formula. It dries quickly, lasts all day, and has a gel pencil on one end and a sponge tip on the other to blend out shaky lines, says New York City mom and makeup artist Keanda Rebelle. Choose from the everyday black or brown, or try a slash of navy or plum.

8 of 20

Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

A steady stream of coffee powers your day, but the discolored teeth you could do without. Hydrogen peroxide in this brush-on gel coats teeth and works while you sleep. “After just a few days of use, I felt my teeth did look a bit whiter, and then on a recent Zoom call, I looked at myself smiling in the camera and did a double take at how bright they were,” says makeup artist and mom of two boys Toby Fleischman.

9 of 20

Physicians Formula Matte Monoi Butter Bronzer

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

This matte bronzer has a putty-like powder texture that gives an airbrushed effect. Sweep on with a fluffy brush in the shape of a 3—hitting temples, cheekbones, and jawline—to frame the face, Fleischman says.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

10 of 20

NIVEA 2 in 1 Lip Balm & Scrub

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

“One swipe and I felt like my lips had had a spa treatment,” says Rebelle. Plant-based particles exfoliate then quickly dissolve into a nourishing balm to make lips supersoft.

11 of 20

CoverGirl Outlast Extreme Wear 3-in-1 Foundation Full Coverage Liquid Foundation

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

This humidity- and sweat-proof product is made to last up to 24 hours—through meetings and park hangs—or until you wash it off. For light coverage, apply with your fingers, or buff with a brush for a flawless complexion.

12 of 20

Sally Hansen Hydrate Peel-Off Nail Masks

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

Months on months of handwashing and sanitizing have likely left you with hangnails, rough cuticles, and dry fingers. Squeeze a bit of this cream onto each nail and around the cuticle, let set for 15 minutes (it’s thick enough that you can still daintily type or scroll), then peel off to reveal moisturized digits.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

13 of 20

Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

“After my full day running around with the kids, the formula didn’t smudge, rub, fade, or flake. I also love how thick it makes my lashes look,” Fleischman says.

14 of 20

Schick Skintimate Shave Cream

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

Whether you shave in the winter (or ever, really) is up to you. But know this hydrating shave cream can offer an assist. The formula starts as a liquid, then pumps into a rich cloud of foam in your hand. And the ingredients nourish skin while helping the razor glide along, staving off nicks and irritation.

15 of 20

Olay Fresh Outlast B3 Complex Body Wash in Rose Water & Sweet Nectar

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

“I’m always on the hunt for body washes that won’t dry out skin, and this one stays in my rotation because it has niacinamide, avocado oil, and petrolatum to leave skin clean without that overly tight feeling,” Dr. Sarkar explains. The scent is like a fresh bunch of flowers mixed with clean laundry.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

16 of 20

Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

If you were a fan of the OG Bio-Oil during your pregnancy, think of this as its supercharged cousin. The multi-oil blend, including mineral, lavender, and chamomile, is whipped into a thick gel perfect for cuticles, elbows, and feet.

17 of 20

Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Ultra-Hold Gel

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

“Whether it be for thick, medium, coarse, textured, curly, coily, or even kinky hair, this gel doesn’t leave buildup and will make curls defined, shiny, and full of life for days,” says Abra McField, a hairstylist and mom of two in St. Louis. Yes, please.

18 of 20

Pantene Nutrient Blends Miracle Moisture Boost With Rose Water Sulfate-Free Shampoo & Conditioner

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

This best-selling duo is superhydrating without weighing hair down. The shampoo gently cleanses and the conditioner glides through hair, leaving it smooth and frizz-free, says Rubenstein.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

19 of 20

Nexxus Curl Define Ultra-8 Pre-Wash Treatment

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

If the detangling process for your curls or coils tends to be a headache, apply this cream to dry hair five to ten minutes before hopping in the shower. It seals in moisture, McField notes, making hair softer, shinier, and easier to manage during the rest of the washday process.

20 of 20

TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Hairspray

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

A classic for a reason: It may look like any old hairspray, but this superfine mist gives weightless hold without the crunch (while using 50 percent less aerosol than typical formulas). “It’s truly invisible on hair. As someone whose clients are regularly photographed, I can tell you just how important this is,” says Rubenstein.

Up Next

By Daley Quinn