CVS carries beauty products across skincare, makeup, sun care, self-tanner, and hair and body care. The picks below are a category-based shortlist—not a tested ranking—and availability, price, and promotions can change. Match products to your needs, then check the CVS listing and your local store before buying.
How to use this list
CVS’s beauty catalog spans multiple categories, but the retailer’s live assortment does not guarantee that every item is in stock at every location. The product examples below appeared in a CVS-sponsored Marie Claire skincare roundup published May 18, 2025; that article is useful for discovery, not proof of current price or availability. Its sponsored context matters when weighing its recommendations. Browse CVS beauty and verify each item before checkout.
These are options for different routines, not universal winners. Think about your skin or hair needs, preferred formula and finish, shade match, and how you plan to use the product. CVS’s makeup guide, updated September 12, 2025, discusses those factors and notes that products can suit different preferences. Read CVS’s makeup selection guide.
Skincare and cleansing
These cleansers, serums, and moisturizers appeared in the 2025 sponsored roundup. Choose based on the texture and purpose you want; the list does not establish that one is best for every skin type.
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- Versed Day Maker Microcrystal Exfoliating Cleanser — an exfoliating cleanser to compare with a gentler, non-exfoliating option.
- Versed The Purist Antioxidant Cleanser — another cleanser option from the roundup.
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Fragrance-Free Gel Facial Cleanser — a fragrance-free gel cleanser to consider if that format suits your routine.
- La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum With Vitamin B5 — a serum option for shoppers looking at hyaluronic-acid formulas.
- Versed Water Rush Intensive Hydrating Serum — a hydrating serum alternative to compare by texture and ingredients.
- Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream — a restorative protective cream option.
- Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer — a daily facial moisturizer to compare with richer creams or gel textures.
The roundup was sponsored content created with CVS, and its list should not be read as independent testing. See the original 2025 roundup.
Makeup and makeup removal
Choose base and finishing products by feel
CVS’s makeup guide emphasizes personal preference, skin type, formula, finish, and shade. For example, it says classic powder blush may suit oilier complexions, while cream blush may suit drier complexions. For primer, decide whether a mattifying or hydrating feel is more useful to you. The guide names e.l.f. Power Grip primer as a winner and e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer as a runner-up; it also mentions L.A. Girl Shimmer Spray, Wet n Wild Photo Focus Loose Setting Powder, and e.l.f. Halo Glow Setting Powder. Check CVS listings to confirm current availability before treating any of these as a CVS purchase.
Remove makeup
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes appeared in CVS’s catalog search results. Consider them as a makeup-removal option, and verify the current CVS listing and stock. Their appearance in CVS’s catalog does not establish availability on Amazon or the terms of any Amazon affiliate listing.
#1 Best Overall
- GLOW, WHERE'D YOU GO? When skin looks dull, tired, or less bright than usual, this lightweight Vitamin C serum helps bring the glow back in one simple step, no 10-step routine required
- BRIGHTENS & EVENS TONE DAILY: A stable, gentle form of Vitamin C (SAP) helps fade the look of dark spots, brighten dullness, and even skin tone without the sting or dryness that stronger Vitamin C formulas can cause
- A GENTLER VITAMIN C: Formulated with SAP, a stable, gentle form of Vitamin C designed to be tolerated daily, so you get the brightening benefits without the irritation of stronger Vitamin C formulas
- HYDRATION THAT KEEPS UP: Botanical Hyaluronic Acid plumps and holds moisture, Vitamin E helps defend against everyday environmental stress, and Aloe and Jojoba help calm and soften skin
- CRAFTED FOR REAL LIFE: Lightweight and designed to dry down completely, this daily serum fits easily into the routine you already have; Apply 2-3 pumps to clean skin, let it absorb, then follow with moisturizer and SPF; Paraben-Free and Dye-Free
Sunscreen and sun care
The 2025 sponsored roundup included the following sunscreen examples. Compare format, tint, and intended use, and check the current label and product listing for details before choosing.
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- Eucerin Tinted Age Defense Face Sunscreen Lotion — a tinted facial sunscreen option.
- Clarins UV Plus Anti Pollution SPF 50 PA+ Sunscreen — a sunscreen option listed with SPF 50 and PA+ in its name.
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen — a mineral, tinted facial sunscreen option in a fluid format.
- Vacation Classic Whip SPF 30 — a sunscreen option with SPF 30 in its product name.
Self-tanner
These self-tanning products also appeared in the 2025 roundup. They are different formats, so compare the product directions and choose the one that fits your routine.
- Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer — a daily moisturizer marketed for gradual self-tanning.
- Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Self Tanning Foam — a self-tanning foam.
- Tanologist Self Tan Water — a self-tanning water.
- b.tan Glow Your Own Way — another self-tan option from the roundup.
