I did a Dollar Tree skincare haul – I got two Cetaphil dupes for $2.50 and a serum I like better than The Ordinary’s

BACK in my day, drugstore makeup used to be a champion of the inexperienced and the broke.

Now, it seems that the real bargain hunters have headed for Dollar Tree.

I picked up a skincare haul at Dollar Tree, including two Cetaphil dupes and dupe for a serum by The OrdinaryCredit: The U.S. Sun

For $6.25, I was able to grab 2 face washes, a lotion, a multi-vitamin serum, and an eye creamCredit: The U.S. Sun

In high school, I found a happy compromise in my ever-growing obsession with Get Ready with Me makeup tutorials and YouTube videos shopping at places like Duane Reade and CVS.

I remember my first ever E.l.f. order was chock full of $1 lip stains and powders that I would use once, twice, thrice, if I was lucky, and then never touch again.

Now, affordable brands like E.l.f. have become staples in my beauty routine, from primers to blushes to brushes, but while the quality has soared, so have prices.

One-dollar lippies are $1 no more and despite the steeper price tags, it's not like drugstore beauty rack up credit card debt like a trip to Sephora — yet.

Still, frugal shoppers such as myself are always keeping an eye out for a good deal, which is why many, influencers and non-influencers alike, have found themselves at Dollar Tree, where everything is $1.25.

TikTokers have flooded the platform with rave reviews about $1 blushes, foundations, lashes, serums, and powders that have performed way beyond their expectations.

Thanks to a little FOMO, I headed to my local Dollar Tree and picked up two face washes, an eye cream, a facial serum, and a lotion for just $6.25.

Each product boasted superstar ingredients that I was surprised to see in stuff that was a little over a buck each, like avocado oil, tea tree, and collagen.

After a week of trial and use, I was pleasantly surprised to find that none of the skincare broke me out or caused any irritation but as everyone has different skin needs, your mileage may vary.

Skin Nutrition Botanicals Tea Tree Oil + Salicylic Acid Balancing Face Wash

Right off the bat, this face wash had my attention due to its ingredients list and straightforward label.

Not only did it contain hyaluronic acid, tea tree, and salicylic acid — a great combo for oily and acne-prone skin — but also it was oil-free, fragrance-free, sulfate-free, and paraben-free.

A tea tree oil face wash was better suited for oily, acne-prone skin while the Cetaphil dupe was better for dry skin typesCredit: The U.S. Sun

The gel tea tree face wash didn't strip my skin and cleansed wellCredit: The U.S. Sun

Using it, I was pleasantly surprised by its thick gel consistency and extremely light foam that left my skin feeling cleansed but unfortunately, a bit tight.

B-Pure Gentle Skin Cleanser

A dupe for the popular $14 Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, this face wash contains glycerin and is both paraben and fragrance-free for dry and sensitive skin.

Like the Tea Tree cleanser, the B-Pure had very little foam, if any at all.

As someone who had gone through an entire bottle of the real thing in the past, I found that it was spot-on for the Cetaphil cleanser and even left my skin feeling hydrated and not stripped.

I found that the Cetaphil dupe was spot-on for the real thingCredit: The U.S. Sun

B-Pure Moisturizing Lotion

Another dupe for the popular $26 Cetaphil moisturizer, the paraben-free B-Pure lotion contains avocado oil and essential vitamins E and B5 for dry to normal sensitive skin.

Applying the lotion post-shower, I found that it sunk into the skin quickly for a non-greasy and lightweight layer of moisture.

I didn't believe it was hydrating enough to use on the face, especially in the winter, but those with oilier skin may want to give it a try.

A dupe for the Cetaphil moisturizing lotion sunk quickly into my skinCredit: The U.S. Sun

Global Beauty Care Multi-Vitamin Serum

When I first started with skincare, I was a big fan of The Ordinary's skincare line because of its straightforward formulations and student-friendly prices.

This serum reminded me of the $6 TO's Niacinamide 10%, although there were a few major differences.

While it did have niacinamide along with vitamins B, C, and E, skincare junkies might find it displeasing to not know exactly how much niacinamide is in it, compared to TO's transparency.

An issue I used to take up with The Ordinary's version before ditching it completely was how tacky the serum was, leading to pilling underneath other skincare and makeup.

The Global Beauty Care, however, reminded me of aloe and sunk into the skin without any issues.