Creating a Walmart Skincare Routine
I’ve had the notion of going on a trip to WallyWorld to create a Walmart skincare routine from scratch bouncing around my brain for a couple of weeks. I’m constantly seeing drugstore skincare routine listicles but a ton of the products being listed are either online-only or over $25?
If I was researching into drugstore/supermarket skincare products I would want to see budget-friendly products that are actually stocked in-store! So I tromped down to my local Walmart and put together a step by step breakdown of how I put together a Walmart skincare routine from scratch.
This post contains affiliate links; if you snag a product through my link it will send some spare change my way to keep this slice of the internet up and running. Prices quoted are accurate as of the time of publication.
My Walmart Skincare Starter Kit Steps
I’ve picked out the following essential skincare routine products from Walmart:
- Cleanser
- Makeup Remover
- Toner
- Serum
- Facial Moisturizer
- Eye Cream
- Exfoliant
Watch the video below to see the full rambly review for each Walmart skincare product that I picked out for this skincare routine. I did forget to include my preferred toner in this video; keep reading to learn more about my cheap toner choice once you’re done watching!
*Update*
I have majorly re-worked this skincare routine recommendation list since this guide was originally published. I’ve since discovered cheaper and even more effective products and will continue to update this if I find even better skincare products at Walmart!
These are the products I used to build my Walmart skincare starter kit from scratch! These are friendly to all skin types, available in-store as of when this was published, and are all fragrance-free.
Walmart Skincare Routine Breakdown:
Here’s the cheat sheet if you want to go through the entire lineup quickly. Keep reading to learn more about each product!
Most of these brands have coupons in either the newspaper or online. Before you go shopping I highly recommend that you do a quick search of the brand at https://thekrazycouponlady.com/ to get some extra savings! I’ve linked the coupons I know of beside each skincare product.
- Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser $5.92 ($4 off coupon)
- Exfoliant: SheaMoisture African Black Soap Scrub $8.38
- Serum: Spring Valley Hyaluronic Acid Serum $5.94
- Eye Cream: Found Firming Red Ginseng Eye Cream $6.92
- Moisturizer: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream $11.47 ($4 off coupon)
- Sunscreen: Neutrogena Clear Face SPF 30 $7.97
Total after savings: $38.60!
Picking a Toner For My Walmart Skincare Routine
I wanted to also bring home a toner but I actually wasn’t able to find a decent toner! The only toner I found at Walmart that I would even consider bringing home was the Dickinson’s Witch Hazel toner.
I didn’t pick this up because I already had a huge bottle of generic witch hazel at home which is exactly the same thing just without cute packaging. Store brand witch hazel is much cheaper and just as effective as Dickinson’s. So if you have your heart set on getting a toner for your Walmart skincare routine just get yourself a bottle of generic witch hazel.
My Favorite Walmart Makeup Remover and Cleanser
I’m a firm believer in double cleansing if you wear makeup. For makeup removal, I love the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water. It’s very gentle and removes waterproof formulas without causing skin irritation.
After I’ve removed any makeup, I start the second phase of my double cleanse with the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. This hydrating cleanser leaves your skin feeling moisturized and is perfect for all skin types!
It’s extremely gentle and cleans away excess oil without stripping your skin. This is actually my holy grail drugstore cleanser for my everyday routine even when I’m using my more expensive skincare picks.
Budget Friendly Serums at Walmart
The new kid on the block in my Walmart skincare routine is the Spring Valley Hyaluronic Acid Serum coming in at $5.94. You’ve probably bought supplements from this brand before, they don’t carry a huge spread of skincare but they’ve put together some really great formulas! “Spring Valley Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a luxurious, lightweight moisturizer that provides a simple way to get that coveted, youthful glow.”
My favorite moisturizers at Walmart
I ran straight to e.l.f for my moisturizer and eye cream! I chose the e.l.f. Illuminating Eye Cream ($10.00) and the e.l.f. Cosmetics Hello Hydration! Day Cream ($12.00). The only complaint I have with the day-cream is the fragrance. There are zero benefits to having fragrance in any skincare product so I generally try to steer clear. Other than that one quip, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this cream. It’s non-greasy and feels light on the skin while providing ample moisture.
The eye cream does not have any fragrance and I found this cucumber-infused formula very refreshing. I’m currently battling some intense dark circles and I’m hoping this will equip me for my ongoing fight!
*Update*
My opinion on the two e.l.f products above has done a complete 360. I used that eye cream for two months straight and saw no improvement to my dark circles or puffy under eyes. It does a good job moisturizing, but that’s it.
I’m currently torn between two eye creams/balms. I’ve been religiously using the cleen beauty Cooling Eggplant Eye Balm for the past 8 weeks, but the Found Firming Red Ginseng Eye Cream is also a smash hit! The eggplant balm is targeted towards puffy eyes while the ginseng cream is slightly more targeted towards fighting fine lines and wrinkles. Pick the one that targets your biggest skin concern!
Walmart Skincare: CeraVe Moisturizer
My holy grail drugstore moisturizer was discovered while creating this routine, may I introduce you to the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream! This cream is extremely moisturizing and feels rich going on, but sinks in quickly with zero greasiness.
It plays well with all my serums and I also haven’t had any pilling or skincare rubbing off troubles while using it. I just love it to death!
My Favorite Walmart Exfoliant
My favorite skincare tool for preventing blackheads + refining skin texture is exfoliating scrubs!
Gently cleanse and exfoliate your skin with the Shea Moisture African Black Soap Clarifying Facial Scrub. This exfoliator provides instant resurfacing benefits while African Black Soap helps remove impurities from acne-prone skin and clear blocked pores. This is technically gentle enough for everyday use but 2-3 times a week is ideal to keep your skin happy.
This brand frequently has coupons in the Sunday paper so keep an eye out for some extra savings!
Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen!
Last but not least, let’s not forget the SPF! I’ve been using the Neutrogena Clear Face SPF 30 for years and it’s the perfect way to round off this skincare routine.
Please don’t be tempted to ignore applying your SPF! If you absolutely have to ditch something, skip your serum and slather on the sunscreen. Your skin will thank you in the years to come!
I’ve stuck to the basics for this Walmart skincare routine guide. If you want to dig deeper into finding the perfect face mask for your skin type, check out my guide here!