I live across the street from a CVS, so I'm in there almost every other day grabbing something or other. The other day in the skincare aisle, something caught my eye that I had never seen...a box of retinol wipes from Skin+Pharmacy. Turns out that they have their own in house brand of skincare. Who knew!

There is a wide array of offerings, even an acne kit. I picked a few items to get an idea of what they are all about. The prices are very affordable, and while it seems they aren't creating new innovative formulas, they are using tried and true ingredients commonly found in more many brands. The packaging leaves a lot to be desired, but if you can get past that there are some good items worth checking out, especially if you're on a budget.

RESTORING RETINOL TREATMENT WIPES

Price: $14.99 for 20 pads
Packaging: These are 20 individually packaged pads.The wipe is a rectangle shape saturated in solution. Its large and saturated enough to do your face, neck, chest, and hands.
Texture & Smell: No scent, takes about 5 min to fully absorb.
Best for: Any skin type, great for skin new to retinols because of the amount of retinol (.15%)
How to use: Night only. Swipe onto clean skin, let dry. Proceed with serums/hydrating products. I recommend using retinols only 2 to 4 times a week but the amount of this is low enough to use nightly. However adjust your skin to it first before using every night. This is a starter retinol because of the low strength.
Pros: This is an affordable way to add retinol to your routine a few nights a week. Well rounded formula with humectants, antioxidants, and skin soothing ingredients. CVS has a generous return policy if you didnt love.
Cons: Theres one pad per packet, so this ends up being a lot of wasteful packaging. Good for travel I suppose! Only available at CVS stores or CVS online (us shipping only)
Full Ingredient list: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ribose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Bisabolol, Ascorbic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Squalane, Retinol, Caffeine, Methyl Methacrylate/ Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, Propyl Gallate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin.

GLYCOLIC PEEL PADS

Price: $19.99 for 20 pads
Packaging: These are 20 individually packaged pads. The wipe is a rectangle shape saturated in solution. Its large and saturated enough to do your face, neck, chest, and hands.
Texture & Smell: No scent, takes about 5 min to fully absorb.
Best for: All skin types except very sensitive should use with caution. Acids can be an ideal way to exfoliate a few times a week but test on a small area first.
How to use: Night only. Swipe onto clean skin, let dry. Proceed with serums/hydrating products. I recommend using acids only 3 to 4 times per week. For rough textured areas, can be used nightly until desired results.
Pros: This is an 8% glycolic, an ideal amount. Also contains a humectant and some skin soothing ingredients. I tested the pH to be around 3.2
Cons: Theres one pad per packet, so this ends up being a lot of wasteful packaging. Only available at CVS stores or CVS online (us shipping only). Witch hazel and orange flower water could be mildly irritating for some.
Full Ingredient list: Water, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Water, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

RETINOL EYE CREAM

Price: $21.99 for .5oz
Packaging: Opaque white plastic qqueeze tube with screw off cap.
Texture & Smell: No scent, creamy, soaks in fast, satin finish.
Best for: Any skin type wanting improvement in fine lines, texture, or tone under the eyes. Products can help discoloration due to pigmentation but not help discoloration due to veins.
How to use: Night only, after cleansing/toning. The amount of retinol is low enough to use nightly, but get your skin used to this first by only using every other night.
Pros: Price, Hydrating formula with some antioxidants and.15% retinol.
Cons: May have mild sensitivity the first few times you use, just like with most retinols. Only available at CVS stores or CVS online (us shipping only).
Full Ingredient list: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, DEA Cetyl Phosphate, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Phytonadione, Stearic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Retinol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Bisabolol,Cyclopentasiloxane, Triethanolamine, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, PEG-10 Soy Sterol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, BHT, Propyl Gallate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol

INTENSIVE BRIGHTENING LOTION

Price: $21.99 for 1oz
Packaging: Opaque silver hard bottle (possibly glass?) with white pump and clear plastic cap
Texture & Smell: No scent, light lotion texture, stays slightly moist for about 3 min.
Best for: Normal to dry skin looking for a retinol based brightening for mild pigmentation, will even out skin tone.
How to use: Night only. Use after cleansing and toning, can apply richer moisture over if needed.
Pros: Price. Great formula with .15% retinol, kojic acid, and a few antioxidants.
Cons: Only available at CVS stores or CVS online (us shipping only).
Full Ingredient list: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Ceteary Alcohol, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, PEG-100 Stearate, cetyl Ricinoleate, Cetyl Alcohol , Dimenthicone, Polysorbate 60, Cetyl Phosphate, Benzyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Kojic Dipalmitate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl palmitate, Retinol, Bisabolol, PEg-10 Soy Sterol, Polysorbate 20, Methl Methacrylayte/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer , BHT, Disodium EDTA, Trithanolamine , Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Propyl Gallate