As a millennial living in a small Los Angeles apartment in 2018, I was naturally drawn to the minimalist, capsule-wardrobe lifestyle. While eight years have passed and I've thankfully moved on from only owning one set of utensils, I have to admit I still sometimes fantasize about throwing everything out and starting over—especially with skincare. So often, we overcomplicate our routines, cluttering our vanities with tinctures, potions, and formulas that rarely do what we need them to. How much easier would it be to start from scratch with only effective products?
I know what you're thinking: Buying everything new sounds expensive, and it certainly can be if you don't know where to look. Thankfully, I know a thing or two about finding effective and affordable solutions after 10 years of experience in the beauty industry and countless product tests. The solution is always CVS.
Why CVS?
I have finicky skin. It's technically oily, but only because it's so dry that it overcompensates by producing too much sebum. It's also sensitive, prone to contact dermatitis, eczema, rosacea, and more. I need dermatologist-tested products, and CVS offers them. The retailer doesn't just sell skincare—it educates you about what works for your specific skin needs, whether that's calming a flare-up or building a barrier-supportive routine. CVS has a dermatologist-tested skincare hub and 700 highly trained beauty consultants in 550 stores nationwide to help you find the skincare you need. I've also found that testing CVS's mini versions of products before I commit to the full size is helpful.
And of course, I have to speak on CVS's prices. CVS carries products with ingredient integrity that rival luxury options on the market without breaking the bank. Pro tip: You can save even more if you can keep an eye out for CVS's Extra Big Deals event, which includes BOGO deals, ExtraBucks Rewards, and more.
6 CVS Products I Swear By
Okay, now that you know why I shop at CVS for skincare, I need to show you what I would buy from CVS if I were starting from scratch.
As I mentioned, my skin is sensitive, so I prefer a gentle, fragrance-free, dye-free, paraben-free moisturizer that won't dry my skin but will still remove all that daily dirt and grime. More importantly, this formula won't strip my already dry skin.
Hypochlorous acid is a gentle yet effective antimicrobial. I was previously using a more expensive spray until my friend, who's an esthetician, turned me on to this one. I always keep a bottle in my gym bag to freshen up post-workout.
Made with 10% vitamin C, exfoliating salicylic acid, and soothing neurosensine dipeptide, this potent formula helps brighten, soothe, and even out your skin tone. Apply it every morning before your sunscreen.
While I love the above serum, it's not worth buying if you don't plan to protect your skin daily with sunscreen—especially one with at least SPF 30. The Skin Cancer Foundation updated its guidelines in May 2025, recommending that consumers use a minimum SPF 30 sunscreen, so I like to use this formula. It's lightweight, provides a dry-touch feeling (important for oily skin types), and contains vitamin E.
Do not—I repeat, do not—pick your pimples! When I'm dealing with the occasional rogue breakout, I swear by these hydrocolloid patches to suck out all the gunk in six to eight hours. I like to wear them overnight, but they're clear enough to wear subtly during the day, too. I also find they wear well under makeup.
You don't need a prescription for an effective retinol solution. The Olay Regenerist face moisturizer contains 19% more retinol than its original formula to combat wrinkles. Plus, it contains triple collagen peptides to support collagen production, and carnosine, a dipeptide that fights potentially damaging free radicals.
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