The Drugstore Hall of Fame
One hundred carefully considered, fully vetted essentials.
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Over the years, our writers and editors have surfaced hundreds of Best in Class drugstore items — we even havea column dedicated to the topic. It’s where we go for mascara that’s just as good as something twice the price and our first stop for sunscreen that won’t pill or leave a cast. This year’s drugstore list prioritizes accessibility, with most of our picks readily available in person, but there are a few things, like Muji’s elegant-looking toothbrush stand, that might require a little legwork to purchase. As always, every item in the Strategist Drugstore Hall of Fame comes recommended by experts and obsessives: dermatologists, dental hygienists, frequent travelers, our own staff, and celebrities (like Kate Berlant and Jacqueline Novak’s favorite spray bottle for curls). And if you’re looking for more Hall of Fame coverage, we’ve recently updated ourWomenswear Hall of FameandBack to School Hall of Fame.
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Revlon's clippers slice away like a good pair of scissors.
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A solid alternative to Tower28's hypochlorous-acid mist (that's less than half the price).
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With its woodsy vetiver scent, it's referred to as “the Le Labo dupe” by those in the know.
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Practically invisible patches that work in six to eight hours and cost 36 cents per patch.
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The sunscreen that a cosmetic chemist calls "the best affordable sunscreen, hands down."
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This stain-remover spray is specially effective on berries and other shirt-ruining foods.
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“In under five minutes, I’m able to smooth out rough patches on my heels and outside my big toes.”
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The V-shaped design fits snugly into the concha, which helps these plugs lie flatter than others.
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Touchland's hand sanitizers are dangling from the backpacks of middle schoolers everywhere.
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A classic for a reason. Its single ingredient, petroleum jelly, provides instant chapped-lip relief.
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A sheer legend that actually does look great on pretty much everyone.
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Klorane is our team’s top pick three years running. It’s invisible even on dyed-red hair.
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They come in neon hues like deep turquoise, acid green, and traffic-cone orange.
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Maybelline's makeup-artist-approved concealer also comes in corrector shades like pink and yellow.
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Flamingo's razor provides an ultraclose shave without leaving a rash.
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Hanes' period boy shorts are thin and lightweight, best for light- to medium-flow days.
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Cleure's non-irritating toothpaste cleared up one writer's perioral dermatitis.
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Just one swipe from the $5 tube gives lifted, lengthened, curled lashes — no curling wand needed.
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Food spills are inevitable when you're out and about, but stains aren't.
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Cocolab's floss is soft yet textured, so it helps adhere to the tooth and remove debris effectively.
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They’re designed as a circle of stretchy fabric, so they don't tug and pull quite as much on hair.
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Can be used on everything from lips and cuticles to burns and bug bites.
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Applies acupressure to the wrist and forearm to relieve nausea and vomiting.
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The nourishing sesame-seed-oil base soaks quickly into the skin, leaving a nice shiny glow.
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Good for chest hair, pubic hair, and more. Four guard options ensure controlled, safe trims.
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Muji’s designer-approved porcelain holder takes up little space, is easy to clean, and looks nice.
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Micellar water is suitable for all skin types and doubles as a face wash and moisturizer.
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Bondi Sands’ foam tanner has a subtle coconut scent and a wide shade range, plus it dries quickly.
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Tweezerman tweezers can perform almost any hair-plucking job with ease.
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Dove's Beauty Bar is our best overall bar soap because it's gentle, effective, and affordable.
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She uses it to disguise wear on the corners of her black purses.
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A Conair blow-dryer that one writer has been faithful to since eighth grade.
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Mamison gloves are superior to American rubber gloves in every way, says writer Rachel Khong.
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A thick, occlusive ointment that works to repair a compromised barrier.
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A shampoo that contains minimal ingredients and actually works for sensitive skin.
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It has a smooth, hydrating texture that dissolves waterproof mascara with ease.
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"It's brushable, buildable; just a beautiful, beautiful hairspray."
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Not too salty or too sweet, they’re easy to dissolve and great post-workout or just on a hot day.
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Makes vaccine and IVF shots a breeze.
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Relieves itchiness, redness, and bumpiness almost immediately.
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Passes both the paper-towel test and the hug-someone-with-a-white-shirt test.
