21 Super Affordable, Ridiculously Good Beauty Products from Trader Joe's - Updated for 2024! - I Spy Fabulous (2024)

I’m a huge fan of Trader Joe’s. I love the small, curated collection of goodies, fresh produce, beauty products and more – many of them only available at TJ. My kids love the mini carts and the kind, family-friendly service.

And, since I am a busy mom, I am always looking for ways to consolidate errands – which is why I started buying beauty products at Trader Joe’s.

What I learned was surprising. Trader Joe’s super affordable beauty products are ridiculously good.

What Beauty Products You Should Grab at TJ’s:

While each store carries slightly different inventory and you can’t buy these online (at least not for a reasonable price), I’m going to share with you some of the products you can look for at your local Trader Joe’s.

And, I bet you’ll find a bunch of other great products not even on this list. In fact, I’ll keep adding more as I find them, so be sure to check back for updates.

For some of these products, I’m suggesting some alternates available on Amazon for those of you not close to a store. These ones are affiliate links, but the Trader Joe products are not. I don’t recommend buying TJ products online because of the mark-up.

Let’s get shoppin’! Here’s a quick video overview of some of the products and feel free to read down below for more explanation and alternatives if you’re not near a TJ:

1. Trader Joe’s Hand Lotion

Blown away by this. Blown away. Wish I had found this years ago. After all these years, I’ve tried so many and none of them have been that holy grail hand lotion – until I tried this one.

A generous size for about $5, with a light essential oil fragrance and super emollients, like shea butter, hemp seed oil, coconut oil, etc. – and none of the junk you don’t need. The scents sometimes change, for example I recently got one that also has rose oil and it’s my most favorite one yet.

Grab this and don’t even think twice.

2. Trader Joe’s Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer

This gel moisturizer is loaded with my favorite ingredient for moisture and plumping: hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid works by increasing your skin’s ability to hold moisture, giving it a temporary plumping as well as a nice moisturizing quality. Plus, it adds aloe vera and green tea extract for more skin boosts.

This gel moisturizer is light enough for oily skin, perfect for summer, great for any skin types – safe for acne-prone skin, and will give you a nice plump.

Buy it.

If you’re not near a TJ’s, check out this similar one from Honest Beauty. Love this one, too.

3. Trader Joe’s Rose Oil

Face oils can be pricey, but they don’t have to be. The reason they’re so popular is because they work. They are super hydrating and leave your skin glowing. But, if you have acne-prone skin, be careful. Some of them can clog pores and break you out.

Not this one. Super affordable, super effective. Yes.

Here’s an alternative with over 12,000 great reviews – also affordable, also clean. But, if you live near a TJ’s, why spend more for the same thing?

4. Trader Joe’s Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Hair Mask

We all know how expensive a good hair mask can be. And, during the summer when you’re putting your hair through the ringer with heat, chlorinated pools, and maybe bleaching to lighten, it’s time to really show your locks some TLC.

This one has all the right emollients to hydrate and restore your hair, with no overwhelming fragrances or toxic chemicals, and it’s under $5.

Yes, that wasn’t a typo. It’s $3.99. Any more questions?

Or, here’s a hair mask touted to be absolutely amazing, available on Amazon.

5. Trader Joe’s Blueberry & Acai Facial Scrub

Facial scrubs are another useful exfoliant that can get pricey. The cheap ones use harsh granules that can actually damage the top layer of skin, while the good ones can get ridiculously overpriced.

Not anymore. This one is chock full of powerful free radical fighters and antioxidants that are so good for your skin and body, plus it’s gentle enough to not irritate sensitive skin.

Another super big win from Trader Joe’s beauty department. And, I have noticed that the ingredients in these facial scrubs change seasonally. I just picked up a delicious smelling pumpkin version for fall.

No TJ’s? No problem. Try this award-winning one by Acure.

