Lifestyle Style PEOPLE's Beauty Awards 2021: 50 Best Drugstore Products of the Year PEOPLE and TODAY staffers tried more than 300 makeup, body, hair and skin-care launches to find the latest and greatest drugstore essentials. The result: our 7th annual list of affordable and effective beauty buys. Happy shopping! By Staff Author Updated on November 18, 2021 11:15 AM Share Tweet Pin Email PEOPLE and TODAY have done it again! For the seventh year in a row, we've teamed up to bring you our ultimate list of drugstore favorites. Led by PEOPLE style and beauty director Andrea Lavinthal and TODAY contributor Jill Martin, our team of staffers tried more than 300 drugstore beauty products to find the best new affordable finds in the body, hair, makeup, and skincare aisles. And finally, after months of swatching, swiping and spraying, we narrowed the list down to 50 must-haves. During Wednesday and Thursday's episodes of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, cohosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager unveiled 15 skin products, nine body products, 15 makeup products and 11 hair products that will keep you looking gorgeous from head toe, including a vitamin C-infused exfoliator, a body lotion one tester swore made her legs looks firmer, a soothing scalp scrub and a mascara that went viral on TikTok. These 50 editor-approved (and budget-friendly!) finds can be purchased at your local drugstore or online via the links below. Ready, set, shop! Best Skin Products 01 of 50 Winky Lux Orange You Bright Gentle Vitamin C Exfoliator View at Target ($28) This granular scrub smells like freshly squeezed OJ and contains three forms of vitamin C to brighten your complexion. 02 of 50 Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer SPF 35 View at Amazon ($14.47) "Fantastic!" proclaimed one tester of this formula, which delivers a major dose of hydration along with broad spectrum sun protection. 03 of 50 Bliss Youth Got This Serum View at Target ($27) All of the benefits of retinol (smoother texture, more even skin tone, less acne) without any of the redness or irritation. 04 of 50 RoC Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Serum Capsules View at Amazon ($26.99) Each of these biodegradable capsules dispenses the perfect amount of hyaluronic acid to help you start the day with plumper skin. 05 of 50 SOL by Jergens Deeper by the Drop View at Amazon ($17.99) Testers loved that they could customize their tans by adding a little— or a lot—of this serum to their regular moisturizer. 06 of 50 Thayers Radiance Boosting Facial Cleanser View at Amazon ($10.49) A formula that works wonders on every skin type sounds too good to be true, but testers loved this rose-scented one whether theirs was dry, oily or somewhere in between. 07 of 50 No7 Pure Retinol Night Cream View at Walgreens ($34.99) "I woke up to smoother skin," said a tester of this retinol formula, which has a velvety texture that's so luxe, it feels like it should cost three times more than it does. 08 of 50 CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser View at Target ($16.99) Testers called this their "holy grail" cleanser because it's powerful enough to keep pimples at bay, without drying out skin. 09 of 50 e.l.f. Cosmetics Holy Hydration! Hydro-Gel Daily Moisturizer View at Amazon ($12) "It's like a drink of water for your skin," said one tester of this lightweight gel, which is packed with ceramides to help lock in moisture. 10 of 50 L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine Eye Serum View at Amazon ($29.99) 11 of 50 Olay Eyes Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Brightening Eye Cream View at Target ($28.99) 12 of 50 Neutrogena Rapid Firming Peptide Multi Action Eye Cream View at Amazon ($20.30) 13 of 50 Lumene Nordic-C Valo Fresh Glow Brightening Gel Mask View at Amazon ($15.69) In just five minutes, this citrus-scented gel gives skin a gorgeous glow thanks to a blend of exfoliating alpha hydroxy acid and vitamin-C-rich wild arctic cloudberry. 14 of 50 Yes to Avocado Cream Cleanser View at Amazon ($4.49) This ultra-gentle face wash has avocado oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, to nourish skin. 15 of 50 Soap & Glory Glow With It 10% Vitamin C Serum View at Target ($14.99) "It's everything you want in a serum," said one tester of this potent antioxidant formula, which gives skin a healthy glow and layers well under moisturizer. Best Body Products 16 of 50 Ivory Gentle Deodorant With a Hint of Lavender View at Walmart ($4.97) "I smelled glorious even after a workout," reported one tester of this lavender-scented, aluminum-free find. 17 of 50 Odele Moisturizing Body Wash This cruelty-free gel checks every box: It lathers well, smells amazing, and the 16-oz. bottle is an awesome value for the price. 18 of 50 Hero Cosmetics Brave Body Deep Scrub View at Hero Cosmetics ($14.99) Gritty in a good way and with a scent one tester described as "spa- like," this sugar- based exfoliator softens even the roughest spots. 19 of 50 Olay Firming Body Lotion With Collagen View at Target ($9.99) Testers reported that this lotion has the "perfect consistency" and leaves skin "more supple." One even swore it made her legs appear firmer. 20 of 50 Bio-Oil Skincare Oil Natural View at Walgreens ($24.89) The iconic oil now comes in a fragrance- and preservative-free version that makes skin feel just as silky as the original. 21 of 50 Bondi Sands Pure Gradual Tanning Lotion View at Amazon ($18.99) "It's beginner-friendly," said one self-tanning newbie of this "easy-to- apply" gradual lotion, which gives you just the right shade of bronze. 22 of 50 Skintimate Bloom Shave Gel "It makes shaving your legs feel like a treat!" said one tester of this gel, which turns into a mound of floral-scented foam. And even with its budget price, "a little goes a long way." 23 of 50 Nature's Beauty Detox Body Butter View at Walgreens ($8.99) You only need a bit of this rich cream—which has sunflower seed oil, shea butter and glycerin—to reap all its moisturizing benefits. "I'll be using it year- round," said one tester. 