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It dries down quickly and doesn't leave an oily mess on your clothes.
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Can be easily mixed with body butters and lotions for extra hydration.
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Crest Whitestrips are the top-recommended teeth-whitening method from actual dentists.
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Naturium’s bodywash is oil-based for deeper moisture, but it never leaves skin greasy-feeling.
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One writer stopped her monthly pedicure routine once she discovered O'Keeffe's foot cream.
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A Curlfest founder has been using it for over ten years.
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What two Strategist gym rats use to get their workout clothes smelling fresh and clean.
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It’s taken two writers through middle and high school. Non-clumpy and long-lasting.
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Nizoral contains ketoconazole, an antifungal that can clear dermatitis and fungal acne.
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Beloved by multiple celebrities, including Lisa Vanderpump and Brooke Shields.
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It has the strongest engine on the market, so you can push as much food off your teeth as possible.
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Consistently clips clean edges without much struggle.
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Its internet virality singlehandedly brought blow-dryer brushes back from the ’90s.
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For a low price, RoC's cream will help brighten and target wrinkles and fine lines.
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E45 cream looks decidedly unsexy, but it works, imparting an instant luminosity.
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It addresses the root cause of bad breath rather than just masking it.
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These LED lightbulbs provide a soft, diffused glow.
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“This sadistic little torture device really goes deep into whatever is ailing you."
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It has a texture that's "just slightly softer than steel wool."
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L'Oréal's leave-in spray is a dupe for Redken's — but less than half the price.
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One Strategist writer has used Megababe's anti-friction stick for six years (and counting).
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So hydrating that it can be used at night as a lip mask.
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The Tongue Sweeper Pro is easy to use and made out of dishwasher-safe stainless steel.
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Senior editor Winnie Yang says the size is ideal for applying SPF over large areas.
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In pricing, application, and formula, it's by far the best dupe of Dior's Glow Oil.
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Applying La Roche-Posay's Cicaplast balm is like laying a blanket on top of your skin.
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Native's natural deodorant uses arrowroot powder and magnesium hydroxide to keep odors at bay.
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Dr. Bronner's castile soap is made with vegetable oil, so it won't dry out a baby's delicate skin.
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Lifts, thickens, and elongates lashes with zero clumps or flakes.
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"It helps you sleep; it helps you feel better; it relaxes your muscles."
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Clinically proven to be as accurate as a rectal thermometer.
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Earth Breeze sheets are beloved by Piper Perabo and multiple Strategist staffers.
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An entry-level option that has all the features dentists recommend, including a pressure sensor.
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ScarAway sheets help flatten and fade scars over time.
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Doesn't get more classic than Purell when it comes to germ-busting.
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"Once you use them, regular tissues feel barbaric."
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A moisturizer that’s made fans of makeup artists, aestheticians, and several Strategist staffers.
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An especially handy tool to reshape still-wet liquid eyeliner.
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The silver-infused bristles whisk away plaque in crevices that regular toothbrushes can't reach.
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It uses suction to remove irritating venom out of a bite so that it doesn't turn into an itchy welt.
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The marker-style applicator lets you sketch your lips with precision.
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It has a soothing lavender scent and doesn't leave hands feeling tacky.
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Like little squishy ladders for giving toes a good stretch.
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Because it has a glass, almost latexlike finish, makeup artist Sir John uses Eucerin as foundation.
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A cheap spray bottle can be surprisingly versatile.
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Sensodyne toothpaste is specifically formulated to block the exposed dentin layer under the enamel.
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Ponaris droppers were once included in NASA's medical space kit on every Apollo mission.
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It really does work to regrow hair, but consistency is key.
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Helps budge gummy adhesive remnants without digging or scraping.
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Invisalign, it turns out, makes an appealingly simple retainer case in lots of nice colors.
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Our writer found it easy to get a good fit, and it’s a Strategist reader favorite, too.
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It keeps makeup from sliding and is especially great for normal to oily skin.
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Makes eyes look instantly whiter and more awake.
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Mrs. Meyer's candles come in a pleasantly rustic jar and have a surprisingly powerful scent throw.
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Its pointed sides allow it to really dig into any areas of tension.
The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestacne treatments,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,natural anxiety remedies, andbath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.