6. Trader Joe’s 100% Organic Argan Oil

I’ve seen 100% organic argan oil go for upwards of $50, I’m not even kidding you. Get the exact same thing here for less than $10 bucks. It’s actually $6.99, folks.

Argan oil can serve so many purposes, such as:

• Hydrating ends of hair
• Using as a hair mask
• Using on skin for moisture
• Using on body during dry seasons
• Using on nails like a cuticle oil

And for this price and quality, it’s really a no-brainer. Here’s an argan oil on Amazon that has great reviews.

7. Tom’s Natural Deodorant

This one isn’t a TJ brand, but Tom’s is another great clean line. This aluminum-free deodorant is a great, clean option to control the stink.

If you haven’t already read up on the dangers of aluminum in anti-perspirants, you should take a look.

When you first start using natural deos, your body will go through a yucky detox process that will take a little time (maybe a week or two max) and then you’ll settle in to your new routine.

Deodorants will not control sweat like an anti-perspirant, but you don’t really want to plug sweat glands. They are designed to detoxify the body and get out the contaminants we don’t want swimming around inside our body. Plus, if you have an autoimmune disease like I do, you need to get all those toxins out.

So, embrace a little bit of sweat and go with natural deo. Your body and health will thank you.

8. Trader Joe’s Honey Mango Shave Cream

This is such a great, clean shaving cream. Smells like Hawaii, is super moisturizing, honey prevents from infections from razors, and mango hydrates.

Win. Win. Win. Win.

And, since it’s a product that is just on your skin for a few minutes and then gets washed right down the drain, why spend a fortune on it? I’ve bought shaving creams over the years that have been close to $20. What a waste! This one is under $5 and will do the exact same thing. In fact, you might even like this one more.

Or, this similar one by Alba’s can be primed straight to your door. Oh yes.

9. Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Body Wash

I actually just used up my bottle of this. It’s a light body wash scented with essential oils that have a nice sinus clearing quality – in a good way. It’s also very soothing if you have a cold or sinus infection.

It’s not very moisturizing, so if you have dry skin, I would get something with more moisturizing properties. But, it’s a great body wash otherwise. My husband absolutely loves this one, too.

10. Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo & Conditioner

The Tea Tree Tingle line continues with shampoo and conditioner.

I first used this at a friend’s house when she had it in a guest shower. I couldn’t believe it was from Trader Joe’s. It really reminds me of the minty Aveda line.

You can get both shamp and conditioner for under $20 – which makes this one of the most effective, affordable, clean beauty shampoo and conditioner options out there.

Now, this one is not the most moisturizing choice if you have dry, damaged, or frizzy hair.

If you’re looking for a shampoo that specifically addresses frizzy hair – check out my post on the best shampoos for smoothing hair here.

And, here is another post on the best drugstore hair products of 2019 for more affordable options.

11. Trader Joe’s Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Hair Serum

Alright, this one is amazing. I started following this hair guru girl on Instagram in the hopes that she could help me restore my dry, damaged hair from years of color treating it. And, one thing she talked about all the time was using a hair oil at night before you wash your hair in the morning. I tried the one she recommends, but it has a strong fragrance and made my pillowcase feel damp and goopy.

However, when I found this one at TJ’s, I decided to grab it and started using it. It’s even more affordable then the one she recommends and it worked much better for my hair. So, if you’re looking for a hair oil to use before washing your hair, check this one out.

12. Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen

Calling all Supergoop lovers! This is so close to the Supergoop invisible sunscreen, you will not be able to believe it. I stocked up on these this summer and I’m so glad I did. Everybody in the house loves this one and if you’ve ever tried putting face sunscreen on three kids every day, you know the challenge of that. Nobody complains about this one, which makes me very, very happy.

It’s oil free, fragrance free, water and sweat resistant, and a super soft, invisible gel formula that soaks right in. Don’t hesitate if you see this one. Just buy it.