24 of 50 Dove Body Love Sensitive Care Hand Cream View at Walmart ($4.48) This formula tackles dry, papery hands and also absorbs in seconds. "I could get right back to typing on my computer," one tester said. Best Makeup Products 25 of 50 Revlon PhotoReady Rose Glow Face Gloss View at Amazon ($10.97) Gives a pretty sheen without any glitter, and our testers added bonus points for being a "hydrating" formula that can be applied anywhere. 26 of 50 Maybelline New York Express Brow Duo View at Amazon ($6.98) With a pencil on one end and a powder on the other, this tester favorite has everything you need for fuller, more defined brows. 27 of 50 L'Oréal Paris True Match Tinted Serum View at Amazon ($14.99) This makeup-skin-care hybrid (it has hyaluronic acid) creates an "airbrushed" effect. 28 of 50 Burt's Bees Color Nurture Cream Eye Shadow View at Burt's Bees ($9.99) Testers loved how easy it was to swipe on this shimmery cream. "It has the perfect amount of sparkle and doesn't crease," said one. 29 of 50 Wet n Wild MegaLast Incognito All-Day Full- Coverage Concealer View at Amazon ($3.98) Even a tester with "next-level dark circles" said this cover-up "slayed" without looking cakey. And did we mention it only costs five dollars? 30 of 50 Pacifica Beauty Vegan Collagen Fluffy Lash Mascara View at Amazon ($15.99) This "luxurious" formula uses plant-based fibers to up the wow-factor of lashes. Testers were equally impressed with the chic look of the recyclable glass bottle. 31 of 50 Honest Beauty Vibeliner Pencil Eyeliner View at Amazon ($11.99) It comes in a range of gorgeous colors (the bronze one was most beloved by testers), and the silky texture makes it easy to blend for a quick smoky eye. 32 of 50 Milani Ungilded Most Loved Mattes Eyeshadow Palette View at Target ($14.99) These hues flatter all skin tones—and work well together. "I had so much fun creating different combos," said one tester. 33 of 50 Neutrogena Clear Coverage Flawless Matte CC Cream View at Amazon ($12.99) 34 of 50 CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Liquid Eyeliner View at Amazon ($5.94) "The super precise applicator is greatfor drawing the perfect line," said one tester of this richly pigmented formula. 35 of 50 Flower Beauty Jet Set Invisible Powder Spray View at CVS ($14.49) Testers called this powder spray "game- changing" for its ability to absorb oil and keep makeup in check. 36 of 50 Milani Color Fetish Matte Lipstick View at Walgreens ($8.99) Testers loved everything about this formula, from the "elevated packaging" to the "stay-put but not drying" finish. "Hands down my favorite," summed up one. 37 of 50 Joah Beauty Air Light Satin Lipstick View at Joah Beauty ($7.99) "It feels like a cushiony cloud," said one tester of this shea butter- infused lipstick that has the staying power of a matte but the finish of a cream. 38 of 50 Wet n Wild Impossible Primer View at Amazon ($4.92) "It's better than many high-end versions," said one tester of the silicone-free find, which acts like a blurring filter for skin and creates a smooth canvas for makeup. 39 of 50 Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara View at Amazon ($8.98) "This might be the best mascara ever," raved one tester of the TikTok- famous formula that makes even the shortest lashes look unbelievably long without a single clump. Best Hair Products 40 of 50 Aveeno Sunflower Oil Blend System View at Amazon ($6.97 each) The antioxidant-rich main ingredient repairs over-processed hair. And testers loved the "fancy" peony and vanilla scent. 41 of 50 Gold Series From Pantene Anti- Breakage Combing Crème View at Walmart ($7.97) "I had the best hair day of 2021," raved one tester after using this lengthening cream that strengthens textured hair. 42 of 50 Garnier Fructis Texturizing Invisible Dry Shampoo in Beach Tonic View at Amazon ($5.99) If you like to go a day (or two . . . or three) between shampoos, this spray will keep your hair looking fresh. 43 of 50 Pantene Sulfate- Free Hydrating Glow System View at Target ($8.89 each) "I looked like I went to the salon!" reported one tester of her "shiny and smooth" hair after using this silicone-free combo. 44 of 50 TRESemmé Flawless Curls Defining Cream View at Walmart ($4.94) This coconut-scented styler lets curls air-dry to defined and bouncy perfection. Said one tester: "I'm buying another bottle when this one runs out!" 45 of 50 Nexxus Curl Define System View at Amazon ($14.99) The brand nailed it with their first line created specifically for curls and coils. "It's a great combo," said one tester, who loved how well it detangled. 46 of 50 Head & Shoulders Supreme Detox & Hydrate Hair and Scalp System View at Amazon ($17.94) This hydrating duo fights flakes and feels like a "surprisingly indulgent" treatment for your hair. 47 of 50 Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Hydro Boost Deep Treatment Hair Mask View at Walmart ($8.74) Though typically found in skin care, hyaluronic acid powers this gel-cream. "I couldn't stop touching my hair," said one tester of the silky results. 48 of 50 Love Beauty and Planet Rice Oil & Angelica Essence System The shampoo cleanses without stripping away natural oils, while the conditioner adds moisture to keep curls frizz-free. 49 of 50 Odele Detangling Leave-In Tonic View at Target ($10.99) Testers said this spray made blowouts a breeze, and also worked wonders on air-dried hair. "It didn't leave any residue behind," said one new fan. 50 of 50 L'Oréal Paris EverPure Scalp Care + Detox Scrub View at Amazon ($9.97) This "standout" won over skeptics for the way it gently sloughs away dirt, oil and product buildup for a feeling one tester described as "clean and recharged."