Including formulas that help reduce wrinkles
Top Dermatologist CVS Skincare Picks
- Same Ingredients as SkinCeuticals: e.l.f. Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum, $17
- Lowest Price: Nivea Body, Face & Hand Moisturizing Cream, $2
- 2 Dermatologists Recommend: CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, $21
- Drugstore Retinol: RoC Retinol Correxion Line-Smoothing Night Serum Capsules, $31
Though it’s tempting to splurge on every new skincare product that promises dramatic results, sometimes sticking with the basics is best. That’s why Dr. Neha Chandan, a double-board-certified dermatologist at Prime Dermatology, tells her patients to build their skincare routine at CVS instead of spending hundreds on costly serums and moisturizers.
“Skincare should be affordable and accessible,” says Dr. Chandan. “You can’t convince me that a $300 serum with the same formulation is better than the drugstore version.” With that in mind, Dr. Chandan told me the top CVS products for reducing fine lines and wrinkles starting at $2. Even better, CVS drops weekly discounts for members of its free ExtraCare program, so be sure to log in or create an account to get the lowest prices for the long weekend.
Dermatologist-Recommended CVS Skincare
- Don’t Forget Your Hands!: Nivea Body, Face & Hand Moisturizing Cream, $2
- Softens Chapped Lips: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Barrier Repairing Lip Balm, $10
- Glossy and Fragrance-Free: Aquaphor Lip Repair, $7
- Brightening: e.l.f. Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum, $17
- Lightweight and Not Sticky: Vichy Mineral 89 Hydrating Face Serum, $20
- Improves Skin’s Elasticity: CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, $21
- Smooths Fine Lines: CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment, $29
- Targets Dark Spots: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro, $43
- Travel-Friendly: RoC Retinol Correxion Line-Smoothing Night Serum Capsules, $31
- Kiss Undereye Bags Goodbye: CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream, $25
Related: 3 Celeb Makeup Artists Swear by This Smoothing Serum and Firming Eye Cream — Here’s Why They Use Them as Skin Prep
e.l.f. Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum
$17 at CVS
Vitamin C serums help brighten the skin and combat sun damage, so having a go-to in your beauty bag is essential, says Dr. Chandan. While the “gold standard” is considered the $185 SkinCeuticals version, this e.l.f. serum is 91 percent less and has the same three ingredients, she adds. Many other drugstore brands don’t contain ferulic acid, which is essential for keeping L-ascorbic acid — the most potent form of vitamin C — active in the serum. Plus, vitamin E helps fight ultraviolet (UV) exposure and moisturizes, according to Dr. Chandan.
Vichy Mineral 89 Hydrating Face Serum
$20 at CVS
There are plenty of pricey hyaluronic acid serums to choose from, but this $20 option is “just as good,” says Dr. Chandan. This lightweight pick isn’t sticky, and it attracts moisture to the skin to help “diminish fine lines,” she adds. One shopper said it keeps their face “hydrated throughout the entire day,” and they look “refreshed” immediately after applying it.
RoC Retinol Correxion Line-Smoothing Night Serum Capsules
$31 at CVS
Retinol is the only topical treatment proven to boost collagen production, so it’s the best anti-aging product you can buy, besides sunscreen, says Dr. Chandan. This travel-friendly find comes in 30 individual capsules that “help you stay consistent,” each with enough product to coat your face and neck, so you can enjoy fewer lines and improved texture. Plus, a fan said the serum “sinks into your skin” and “makes it feel really silky smooth.” That same person said it minimized wrinkles around their eyes and on their forehead.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream
$25 at CVS
Eye creams can cost a pretty penny, but this $25 CeraVe find has “all the ingredients you need” to eliminate bags and make your under-eyes appear more vibrant, Dr. Chandan says. The hyaluronic acid helps those pesky areas look “more full” while caffeine fights dullness and the ceramides are brightening, so you get a lot of bang for your buck. Dr. Chandan says she sees “absolutely no difference” in the appearance of her patients who use expensive eye creams versus those who use drugstore swaps, making this one worth buying.
Ahead, shop more dermatologist-approved CVS skincare from $2.
Nivea Body, Face & Hand Moisturizing Cream
$2 at CVS
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
$21 at CVS
CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment
$29 at CVS
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