I find drug store versions of name brand skincare products to be pretty fascinating. Recently I saw some pretty bold anti-aging claims on two SPF 70 sunscreen options at CVS. One was from the name brand (Neutrogena), while the other was CVS’s generic version, under a very similar name (Age Defense rather than Neutrogena’s Age Shield). A shield is a type of defense, so I think this is pretty much a case where the marketing team looked up “shield” in the thesaurus when it…

My acne has significantly improved since I started using Differin 0.1% adapalene gel about a year and a half ago—but I do still get the occasional pimple from time to time. When it’s a pretty big one, I’ve started using something I should have found out about a long time ago: acne spot patches, also known as round-shaped hydrocolloid bandages, cut to a size that fits conveniently over the entire pimple.

CVS is my favorite major retail pharmacy chain. The company gained my respect when it made the bold choice to stop selling cigarettes in 2014. Since then, I’ve seen it continue to do some pretty innovative things. Here are my top three reasons why CVS is the best store for skincare enthusiasts.