An American icon, Trader Joe’s has been around since the 1960s. The store is constantly praised by shoppers for their innovative grocery items, but what everyone may not know about โ my favorite part โ are their curated beauty items! While being in college, buying cosmetics can feel like a splurge, but Trader Joe’s makes it so you don’t have to feel like that about necessities. From skin care, hair care, and body care, Trader Joe’s really does have everything, completely cruelty-free, and at affordable prices! Here are just some of my favorites that they offer year-round that you can conveniently grab on your next grocery trip.
1. Ultra hydrating gel MOISTURIZER ($8.99)
Trader Joe’s Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer tells you everything you need to know in its name. I have super dry and sensitive skin, so moisturizers often feel too heavy or, on the flip side, leave my skin still seeking hydration; however, this moisturizer is the perfect in-between. It has a lightweight formula, hence the gel-like consistency, that doesn’t irritate the skin, and its highlighted ingredients of glycerin, aloe leaf, and green tea leave the skin feeling perfect. Priced at $8.99, it is way below the average department store price for a moisturizer, yet it performs just as well.
2. shea butter & coconut oil hair mask ($3.99)
I have always had trouble finding affordable hair masks that hydrate my hair without feeling too heavy. Trader Joe’s fixed that issue for me with their Shea Butter and Coconut Oil Hair Mask. This has become a weekly must for me, it brings life back into the ends of my hair. Not only does it provide great hydration, but it also smells amazing. I always get compliments the day after I use this. You can’t beat a price of $3.99 for a product with amazing results, completely free of parabens, and is easy to use.
3. supreme hydrating eye cream ($5.99)
Your eyes are the first place people look; take care of them! The Supreme Hydrating Eye Cream is my top pick for hydration around the eyes, morning and night. I am on my fifth tube of this eye cream, it is that good. The best part about this product is that a little goes a long way, and the product absorbs into the skin so well. I love using this under my concealer because it ensures that my under eyes are never creasing or looking cakey. It has highlighted ingredients of collagen, Manuka honey, and various seed oils, all natural products that won’t irritate your skin.
4. dewy skin serum ($9.99)
As someone with very dry and sensitive skin, I have been reaching for Trader Joe’s Dewy Skin Serum more and more lately. With niacinamide as its key ingredient, Trader Joe’s Dewy Skin Serum has been great for reducing redness and strengthening my skin barrier. I’ve put all my friends onto this product for the perfect glow-from-within look. I’ve loved using this product right before my moisturizer for a shine that lasts all day. Especially with the dry seasons coming up, this product has been great for hydration from breakfast, through all my classes, and even through dinner.
5. daily facial sunscreen ($8.99)
I am very picky about sunscreens, but Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen has always been a top pick of mine. My favorite part of this is its ultra-smooth consistency; it acts like a primer and is perfect for layering underneath makeup. I really value sun protection (and you should too!), so what’s great about this product is that it meets the American Academy of Dermatology’s SPF requirements with SPF 40. I have worn this on hot, sunny summer days, and it has held up well, protecting me from the highest UV levels. And they offer the product with a mineral formula, which you can read about here.
6. vanilla lip mask ($5.99)
As a self-proclaimed lip mask expert, the Vanilla Lip Mask from Trader Joe’s is the only one you need. I love using this product right before bed and waking up with soft, hydrated lips. Even if you don’t like to wear a lip product to bed, this is an easy item to throw into any bag and carry with you throughout the day! Compared to most lip masks you see on the market now, this one is much more affordable, with a price of $5.99, and it performs just as well. What I also love about this lip mask is how much product it contains; it ensures that I don’t have to constantly repurchase it.
7. Leave-in conditioner ($5.99)
Another top choice for hair care is Trader Joe’s Leave-in Conditioner. This is literally magic in a bottle. Akin to many high-end formulas, this has made my after-shower hair care so easy and simple. Instead of reaching for multiple products, this leave-in has made it so I only need to reach for one. This leave-in not only leaves my hair feeling fresh, but it also acts as a heat protectant and smooths any flyaways. The scent is a massive bonus; this, plus the Shea Butter and Coconut Oil Hair Mask, has my hair smelling amazing. Plus, this bottle lasts me forever.
Stop dishing out the big bucks on your cosmetics. Beauty shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg as a college student. Luckily, Trader Joe’s recognizes that. They give us products that perform just as well as any products sold in department stores, that are often less than $10 and have just as much, if not more, product inside of them. These seven products are all some of my favorites that are offered year-round, but this article doesn’t even cover all the seasonal items that Trader Joe’s has that are also amazing! Run to your nearest Trader Joe’s to up your cosmetics game at a discounted price!