5 Drugstore Beauty Steals Experts Swear By

Even dermatologists who have access to the most expensive beauty products don't always use fancy brands. The reason? Experts know that some drugstore picks contain the very same ingredients as their department store counterparts. Here, the 5 beauty products dermatologists say you should stock on the cheap.  

Body moisturizer

All moisturizers do one thing: hydrate. And to get that luxe feel, they rely on emollients like shea butter, which prevent cracking and dry skin, explains Hadley King, a dermatologist at Skinney MedSpa in New York. These emollients are the same at every price point, meaning you're mostly paying for other benefits like scent, packaging, and anti-aging ingredients when you buy a moisturizer with a bigger price tag. For a simple but effective body lotion, tried and true St. Ives Naturally Soothing Oatmeal & Shea Butter Body Lotion ($4.78, walmart.com) offers up a highly soothing formula for a fraction of the price.

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Acne cleanser
Most of us have been hitting up the drugstore for cleansers since our teenage years, and there's no reason to stop now. The ingredients in many cleansers are actually the same, no matter what their price point is, explains Amy B. Lewis, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. "There are great inexpensive over-the-counter products like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid available as first-line treatments for acne," says King. Benzoyl peroxide reduces skin oil and fights bacteria; King recommends a wash with 4% strength and a creamy formula, such as budget-friendly PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash ($11.49, cvs.com). Salicylic acid, which can also be found in many drugstore picks, breaks down skin cells, penetrates the skin, and purifies clogged pores. Try Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser ($7.49, walgreens.com) for a daily dose of gentle yet effective sal acid.

Facial moisturizer
Despite what the woman at the beauty counter might say, facial moisturizers don't always require a lofty price tag. To save your cash, look for drugstore brands with moisture-locking ingredients like ceramides. "These natural lipids are found in skin's outer layer and help skin retain moisture," explains Lewis. "They serve as part of the 'glue' that holds surface skin cells together." Try CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($7.87, walmart.com) to give this derm favorite a shot.

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Silicone-based anti-aging cream
Although it's true that many anti-aging ingredients do come at a cost, products with silicones are in many drugstore picks. According to Lewis, a specific type of silicone, dimethicone, gives skin a smooth texture and helps it retain moisture. Dimethicone is also commonly found as an ingredient in drugstore skin care and is highly moisturizing, great for filling in uneven texture and fine lines. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 ($11.19, target.com) is not only a SPF-rich daily moisturizer, but it works to balance uneven skin tone and improve the appearance of dark spots.

Foot cream

Next time you're tempted to hit up the salon for a fancy pedicure, think again. There's no need to buy that expensive foot cream or invest in a softening foot treatment. "The best creams for dry heels have urea in them," says Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and a clinical professor of dermatology at the George Washington Medical Center in Washington, DC. Urea breaks down dead skin—it's an excellent exfoliant and hydrating ingredient and can be produced very inexpensively, she explains. Apply a urea-based cream like Eucerin Intensive Repair Foot cream ($5.49, walgreens.com) on feet pre-bedtime and cover with socks to let the ingredient do its work while you sleep.