10 Trader Joe’s Beauty Products You’ve Been Overlooking
Stop by the beauty aisle for these highly reviewed and affordable items. You might just find a dupe for your favorite cult beauty product.
Courtesy of Trader Joe's
Over the holidays, I purchased the Laneige Lip Mask, a trendy overnight lip product, for $24 at Sephora. It’s creamy, thick, hydrating—I loved it! Until my friend showed me the new Vanilla Lip Mask from Trader Joe’s that came out at the end of January. It has the same active ingredients, rich texture, and delicious flavor as the Laneige Lip Mask, but is only $5.99!
This got me thinking about all the cosmetics at TJ’s I’ve been ignoring. I truthfully have never ventured into the health and beauty aisle at Trader Joe’s, too busy hunting for Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips and frozen Butter Chicken amid the crowd. But it turns out some highly rated and affordable products have been hiding there all along. There are the tried-and-true staples, like the Coconut Body Butter and Daily Facial Sunscreen (which are also comparable to expensive cult beauty products), as well as some recent additions like the Peppermint Multi-Purpose Castile Soap and the Vanilla Lip Mask.
I won’t be neglecting TJ’s beauty aisle any longer, and neither should you. Here are 10 popular beauty products—all under $10—that you should try.
Beauty Fan Favorites at Trader Joe’s
Daily Facial Sunscreen, $9
This translucent, oil-free sunscreen will protect your face from the sun without leaving a white cast. I’ve been using the Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen for $22 with a similar sheer formula and the same SPF, so I’ll definitely be making the switch to the $9 Daily Facial Sunscreen.
Coconut Body Butter, $6
With aloe vera, shea butter, and vitamin E, the Coconut Body Butter hydrates and firms your skin, minus any greasy feel. The Brazil Nut Body Butter—comparable to the $48 Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream—is the real fan favorite, but it was only available over the summer. Your skin will still love the original version until the Brazil Nut Body Butter comes back.
Marula Facial Oil, $7
The Marula Facial Oil is a hydrating product with antioxidants for radiance—and it’s said to be an exact dupe for the $38 Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil from Drunk Elephant. You can use the oil on its own or mix a few drops into your favorite moisturizer. While TJ’s calls it a facial product, Marula oil can be used to hydrate your hair and nails too.
Peppermint & Tea Tree Shampoo Bar, $4
Not only is the Peppermint & Tea Tree Shampoo Bar eco-friendly without a plastic bottle, it also cleanses and rejuvenates hair with jojoba, peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus oils. I’ve been looking to switch to bar shampoo for its environmental benefits and long-lasting usage, and I’ll certainly be trying this $4 option.
Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer, $9
If you’re a fan of the $63 Clinique Moisture Surge, you’re going to love the Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer from Trader Joe’s for $9. The water-based formula is packed with aloe leaf juice as well as green tea, birch leaf, and milk thistle extracts. It also contains sodium hyaluronate, a type of hyaluronic acid known to help your skin retain moisture.
Rose Water Facial Toner, $4
The gentle formula of the Rose Water Facial Toner will hydrate and refresh your skin with Damask rose water, Damask rose oil, witch hazel, and soapbark extract. I tend to avoid any products with fragrance for my face, but with plenty of rave reviews, this product is a great option if you’re already a fan of rose water toners.
Almond Ginger Scent Oatmeal Exfoliant Bar, $4
The oldest fan favorite on the list, the Almond Ginger Scent Oatmeal Exfoliant Bar has been loved since 2002 for its luxurious lather, gentle exfoliation, and delightful smell. Just like the Peppermint & Tea Tree Shampoo Bar, this French soap is sustainably packaged and will last longer than bottled soap.
New Beauty Products
Peppermint Multi-Purpose Castile Soap, $6
Similar to Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Pure-Castile Liquid Soap for $12, the Peppermint Multi-Purpose Castile Soap from Trader Joe’s is half the price but still promises a myriad of different uses. Made with olive, coconut, hemp, jojoba, and peppermint oils, you can use the gentle Castile soap as a body wash, shampoo, household cleaner, laundry cleaner, and more.
Vanilla Lip Mask, $6
The inspiration for my Trader Joe’s beauty hunt, the Vanilla Lip Mask is just as luxurious and hydrating as the $24 Laneige Lip Mask, but for a fraction of the price. Both products contain shea butter, coconut oil, seed oil, and hydrating vitamins in their formulas, leaving your lips feeling soft and plump. I’ve tried both products, and I really see no difference—except the price.
Fragrance-Free Body Butter, $5
If you’re worried about competing scents in your beauty regime, try Trader Joe’s Fragrance-Free Body Butter. They added squalane and baobab oil to the shea butter base to repair dry skin and prevent water loss. TJ’s also recommends adding your own essential oils to create a unique body butter scent.