13. Trader Joe’s Fragrance Free Body Butter

Finding super moisturizing, fragrance free body butters or lotions is difficult, but TJ’s nails it with this one right here. Well under $10 and soaks right into your skin. Packed with great ingredients that love your skin, like shea butter,squalane (a plant-derived emollient that helps moisturize and repair dry skin), and baobab oil (derived from the seeds of that iconic African tree, also helpful in moisturizing and preventing water loss), you would never guess this body butter is so affordable.

14. Trader Joe’s Seasonal Body Butter

I was so excited to pick up this shimmering Candy Cane scented body butter. It’s so incredibly moisturizing, while also feeling amazing on your skin without leaving greasy residue. The GOAT body butter, in my opinion.

15. Trader Joe’s Retinol Night Serum

This is another new find and I am loving it. I’ve been training my skin to tolerate retinol and this has a good percentage while still being really gentle on sensitive skin. I do not use retinol every day, but I like to incorporate it into my routine weekly. The baobab seed oil is also very moisturizing.

16. Trader Joe’s 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar

This is my first time seeing this one, too, and I was very excited to get an advent calendar for myself. The minis inside of it are really great. There are some products I know and love and also quite a few new ones I’ve never tried and can’t wait to check out.

Here’s a video I posted on my Instagram of the unboxing:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Erica | I Spy Fabulous (@ispyfabulous)

17. Trader Joe’s Lip Balm & Overnight Lip Mask

I’ve never seen this little set before and I am loving it. The gummy bear flavor is light and not overpowering. I keep the lip balm in my car so I always have something for my lips, which get quite dry in the winter. The overnight lip mask I keep at home. They come in the absolute cutest little package that is designed for stocking stuffers.

I am really hoping they keep making sets like this, because I absolutely love them.

18. Trader Joe’s Supreme Hydrating Eye Cream:

I was actually running low on eye cream when I found this. I’ve been having dry skin issues thanks to the change in weather and so collagen, COQ10 and other hydrators were definitely what I was looking for.

This is nice and creamy and great for sensitive skin. I can’t say I see a humongous difference, but I’ve definitely used worse. For the price, I think it’s a solid eye cream.

19. Trader Joe’s Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum:

I’m a huge fan of hyaluronic acid and was very excited to see this at Trader Joe’s. It’s a great consistency and easy to apply. It dries nicely without being sticky and wears well underneath moisturizers for day or night.

Hyaluronic acid helps our skin retain moisture, so it really helps with plumping, hydration and giving a more dewy, moisturized complexion. Big fan of this one and definitely recommend.

20. Trader Joe’s Toothpaste:

I grabbed this on a whim, even though I’m not usually a fan of toothpaste with baking soda, but this is really nice. It reminds me of much more expensive toothpastes by brands like David’s. I like that it has cleaner ingredients, too. It’s shocking some of the ingredients that go into toothpaste.

I’m a big fan of good oral health especially since I have Sjogren’s, an autoimmune disease that causes dry mouth, dry eyes, and many other symptoms. If you struggle with cavities or dry mouth (or even Sjogren’s), check out this post for more tips.

21. Trader Joe’s Set of 3 Hand Creams

This set of 3 hand creams also comes in a great, giftable box. Would be perfect for teachers with an added gift card, because they wash their hands so many times a day and they get really dry. I know from firsthand experience, ha!

I love the smaller size of these, too. I have tucked them all over, in my small handbags, in my laptop bag, in my desk, you name it!

*****

I love clean beauty. Anytime I can combine clean and effective products, I am all in. Trader Joe’s makes it so easy to do your shopping for food and beauty at the same time.

Plus, they routinely get new products and sets that continue the amazing line-up. In fact, I heard a rumor that some TJ’s have a face mask set. Considering how expensive these can be, I cannot wait to find them at my local store.

If you don’t live near a Trader Joe’s, check out my post on my favorite clean beauty products at your local drugstore for under $20.

Have you tried beauty products at Trader Joe’s? Tell us your favorite in the comments below.

Have a fabulous day

E