Hair and body care
The source material supports CVS shopping across hair and body care as categories, but it does not provide a substantiated shortlist of specific hair-care products. The body-care examples it does identify are Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer and the four self-tanners above. Use CVS’s live catalog to find items that match your needs and confirm their current availability rather than assuming a particular product is stocked.
Rank #2
- Plant Based Formulation - Free of synthetic color additives, fragrance, and stabilizers, dynamic active botanicals like Aloe Vera, Witchhazel, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, Witch Hazel and organic Jojoba oil combine in a silky smooth serum that can be used day or night.
- Anti-Aging Vitamin C Serum For Face - As you grow older, the skin loses its vitality, leaving it dull, dry and dehydrated. Vitamin C Serum contains Hyaluronic Acid and botanical blend that helps fight against wrinkles and spots. Including Vitamin C Serum in your daily skin care, helps add moisture on face and skin, nourishes the skin and helps to retain its natural glow.
- Advanced Antioxidant Serum - An indispensable nutrient for collagen production, vitamin C blends with Botanical Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E, designed to target the most common signs of aging, including firmness, fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots & sun spots.
- Stimulate Collagen Formation - Vitamin C is responsible for collagen production. Boosting your skin and body with Vitamin C Serum will enhance the natural formation of collagen that is the number one component for connecting tissues for skin health. No oily residue left behind. Absorbs quickly without a heavy, greasy or sticky feel.
What the recommendations do—and do not—establish
Marie Claire’s 2026 drugstore beauty awards report that 101 judges evaluated more than 3,200 submissions over nearly six months. That is the publisher’s methodology for its awards, not testing conducted for this CVS guide, and it does not show that every award winner is sold at CVS. Read Marie Claire’s 2026 awards coverage.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- BRIGHTER, MORE RADIANT SKIN: Unlock your skin’s glow with our vitamin c serum for face featuring 3-O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid. It helps enhance skin radiance, promoting a refreshed and luminous look.
- NOURISHING FORMULA: Nourish your skin with this vit c serum. It’s crafted to support skin hydration locking in moisture for a firmer, smoother appearance while working to improve the appearance of dark spots and fine lines.
- ULTIMATE MOISTURE BOOST: Enriched with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and vitamin E, this face serum provides lasting hydration and nourishment. Experience skin that feels soft, supple, and plump all day long!
- THE GLOW UP YOUR SKIN DESERVES: We meticulously developed a lightweight formula that melts into the skin helping improve skin texture over time while boosting overall glow. Enjoy a smoother, even-toned look that meets your skincare needs.
- SKINCARE FOR ALL: Made with natural ingredients, this vegan and cruelty-free anti aging serum is designed for all skin types. It delivers lightweight hydration, leaving your skin feeling refreshed and radiant.
Rank #4
- [ ANTIOXIDANT BENEFITS ] Antioxidant serum for face formulated with 10% t l-ascorbic acid, the purest form of vitamin C, to help brighten and even skin tone. Protective packaging helps prevent oxidation and maintain product performance.
- [ HYDRATING SERUM ] Facial serum formulated with Hyaluronic Acid to help improve skin tone, texture, and hydration for a healthy looking, radiant complexion.
- [ LIGHTWEIGHT TEXTURE ] This vitamin c serum for face has a gel texture with a non-greasy feel. If layering with an eye cream or facial moisturizer, apply serum in a thin layer and allow to fully absorb into skin before applying additional products
- [ 3 ESSENTIAL CERAMIDES ] Ceramides make up 50% of the lipids in the skin barrier. As you age, studies show that ceramide levels decrease. CeraVe products are formulated with 3 essential ceramides (1,3,6-II) to help restore and maintain the skin barrier.
- [ DERMATOLOGIST RECOMMENDED ] This face brightening serum is fragrance free, paraben-free, non-comedogenic, & allergy tested. CeraVe Skin Care is developed with dermatologists & has products suitable for dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, acne-prone, & more.
Rank #3
- BRIGHTENING VITAMIN C SERUM: Targets signs of aging by brightening and visibly evening out skin tone, and provides with antioxidant protection.
- WATER-SOLUBLE VITAMIN C: Formulated with Ascorbyl Glucoside, a derivative of vitamin C that converts into the active form once applied to the skin, which helps minimize the irritation potential.
- LIGHTWEIGHT, WATER-BASED FORMULA: Offers a less potent but more stable alternative to direct vitamin C in a gentle, non-irritating formula.
- APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Apply a few drops to the face in the morning and evening. Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes.
- PROTECTS AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE: Antioxidant properties help reduce the effects of environmental stressors on the skin.
CVS beauty assortment, local stock, prices, and promotions can change. Check the product page and your intended store close to purchase; a past sponsored mention or catalog result is not a current-stock guarantee.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
