‘My Holy Grail’: 9 Trader Joe’s Skin Care Products That Actually Work, According to Superfans

When Trader Joe’s debuted its viral daily facial sunscreen last summer, consumers realized that the grocery store is a destination for cheap, high-quality skin care products. The viral sunscreen, which comes highly recommended by dermatologists, was a near ingredient-for-ingredient dupe of Supergoop’s Unseen formula. It was also a fourth of the price. That combo of affordability and quality extends to its other skin care products, according to superfans on Reddit. Here are their favorites, from overnight masks to an affordable retinol.

$9.99

Retinol, a vitamin A-based cream or serum, is the most used and studied anti-aging compound, according to Harvard Medical School’s health blog. It also works, with researchers finding that it can reduce pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and other common skin imperfections. Trader Joe’s 0.3% retinol night serum is worth picking up based on its price alone. “After working in a dermatology office, I swear by (Trader Joe’s) retinol serum,” one Redditor writes. “It’s very similar to the $70 0.3% serum we sold. Luxury really is an illusion.”

$8.99

While the price tag may seem steep for a Trader Joe’s product, one Redditor says this moisturizer is a dupe for Biossance’s Squalane + Probiotic Moisturizer … which retails for $54. Another commenter with “super oily skin" writes that it's their “holy grail” product. 

$4.49

This isn’t Barbasol. It’s moisturizing, paraben-free, aloe vera- and vitamin E-infused shaving cream that’ll have your mug smelling like springtime. And despite all those mysterious premium ingredients like organic echinacea (who knows what that’s doing?), it’ll cost you just $4.

$8.99

Trader Joe’s daily facial sunscreen needs no introduction. But in case you missed the buzz last summer, know that this $9 tube of gel was flying off the shelves within hours of being restocked. The draw is that its ingredient list is the same as Supergoop’s $38 Unseen Sunscreen, an oil-free, mattifying gel formula that doesn’t leave a white cast.

$7.99

Jojoba seed oil has a bunch of skin care benefits, experts say. It’s moisturizing, can help control sebum, and is packed with antioxidants. It also removes waterproof mascara “like nobody’s business,” one superfan shares.

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$6.99

Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment receives rave reviews on its website — but it’s also $40 for a tiny, 60-milliliter jar. Sad, we know. But there’s no need to freak out, because one Trader Joe’s superfan says the store’s $7 face mask (that’s more than five times cheaper!) is just as good. Just be sure to stock up when you see it, as it’s a seasonal item. 

Related: Beauty Products Worth Buying at Costco

$9.99

This facial serum is like a multivitamin for your face, with vitamins C, D, E, and K all making an appearance. It also works, Redditors say, with one commenter writing that it helped fade their dark spots. They mix it in with a Cerave-brand product and leave it on their face overnight.

Related: A Definitive Ranking of 6 Trader Joe's Wraps and Sandwiches

$8.99

According to the experts at the Cleveland Clinic, hyaluronic acid reduces wrinkles and age lines when applied to the skin. A Trader Joe’s crew member calls this formulation “fantastic,” adding that it’s “light and hydrating,” especially for folks with dry skin.

Related: Trader Joe's New Chocolatey Coated Peanut Butter Crispy Rice Bites Are Just 100 Calories , But Are They Any Good?

$5.99

That same crew member — they say they’ve tried nearly every Trader Joe’s skin care product — also recommends the retailer’s eye cream. “My skin is so dry that my eyelids get flaky often,” they write, adding that this product helps more than anything else.

Related: I Tried 9 Types of Trader Joe's Hummus — Here's How They Ranked