PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Trader Joe’s recently gained attention for its skincare range, often likened to higher-priced alternatives. Arizona’s Family had board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic chemist Dr. Cynthia Price evaluate several popular Trader Joe’s skincare items.
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Dr. Price reviewed Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen, priced at $8.99, comparing it to Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen, which costs $38. She noted that the sunscreen has a nice texture, largely due to its dimethicone ingredient, which acts like a silicone primer. However, she expressed concerns about its components and rated it zero stars, suggesting patients opt for the mineral sunscreen version at $12.99. This alternative contains 20 percent zinc oxide and provides a firmer feel, earning it five stars despite going on slightly white.
The dermatologist also assessed a Trader Joe’s lip mask, priced at $5.99 and compared to Laneige’s $24 version. She described it as “incredible” with nearly identical ingredients, awarding it five stars for both quality and price.
Dr. Price evaluated the retinol night serum from Trader Joe's, which includes 0.3 percent retinol. She considered it decent for early aging symptoms but advised against its use for more mature skin, giving it three stars.
Next, she reviewed Trader Joe's hyaluronic skin serum and dewy skin serum, both costing between $8.99 and $9.99. She found the hyaluronic serum to be good for acne-prone skin but lacking in complexity, granting it three stars. In contrast, the dewy skin serum’s superior formulation earned it four stars, aligning it with Rhode Glazing Milk, which is reportedly double the price.
The Marula Facial Oil from Trader Joe’s, priced at $6.99, was matched against a Drunk Elephant version costing $42. Dr. Price praised its hydrating properties for mature skin and assigned it four stars.
She also reviewed a Brazil nut body butter, likening it to Sol de Janeiro’s product, acknowledging its similar scent but waxier texture, resulting in a two-star rating due to the lack of certain skin-tightening claims.
Trader Joe’s Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream, at $4.99 and compared to a $29 L’Occitane cream, received five stars for its shea butter content and overall performance.
Finally, the final product assessed was a $10 vitamin C serum, compared to SkinCeuticals’ C E Ferulic, priced at $185. Dr. Price highlighted its greatly beneficial formulation, though she warned of a peculiar smell. She remarked on the importance of stability in vitamin C products, as instability can render them ineffective.