Premium-quality skin care just got more accessible

Like many beauty fanatics, Laura Hedrick and Bianca Cuccioli enjoy trying out new products, keeping up with trends and finding their favorites at a good price. However, not everyone gets the chance to help develop and launch an affordable alternative to a premium product they love.  

Hedrick, senior owned brand category manager for beauty and personal care, and Cuccioli, owned brand commercialization manager for beauty, highlighted different items they’re most excited to buy for themselves as they discuss Walgreens’ new premium skin care products, which they’ve spent the last year-plus working on together. 

“My favorite is the Walgreens Moisturizing Facial Cream, which compares to Kiehl’s® Ultra Facial Cream,” says Hedrick. “It hydrates the skin and absorbs well without feeling greasy.”  

“And I’m a loyal user of the Youth to the People® Superfood Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser, so I can’t wait to stock up on the Walgreens Gentle Cleanser with its enhanced formula and much lower price point,” Cuccioli adds. The Walgreens brand product compares to its national-brand counterpart and also has additional gentle ingredients like aloe. 

Luxurious experience at an affordable price, backed by Walgreens standards     

Unlike some swaps on the market, Walgreens brand products are all rigorously evaluated by third-party testing to ensure their quality, efficacy and comparability, according to Hedrick. In addition, they are free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates, sometimes surpassing the standards of the products that inspire them.  

“We want the experience of the product to feel premium to the customer, so we’ve put significant thought into every aspect, from the formulations and ingredients to the design and feel of the packaging,” says Rachael Tobolic, director of owned brands for beauty, personal care and seasonal. “We want these products to not only feel great on your skin, but to look beautiful on your bathroom counter.” 

On top of ensuring the formulas and claims such as cruelty-free and vegan are comparable to their name-brand counterparts, the products typically go through several rounds of hands-on testing from the Walgreens teams to get details like the viscosity, scent, color and texture of the products just right, explains Cuccioli.  

Products that excite and attract shoppers  

“Walgreens is a trusted skin health destination in communities across the U.S., and we’re focused on developing a pipeline of products we know our customers are looking for,” says Tobolic. As more consumers seek budget-friendly beauty solutions, Walgreens brand skin care items are poised to be a go-to for on-trend, high-quality products at competitive prices.  

There are five new items in the current premium skin care launch, and an additional four new serums for the trend-inspired beauty shopper. “We already have a wish list in mind of trending, cult-favorite products we love that we’re going after next,” says Cuccioli.  

*These products are not manufactured or distributed by the company that owns the brand identified in the compare to statement. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.