When it comes to cosmetics, I’m always hunting for a bargain.
Part of that is because I genuinely love wearing and experimenting with makeup — I go through it fast — but it’s also because, at heart, I’m a Savinly reader who prefers not to overspend.
Because of that, I hate paying top dollar for everyday makeup that I’ll wear during the day and wash off at night. You know that phrase about “money down the drain?”
Yep — I definitely relate.
So for my daily face, I stick with inexpensive lines you can find at almost any drugstore or big-box retailer.
I have my tried-and-true brands and products. I’ve tested my way through Target’s beauty shelves, found a foundation that doesn’t make me look orange or greasy, and discovered a mascara that doesn’t clump — and I’ve been pretty loyal to those picks for some time.
But lately I began to wonder if those staples are truly the best option for me — and I don’t just mean in terms of how they make my eyes or lips look.
I started to question what’s actually in my favorite drugstore makeup. Are those ingredients safe? Helpful? Harmful to my skin or overall health? Could long-term use of a chemical-heavy mascara, for example, be doing damage to my already-sensitive eyes?
So naturally, I did what anyone mildly obsessive would do: I went to the store, pulled out my phone and used the Think Dirty app to investigate the ingredients in those drugstore beauty items.
Here’s what I uncovered.
The Think Dirty App
The Think Dirty app was developed to help shoppers better understand which ingredients are in their preferred beauty, skincare and personal-care items. It focuses on chemical components and the potential health concerns linked to frequent use.
After you install the app on your smartphone (iOS or Android), you can scan a product’s barcode to get clear, concise information about the product and its ingredients. The app also suggests cleaner alternatives in the same product category.
The app uses a 0-to-10 numeric scale. Zero indicates a product contains “clean” ingredients without apparent health risks, while ten signals a product is loaded with potentially harmful chemicals that could have long-term effects.
Many products fall in the 4 to 7 range — not ideal, but not the worst either.
When you use Think Dirty, remember that a lower score is generally preferable.
If a scanned product has a high (i.e., “dirty”) score, the app will recommend cleaner options. Most of the alternatives tend to be all-natural brands that can be pricier, so personal budget and preferences will come into play.
Do What Works for You
I’m not here to insist you must pay premium prices for chemical-free beauty products. Honestly, after doing this experiment, I might only permanently replace a few items in my daily routine.
Do I wish I could toss out my whole collection and replace it with natural, gentle products? Absolutely. Can I afford to do that right this minute? No way.
And that’s fine. For now, awareness is a solid first step. I’ll make a few swaps to phase out the products with higher dirty scores and gradually add items with cleaner ratings.
(Also worth noting: not every affordable drugstore product suits every skin type or tone. Some people don’t have the luxury of being selective, which is a frustrating aspect of the makeup world — though brands are slowly getting better about inclusivity. Thank goodness!)
What matters most is finding what fits your needs and budget; everyone’s compromise will look a little different.
To see what I use, I started with the base of my routine and worked upward.
Face Lotion
I use a straightforward moisturizer: Olay Complete Daily Moisturizer. It’s priced around $8.89 at Target right now, and one bottle lasts a long time with daily use. It hydrates my skin without making it greasy and includes SPF 15. I’ve tried several drugstore creams, and this was my favorite.
So I was bummed when the app returned a yellow 7. (The color coding works like a traffic light: red for 8–10, yellow for 4–7 and green for 0–3. Lower is better.)
The app offered a few alternatives, though they were pricier than I usually spend. Since this is a product I apply closest to my skin every day, I may consider a more natural lotion down the road. For now, I might choose a middling option.
Drugstore brand I’d try instead:Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration Day Lotion, $10.29 at Target.
Think Dirty rating: 5
Primer
I was a longtime fan of Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Primer (it scores a 3), but it seems to be discontinued, so I needed a new option.
After installing Think Dirty, I let it guide me to the NYX Studio Perfect primer in clear, which I bought at Ulta for $12.99 — edging toward the top of my single-product budget.
I’m already a fan of NYX, and since this one also scored a 3, I was eager to try it.
So far, no complaints — a definite win.
Drugstore brand I’d try instead: For now, I’ll stick to theNYX Studio Perfect Primer, $12.99 at Ulta.
Think Dirty rating: 3
Foundation
I usually alternate between a BB cream and a full-coverage foundation. For full coverage, I reach for Maybelline’s Fit Me! Matte + Poreless foundation. It’s just $5.99 at Target and lasts me months. It’s buildable and keeps my skin from getting too shiny without over-drying.
The app gives this foundation a 7 — not terrible but not great — so I may try different brands.
Drugstore brand I’d try instead:L’Oreal Paris True Match Naturale foundation, $11.99 at Ulta.
Think Dirty rating: 3
Concealer
I’ve used Maybelline’s Face Studio Master Conceal for some time, though I’m not overly attached to it.
It scored a 6 in Think Dirty, so I wasn’t devastated at the idea of replacing it.
It’s affordable ($6.69 at Target), but given the ingredient concerns, I think there’s likely a cleaner formula that will work just as well.
Drugstore brand I’d try instead:NYX Professional Makeup HD Concealer, $3.99 at Target.
Think Dirty rating: 5 (not a huge improvement over the Maybelline’s 6, but it’s a step).
Blush
By now I was getting a bit worried about the number of questionable ingredients I applied to my face daily — even if they saved me money. So I was thrilled to discover the blush I use most often (e.l.f. Studio Blush) had a pleasantly low score of 3 on the app.
The best part? It’s just $3. That’s one I’ll definitely keep using.
Drugstore brand I’d try instead:I’d stick with the e.l.f. Studio Blush, $3 at Target.
Think Dirty rating: 3
Mascara
I’ve been loyal to L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara ($5.79 at Target) for the past two years.
It earned an 8 on the app — which made me glance nervously toward my eye makeup remover (my go-to micellar water scored a 3, for the record).
Of everything I’m considering swapping for cleaner-ingredient versions, mascara is top of the list. My eyes are sensitive, and I’d prefer not to risk exposing them to potentially harmful chemicals that sit so close to my lashes and eyes.
Drugstore brand I’d try instead:Organic Wear Physicians Formula mascara, $9.99 at Ulta.
Think Dirty rating: 3
Lip Balm
I don’t often wear lipstick; tinted balms are more my speed.
I’ve been using Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm ($6.29 at Target), but because it’s relatively new, it’s not yet in the Think Dirty database. Another Neutrogena balm in the app is rated a 1, though, which gave me some reassurance. (Ratings can vary significantly across a brand’s products.)
I’ve also been eyeing Burt’s Bees tinted balms and saw they score a 3 in the app, so I’ll likely pick one up when my current tube runs out.
Drugstore brand I’d try instead:Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm, $4.79 at Target.
Think Dirty rating: 3
Be a Smart Shopper
Like most things, beauty care benefits from balance.
If you want to splurge a bit to keep your skin in great shape, go for it.
If you prefer to stick with wallet-friendly drugstore finds, that’s perfectly valid, too.
There are also midrange brands that aim to offer better-for-you, natural ingredients at more accessible prices — though they can have drawbacks. (I haven’t even touched on which brands are vegan or cruelty-free here.)
That’s why it’s important to do your homework and decide based on the facts you uncover.
Not every product will appear in the Think Dirty app yet — as with my lip balm — but you can submit items for review. If you’re curious how a favorite product scores, scan it and send it in.
If you want to explore affordable alternatives, check out this best drugstore foundation guide for options that may fit your budget and ingredient preferences.
Maria Alvarez is a freelance beauty writer at Savinly.
