Despite the fact that dermatologists have access to any and every skin-care product under the sun, believe it or not, they shop at the drugstore, just like the rest of us. “There are tons of amazing over-the-counter options at the drugstore, all at accessible price points,” says Dr. Mona Gohara, a board-certified dermatologist in Danbury, Connecticut. And if you have dry skin, take note—there’s an especially wide array of moisturizing beauty products to be found at the drugstore. Dr. Gohara, who describes her skin as “dry all over,” relies on many of them in her daily routine. “When you have dry skin, you want to make sure every product in your routine is offering some kind of moisturization,” she says.
Her seven drugstore skin-care picks for dry skin
Cleanser
Dr. Gohara lathers up with the Dove Beauty Bar ($1.79)—an OG classic that’s been around since 1957—morning and night. “It’s a soap-free option that won’t strip the skin and actually deposits moisture as it gently cleanses,” she says. Plus, it can pull double duty as a body wash as well.
Hyaluronic acid serum
“The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid Serum [$30.99] is well-priced [and] cosmetically elegant and contains two different-size hyaluronic acid molecules,” says Dr. Gohara. The larger one sits on top of the skin, for an instant plumping effect, while the other penetrates deeper, to deliver ongoing hydration benefits and leave skin feeling nice and hydrated, she explains. Tip: because hyaluronic acid works by attracting and trapping water, you can maximize its benefits by applying it immediately post cleansing, while your skin is still damp.
A.M. moisturizer
Dr. Gohara calls the combination of shea butter, glycerin, and niacinamide in La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+ Intense Repair Moisturizing Cream ($23.99) a “triple threat when it comes to hydration.” Also nice: this nourishing formula works equally well on both the face and body. And it’s great for those dealing with eczema, too. The fragrance-free moisturizing cream touts the National Eczema Association’s seal of approval.
Related: The Anti-Aging Drugstore Skin-Care Routine a Derm in Her 40s Recommends
Sunscreen
As a general rule of thumb, Dr. Gohara recommends mineral sunscreens for those with dry skin; dryness and sensitive skin often go hand in hand, and mineral formulas are much less likely to cause irritation than their chemical counterparts. (That being said, mineral formulas are a good choice for all skin types, including acne-prone skin.) She loves the range of mineral options from Babo Botanicals, including the fragrance-free Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Non-Nano Zinc SPF 40 ($17). The lotion contains moisturizing jojoba and avocado oils but still feels lightweight and nongreasy, and offers broad-spectrum protection to shield skin from sun damage caused by both UVA and UVB rays. (As a friendly reminder, don’t forget that you need to be using sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every single day; you may want to opt for SPF 50 or higher on days you’re going to be spending lots of time outdoors.)
P.M. moisturizer
No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Night Cream ($26.99) earns Dr. Gohara’s vote for being both hydrating (credit the addition of shea butter and hyaluronic acid) and anti-aging (thanks to peptides and vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant). Your skin goes into a reparative and regenerative mode overnight, making this the ideal time to give it an extra boost with these types of active ingredients, she says.
Retinoid
Retinoids are the gold standard for stimulating collagen production, says the derm. (Translation: Minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.) Retinoids are also exfoliating, stimulating the turnover of dead skin cells to fade dark spots and brighten overall skin tone; they can also help clear breakouts. She likes Vichy LiftActiv Retinol HA Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Serum ($45) because it pairs retinol with hydrating hyaluronic acid in order to help minimize the likelihood of irksome side effects such as dryness and peeling. Still, you’ll want to avoid using this around the eye, and opt for a dedicated eye cream instead.
All-purpose hydrator
“Vaseline Original 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly [$5.49] is the ultimate skin barrier repair cream, keeping water locked in and the skin plumped. It’s great if your skin is dry and/or is showing signs of aging, like mine,” says Dr. Gohara. (And/or when you feel like a moisturizing lotion just isn’t cutting it.) She applies a liberal amount of the healing ointment (about the size of a piece of edamame) all over her face nightly, and she adds that it’s another good way to ward off retinol-induced dryness. Not to mention, you can also apply it on chapped lips in lieu of lip balm, on cracked hands, on rough elbows… you get the picture. Just skip it if you have acne-prone skin, as the thick formula may be too occlusive and up the likelihood of developing breakouts; look for a non-comedogenic moisturizer instead.
