10 Must-Have Drugstore Skincare Products That Give High-End Products A Run For Their Money

Let’s be honest, we’ve all had times when life’s gotten a bit too busy to spend time searching through several websites for skincare products. Besides, with a new ingredient being touted as a magical solution to every skin woe every other week, keeping up with a skincare routine can start looking pretty bad for your wallet. Fortunately, all you need to do to keep your skin looking great is to hop on over to your chemist and pick up a few affordable drugstore skincare products. And before you dismiss the notion entirely, we’d like to bring to your attention that several drugstore products are painfully underrated. 

Whether you’ve oily skin, chronically dry skin, or something in between: there’s a drugstore product out there that far surpasses its high-end counterparts. Better yet, your wallet will be just as happy as your skin every time you repurchase a drugstore product. If the cynic inside you is still not convinced, we’ve saved you the research time with our very own list of top drugstore skincare products. We bet you’ll want to head on over to your local chemist right after this.

1.Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock

Price: Rs. 250

Perhaps one of the most popular sunblocks out there and for good reason. Not only is Neutrogena’s sunblock oil-free, non-comedogenic, and suited to sensitive skin, it’s also waterproof, which makes it a reliable option for any occasion. Dermatologists recommend it due to its broad spectrum protection and lack of any comedogenic ingredients while most consumers love it for its light-weight, non-sticky texture. A good sunscreen is a must-have in a skincare routine and we’d put our money on this particular one.

2. Avene Thermal Spring Water 

Price: Rs. 693

Before you look at the price tag of this product and click away, hear us out. The versatility of Avene’s spring water makes it well worth the extra rupees. A dermatologist favourite, it’s rich in lipopolysaccharides, amino acids, sugars, and other trace minerals that restore the skin’s natural barrier, improve skin texture, soften skin, and calm itchy, irritated skin. This makes it perfect to use after cleansing as a toner, post-shaving or waxing to soothe any irritation, over sunburns and diaper rashes to ease inflammation, or even after makeup in place of a setting spray. If you’ve got sensitive skin, acne, dehydrated skin, or even skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis, this one’s got the potential to be a holy-grail product for you.

3. Bio Oil

Price: Rs. 383

While we’re on the topic of versatility, we’d be remiss not to recommend Bio Oil. Chock-full of healing and regenerating ingredients like vitamin A, vitamin E, calendula oil, chamomile oil,  lavender oil‚ and rosemary oil - customers swear by its ability to fade acne scars and stretch marks. And the fact that it helps with dermal repair and regeneration makes this oil a good go-to for when you’ve picked a pimple you know you shouldn’t have or if you’ve used a new product that’s damaged and dehydrated your skin.

4. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Price: Rs. 265

If you have the kind of skin that breaks out in acne and hives at the most common of ingredients, this antioxidant-packed, fragrance-free, non-irritating cleanser will do you a world of good. It cleanses without stripping your skin of its natural oils and maintains its pH balance. It’s got a lightweight, gel-like texture that glides onto skin easily and soothes irritation even while attacking all the dirt and grime you may have accumulated on your skin. If you’ve always had dry skin or are just starting out on your skincare journey, this is a great option for you.

5. Lakme Peach Milk Body Lotion

Price: Rs. 179

Far too many of us are guilty of focusing the entirety of our skincare routines on just our face and neck. But the rest of our body deserves some tender loving care as well. That’s where this popular body lotion comes in. This lightweight moisturizer seeps into your skin easily and keeps it soft and supple for a long time. It’s suited to all skin types, with even those with sensitive skin claiming it does not irritate them. The texture of this lotion is non-sticky so it’s perfect for the summer as well. If you’ve never been one to moisturize your arms and legs, you will once you’ve seen the wonders this simple product can do. 

6. Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel

Price: Rs: 452

We understand that sometimes even the more carefully formulated, non-comedogenic products can wreak havoc on our skin. So we’ve added in a product that’s perfect for when you want to take your skincare routine back to the basics or need to give your skin a much-needed break from having used too many things all at once. It’s got panthenol which heals acne, hyaluronic acid which locks in moisture, and aloe which soothes irritated skin. These along with other healing ingredients maintain the skin’s pH at a healthy 5.5 and keep acne bacteria at bay. The honest, straightforward set of ingredients combined with the testimonials of several acne sufferers will give you confidence to pick this one up for when your skin is all over the place.

7. Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Pack

Price: Rs. 119

Let’s be honest, sheet masks, although great and a lot of fun, can be a bit heavy on the wallet and wasteful for the planet. Besides, some of those ingredients can seriously clog your pores. A perfect alternative for spa-weekends when you want to pamper your skin while still giving it a serious cleanse from the inside out is this face back by Himalaya. It’s got neem which fights acne and impurities, turmeric which has anti-inflammatory properties, and multani mitti which soothes skin while also combating excess oils and clogged pores. This makes it a super cheap acne treatment. To be used twice a week, you can just kick back and relax with a good book as it does its thing and rinse it off to find cleansed, refreshed skin.

8. Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Cooling Toner

Price: Rs. 429

Speaking of feeling refreshed, if whiteheads and blackheads have you feeling like your skin is clogged and dull no matter how often you wash it, then this product’s for you. Containing salicylic acid which breaks up all the gunk and oil in your pores, this toner keeps your pores unclogged and your face blemish-free. The acid also provides that gentle exfoliation that every skincare routine needs, sans the need for harsh scrubs and abrasive ingredients that can damage the skin’s barrier. This toner also leaves your skin feeling instantly refreshed and regular use will keep blackheads from rearing their head again (pun intended).

9. Sebamed Anti-Aging Q10 Lifting Eye Cream

Price: Rs. 699

Those bags, dark circles, and puffiness under our eyes can’t be eliminated by just a regular skincare routine. They need a little something special. And this product is just that. It boasts of 32% reduction in under-eye wrinkles within 28 days. It’s got phyto peptides, shea butter, avocado, and almond oil which hydrate and lift under-eye skin without causing any irritation. The fact that it’s dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested also reinforces faith in its safety while the testimonials by customers championing its quick results are all the reason you’ll need to grab it today.

10. Nivea Lip Balm Original Care

Price: Rs. 119

Nobody likes having dry, chapped lips. They feel like sandpaper, bleed at the most inopportune times, and make even the best lip color look drab. And so they deserve a little extra attention as well. You don’t have to do a whole lot, a good lip balm reapplied every couple of hours will keep your lips supple and soft. We recommend the classic Nivea lip balm that’s enriched with shea butter and panthenol. It keeps moisture locked in for a good couple of hours and works well as a base for your favourite lipstick as well. 

And there you have it! A whole range of skincare products that you don’t have to spend hours looking for and days waiting for. These are great additions to your regular skincare routine but are the best for if you wanna strip things back to the basics or are just starting out on your skincare journey. Although they’re reliable and safe products, if you’ve got very sensitive and reactive skin, be sure to talk to your dermatologist or patch test these ingredients before using them regularly.