All the Drugstore Beauty I’d Buy at Ulta’s Let’s Haul Sale

Four experts we spoke to have vouched for La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane foaming cleanser. “It removes makeup and oil buildup while still being gentle on the skin, but it’s a nice option for somebody who’s looking for a bit of a deeper, more thorough cleanse,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick. It contains ceramides, which maintain the skin barrier; niacinamide, which can lower sebum-excretion rates; and the brand’s signature thermal-spring water, a soothing antioxidant.

If you’re struggling with cystic acne, you may prefer this face wash instead. Dr. Hope Mitchell, the founder of Ohio-based Mitchell Dermatology, likes that it’s lipophilic, which means it “concentrates on sebaceous-gland areas” to dissolve excess oil from the skin.

The Ordinary’s products never go on sale, so shop soon. We’ve recommended this simple, noncomedogenic, soap-free cleanser that is great for all ages, from teens to 30-somethings.

One of our favorite inexpensive anti-aging serums, especially if you’re trying to treat texture. It’s made with peptides and hyaluronic acid, both of which are effective at boosting elasticity and moisture.

This hyaluronic-acid-forward serum also plumps and hydrates the skin, but it’s a bit more gentle.

Retinals are less harsh than a retinoid but more potent than a retinol. You won’t experience dryness and flaking with it as you would with prescription-strength products, and you should see results quicker than with retinols.

But if you would like to dip your toe in the retinol sphere, CeraVe’s serum is an excellent affordable option. The formula includes an encapsulated retinol that is released into the skin over time, meaning all the benefits (reducing the appearance of fine lines and dullness) without any irritation.

Garshick recommends Vichy’s Neovadiol Meno 5 serum if you’re pre- and postmenopause. Made with a blend of Proxylane, cassia extract, vitamins b3-C-E, omega fatty acids, and Vichy volcanic water, it helps to improve the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles while also firming, brightening, and hydrating the skin.

If you’re a seasoned pro when it comes to vitamin-C serums and are ready to bump up to something a bit stronger, we like this option from Vichy. It contains 16 percent vitamin C as well as hyaluronic acid to help maintain the skin’s moisture.

Former Strategist writer Lori Keong raved about Peach & Lily’s Glass Skin Serum when it first came out in 2018, and it’s become a staple on our site ever since. “This stuff is, no hyperbole, the best hydrating serum I’ve ever tried,” Keong says, adding that it makes her skin “impossibly dewy, plump, and less red all at once.” Writer Arielle Avila is also a fan: “I see a noticeable difference in my skin minutes after applying it, and with weeks of consistent use, my skin is definitely smoother and brighter,” she says.

This is the best hydrating toner. It’s formulated with skin-nourishing ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides. Cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose points out that because it’s fragrance and alcohol free, it’s non-drying and suitable for sensitive skin.

CeraVe’s no-frills moisturizing cream has been a best seller with Strategist readers for years now. It’s earned a spot in plenty of our Best in Class guides, including “The Strategist Beauty 100.”

A rare deal on our favorite chemical sunscreen for acne-prone skin. It’s oil-free sunscreen and it’s also sensitive skin–friendly.

This inexpensive all-in-one micellar water from Garnier cleanses and breaks down makeup and SPF.

OSEA’s intensely nourishing Undaria Algae Body Oil — which we named our best-overall pick — doesn’t go on sale very often, so don’t dillydally.

This self-tanner has been a Strategist favorite for years. “It’s one of those formulas that strikes the right balance between believable color and ease of use, developing into a natural-looking bronze rather than anything streaky or overly orange,” says beauty writer Krista Bennett DeMaio.

Every time Susannah Taylor, beauty editor and columnist, adds this tan booster to her moisturizer, she says people compliment her. “It gives a really smooth, radiant glow and slightly evens out your skin at the same time,” she says. “It’s one of those products that you can apply in the morning and forget about, but when you see yourself in the mirror midmorning, you look much better than you did when you left for work.”

I keep these hand sanitizers in every bag.

Our best less expensive shampoo for fine hair is now even cheaper. Even compared to more expensive brands, “this is the only one that ever gets my hair compliments,” says writer Dominique Pariso, noting that it “adds a good amount of body and, most important, a lot of shine without weighing my hair down or making it look greasy.”

“Poofed is the best word to describe the application process of the Odele Dry Shampoo,” says our contributor Erika Veurink. It absorbs oil compared to spray solutions that “really only masked the feeling with a sticky texture, a prime culprit for buildup.”

This classic budget dry shampoo is also helpful for keeping a silk press straight during the summer. “When the hairstyle starts to weigh down, dry shampoo is perfect for making it last two or three more days,” says hairstylist Mika English.

This is the best budget-friendly curling iron, and now it’s available for much cheaper. Hairstylists love it because it heats up in a few seconds and works well on textured hair.

Ilia’s skin tint is our favorite tinted moisturizer–slash–serum because it blurs imperfections, is lightweight, and is packed with skin-loving ingredients.

Our No. 1 mascara is just $3. Yes, really!

Writer Rio Viera-Newton suggests these creamy, water-resistant Shockwave liners from L.A. Girl to create graphic eye looks in vibrant colors.

I’m legally obligated to let you know when Black Honey goes on sale — $5 off isn’t a bad deal!

Peptides are still the “It” ingredient in lip treatments right now. Try the trend (for less) with this plumping balm — six shades are still in stock — to keep your lips hydrated and soft.

This Milani lip liner (in the shade All Natural) is the closest that Viera-Newton has gotten to a dupe of Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat.