What to buy in pharmacies in the United States – Best products

Discover what to buy in pharmacies in the United States, with tips on the best makeup, hair and skin care products and brands!

That the United States provides unique experiences for travelers is nothing new. What you may not know, however, is that one of these experiences is visiting the country's pharmacies.

Much more than places to buy medicine, the famous drugstores Americans have aisles and aisles of every item you can imagine, from medicines to makeup products, skin care, food, changing rooms, drinks, magazines and entertainment. 

It's easy to waste hours there, but sometimes that can be a problem. After all, most of the time, we have a planned itinerary, and it doesn't include wasting two hours choosing the best hair products to bring back in the suitcase.

With that in mind, I wrote this post to help you choose what to buy in pharmacies in the United States. Here's a list of the best makeup, hair and skincare products so you can make amazing choices without having to spend a lot of time.

NO TIME TO SHOP?

If you have a tight itinerary and no time to go to pharmacies or want to make sure you get everything on your wish list, my suggestion is to buy at American Amazon. The store has everything and delivery is usually super fast. To make things easier, I've already left the product links! If your hosting charges for receiving orders, you can also use the free Amazon Locker service.

Best makeup to buy in American pharmacies

Without a doubt, the category that can be used the most in pharmacies is makeup. You can find several brands that are not sold in Brazil, such as elf, Milani, wet n wild, LA Girl, Physicians Formula and others, and the prices are super attractive. 

Here are some product suggestions, and you can also check out the complete post with the best makeup to buy in the United States, with options for all budgets!

Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter

Achieve a natural, radiant glow with elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter, an innovative complexion booster that leaves your skin looking healthy and luminous. Infused with Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane and finely milled powders, it provides hydration, softness and a blurred effect for a flawless appearance.

I bought it on my last trip to the United States and it's the only thing I use when I do my skin, I don't even use foundation anymore. It's incredible and leaves your skin looking wonderful.

Elf Putty Blush

The perfect blush for those who want that glow that comes from within. O elf Putty Blush, a cream blush with a powder finish that melts into skin for a natural, healthy glow. Its highly pigmented, silky formula blends seamlessly, transforming from cream to a semi-matte powder finish for a brightened look without feeling greasy.

Elf Revive Lip Oil

Viral on TikTok, the elf Revive Lip Oil It's a cheap alternative to Dior's famous lip oil. The formula is non-sticky, and enriched with nourishing oils such as apricot, avocado, jojoba and pomegranate oil. It leaves a light touch of ultra-bright color on the lips and has a refreshing mint scent.

Catrice Holiday Skin Bronze & Glow

Charlotte Tilbury, is that you? Other dupe super famous that will give you the appearance of a tan all year round is the Holiday Skin Bronze & Glow Palette by Catrice. This palette has a bronzer and highlighter that go together perfectly, making you look like you just got back from vacation. Excellent texture, high pigmentation, and a great alternative to a more expensive popular product.

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer

Probably one of the most popular bronzers in the world of beauty YouTubers, the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer It has Murumuru Butter in the formula. It has a creamy and smooth texture, combining the best characteristics of a powder and cream bronzer to provide a unique tropical glow. The smell is delicious, but the color selection is not the most varied.

Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation

Looking for high coverage without breaking the bank? So you need to know the Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation, one of the best products to buy in American pharmacies. It is an ultra-lightweight, high-coverage foundation that provides a long-lasting, natural matte finish.. It has a drop applicator, and the foundation is so light that it provides an airbrushed, second-skin effect for up to 24 hours. 

I don't have it because I don't use foundation, but my makeup artist friend used it at her own wedding, so there's no greater proof of quality than this one.

Milani Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Matte Setting Powder

If you want that effect “beauty filter” in real life, the Milani Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Matte Setting Powder and to you. It is a super fine powder that creates an airbrushed finish on the skin, in addition to leaving it dry, with a matte but not lifeless appearance. It's made to work with all skin tones, and you can even use it to touch up your makeup without worrying about smudging what's underneath.

Best hair products to buy in US pharmacies

If you're going to check your bags on the way home, it's worth taking a look at the hair products in American pharmacies. Some brands are well-known, but have exclusive lines that do not sell in Brazil. 

Furthermore, just like with makeup, there are also several excellent brands that have not yet arrived on Brazilian soil that you can take advantage of to buy.

Here on the blog there is also a complete post with the best hair products to buy in the United States, with several cheap brands and some more expensive ones.

L'Oreal EverPure Bond Repair Line

If you're into hair care, you've probably heard of Redken's Acidic Bonding line. Well, L'Oreal also has its cheapest version, called EverPure Bond Repair.

This line repairs hair strength in just one application with the pre-shampoo, shampoo and conditioner treatment system. Strengthens strands and reduces hair breakage, providing silky, smooth hair that is revitalized without weighing it down. Not the ideal option to use in todas washing because it can be excessive and leave your hair weighed down, but for use once a week it is excellent. The rose-gold packaging is a charm in itself!

OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco

OGX has numerous excellent treatment oils for hair, the most famous being Argan and Coconut. They are ideal for all hair types, and help seal nutrients and shine into the strands, leaving them strong and silky. It's incredible because despite being an oil, the hair doesn't feel heavy, and the shine on the strands is one of those that makes it look like you just left the salon!

Monday Haircare

With stunning packaging and paraben- and sulfate-free formulas, Monday Haircare is already my favorite hair brand, and I use it for practically every wash. Enriched with rice protein to nourish the hair, there are several lines that meet specific needs, from deep cleaning to treatments for dry, malnourished or lacking volume hair.

Try the Gentle line shampoo for gentle and effective cleaning, or conditioners Smooth and Moisture for more nourished and silky hair.

Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil 

Shea Moisture has several great lines, but my favorite is Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil. The range contains natural ingredients such as Manuka honey and Mafura oil to attract and retain moisture, leaving hair soft and healthy. Rich in antioxidant vitamin C, it also helps to strengthen hair, promoting healthy, hydrated and frizz-free hair growth. 

Best skin products to buy in US pharmacies

I'll be honest, the drugstore is not where I would go to buy cheap skin products in the United States. Yes, there are some interesting options, such as La Roche-Posay, CeraVe and Neutrogena, but these are also brands sold in Brazil, and the price is not very different.

Now, if you want to save on skincare products, and still buy brands with excellent ingredients at a low cost, I suggest visiting Ulta and Sephora, where you can find brands like The Inkey List and The Ordinary. 

These are brands that, given the price, should be in pharmacies, but their popularity is so high that the most famous skin care stores have acquired distribution rights. Instead of selling “moisturizers” or “serums”, the products are named after the main ingredients. I really like Hyaluronic Acid + B5 and Peeling Solution AHA + BHA from The Ordinary.

Here on the blog there is a complete post about the best skin products to buy in the United States, and also a post with the best products from The Ordinary.

What are the best American pharmacies to visit?

Many cities have their own pharmacy chains, but there are those that are present throughout the country, and that are easily found by any traveler. Are they:

• CVS
• Walgreens

These two pharmacies have huge units and sell several brands of beauty products in their aisles. 

Furthermore, to find these same brands and even others, and for a cheaper price, you can also visit large stores like Walmart and Target.

Here on the blog there is a post where I explain which are the main pharmacies in the USA, and how to save on your purchases in each of them.

Conclusion

Knowing what to buy in pharmacies in the United States will save you a lot of time on your trip, as well as ensuring that you choose the best products on the market.

Now, tell me... Have you ever visited pharmacies in the United States? What did you buy? Tell me here in the comments!