New York Times Podcasts
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Is Trader Joe’s Skin Care Actually Good?
Posted
August 21, 2026
Views
54
Likes
3
Engagement
5.56%
August 21, 2026
54
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15:52Now PlayingTrader Joe's is beloved for its quirky snacks and frozen meals, but its beauty aisle has quietly become a hotspot for budget-friendly skincare and viral "dupes".
This week, beauty writer Neha Tandon shares the results of her extensive hands-on testing of Trader Joe’s moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens. She reveals which $10-and-under products are high-performing gems and which popular items missed the mark.
This episode covers:
• The $4 Holy Grail: Why the Rose Facial Toner is a highly versatile, multi-use must-have for refreshing skin, setting makeup, and even reviving curly hair.
• A $7 designer "dupe": How the single-ingredient Marula Facial Oil performs just as beautifully as luxury versions costing six times as much.
• The absolute misses: Why Neha suggests skipping the "Pine-Sol-esque" tea tree oil cleansing pads and the snotty-textured Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum.
• Better alternatives: Superior options for exfoliating pads and vitamin C serums if you want to upgrade your skincare routine.
Products we recommend:
• Rose Water Facial Toner ()
• Marula Facial Oil ()
• Retinol Night Serum ()
• Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 ()
• Instead of Trader Joe's Natural Facial Cleansing Pads, try Pacifica Glow Baby Brightening Peel Pads ()
• Instead of Trader Joe's Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum, try Timeless Skin Care 20% C + E Ferulic Acid Serum ()
Additional reading:
• We Tested All the SkinCare Products at Trader Joe’s to Find the Best ()
• This Trader Joe’s Sunscreen May Be Even Better Than Its Much Pricier Counterpart ()
• The 7 Best Retinol Products of 2026 ()
• The 5 Best Exfoliants of 2026 ()
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› ()
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