The 14 Best Over the Counter Skincare Products

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Everyone can agree that over the counter skincare products are more convenient and also tend to be less expensive than prescriptions. Obtaining a prescription includes multiple steps. It includes: scheduling an appointment, waiting however many days or weeks for the appointment, paying a copay for said appointment, waiting to see the provider, waiting for the prescription to be filled, and lastly paying for the prescription.

When I was working as a medical assistant years before physician assistant school I recognized a trend in over the counter products that were being recommended by the medical providers. I started using some of these over the counter skincare products myself or recommending them to my family or friends when they asked for recommendations. Once I became a physician assistant I found myself recommending the same products as well as new ones I had been introduced to during my training.

Sometimes a prescription is necessary to achieve desired results such as in the case of someone with severe cystic acne. Other times over the counter treatments can work just as well especially if someone’s skin condition is considered mild. To help people save time and money I have accumulated a list of the best over the counter skincare products I find myself frequently recommending as well as their uses. Typically they have more than one use which is why I recommend them so frequently. Ready to learn more? Let’s dive in!

Vaseline

Easily the MOST recommended over the counter product is plain ol’ Vaseline or pure petroleum jelly. There are SO many uses for this versatile product. Anywhere from chapped lips, to treating post-surgical sites. I love Vaseline because I have never met anyone truly allergic to pure petroleum jelly (although as soon as I post this I’m sure someone will claim to be one of those rare individuals).

The most common reasons I recommend this product are for moisturizing the skin, especially with my eczema patients, for chapped lips that can occur, especially with the use of Accutane, a barrier cream for people experiencing chafed skin, and as already mentioned for my patients following biopsies or other minor procedures that don’t quite need an antibiotic ointment.

Nizarol

Nizarol is a great anti-dandruff shampoo. It is Ketoconazole 1%. The prescription strength is Ketoconazole 2%. Anti-dandruff shampoos can be used for more than just dandruff. You can use it as a body wash for fungal infections! This includes ringworm or athlete’s foot. Women who sweat a lot may also start to notice a rash under their breasts, it’s also great for that. I recommend lathering it on 2-3 times a week and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.

Amlactin

Amlacitn is a moisturizer with a mild acid called lactic acid that helps soften thick or rough skin. I commonly recommend it to my patients who have keratosis pilaris. This is a condition typically found in children on their upper arms or legs. Amlactin can also help with dry skin that isn’t responding to other moisturizers. It can also be particularly helpful for thick dry skin on the heels of your feet.

Elta MD UV Clear

I have already mentioned this product in several other posts. It is a sunscreen that I have personally been using religiously for YEARS. It is great for acne-prone or rosacea-prone skin. I am acne-prone and this sunscreen has never broken me out. It is a physical blocker with zinc oxide as its main ingredient. The best part about it is there is a tinted version and I swear it feels like I am putting makeup on. My face looks more bronzed following the application of this sunscreen instead of that thick white paste people think about when they hear zinc oxide.

Nutrafol

Nutrafol is an over the counter hair loss vitamin. While it is more on the expensive side I feel like it’s worth the cost. There are different formulations and depending on your age and gender you should be able to figure out which one is right for you by taking the Nutrafol quiz online. I recommend Nutrafol for certain types of hair loss. If you have a form of hormonal-related hair loss also known as androgenic alopecia or female or male-patterned hair loss then this vitamin may be a good addition to your daily routine. The best part about it is there is clinical research that proves this vitamin has what it takes to grow your hair, or at the very least to decrease shedding.

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Sarna Lotion

Sarna lotion is an anti-itch lotion that has ingredients like menthol in it. It is my favorite lotion for itchy skin that doesn’t require a topical steroid or other prescription-strength medication. There is a skin condition that I see more commonly in middle-aged and elderly females called notalgia paresthetica which causes people to have an itchy back typically on one shoulder blade. This condition can cause people to scratch so much that they discolor their backs. It is a nerve condition and not a true skin condition. The menthol in the lotion creates a cooling sensation when applied to the skin and distracts the brain from thinking there is an itch there. My patients love it!

CeraVe or Cetaphil Cleanser

My two favorite gentle cleansers are Cetaphil and CeraVe. I have personally been using both of these brands for years. When you start applying all of these other lotions and serums to your face it’s nice to have a simple cleanser that is not going to add any unnecessary irritation. Cetaphil and CeraVe are trusted brands and even my patients with super sensitive skin rarely have problems. If you don’t like either, another good gentle cleanser to try is Vanicream.

Clotrimazole Cream

Clotrimazole cream is found in the athlete’s foot aisle. It is an antifungal cream that typically takes care of most fungal rashes. By combining it with Nizarol you may never need to see a medical provider for your recurrent fungal rash ever again. Clotrimazole can help with dandruff of the face, ringworm, athlete’s foot, intertrigo, etc. A typical period you would need to apply it to your rash before you decide it’s not working is twice daily for 6-8 weeks. If the rash still hasn’t gone away then it may be time to get a prescription-strength medication.

Differin Adapalene Gel

In my opinion, one of the best over the counter skincare products out there is Adapalene. Adapalene is a topical medication that used to be only available as a prescription, but it went over the counter several years ago. It is more commonly used for acne but can also help with fine lines, wrinkles, mild scarring, and pigmentation changes. Adapalene is a retinoid vitamin A analogue that helps turn skin cells over quickly. It can dry the skin out so I would always start with using a pea-sized amount every other night and then only working up to nightly as tolerated. Make sure to moisturize after. You can expect to see improvement after you have used it consistently for about 3 months.

Scalpicin

Scalpicin is hydrocortisone 1% but in a solution form. This means you can get it into your scalp easily. So if you have an itchy scalp for any reason this is a great medication. Most people have itchy scalps because they have either seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff), or psoriasis, or are experiencing an allergic reaction. Even though it is considered a mild topical steroid you still want to use it sparingly. Topical steroids over time can thin the skin. If you use it twice daily for a few weeks and you’re still not having improvement then it may be time to make an appointment.

Sulfo Lo Soap

Sulfo lo is a gentle sulfur-based soap. Since it is antibacterial it is great for patients with either acne or rosacea. It may make you feel more clean than the gentle cleansers mentioned above. It can also help someone with folliculitis or irritated hair follicles. This could be from shaving or other forms of hair removal that cause little red acne-like bumps on your arms, legs, beard, or groin area.

Zeasorb Powder

Zeasorb is a drying powder and is useful for people who tend to sweat a lot especially those that have recurrent fungal rashes. If you sweat a lot in your underarms, under your breasts, or in the groin area, you can take some of this powder and apply it throughout the day. It will do what the name implies, absorb your sweat and hopefully prevent or treat your fungal rash.

PanOxyl

PanOxyl is another antibacterial wash. It is benzoyl peroxide 10%. Unlike sulfo lo, PanOxyl tends to be a little stronger and some patients may experience irritation. I like it for my patients with truncal acne i.e. chest, shoulders, back, or buttocks. This is especially common in patients who are athletes. Benzoyl peroxide can bleach clothing, sheets, and towels so make sure to dry off with a white towel! It is also beneficial for people who believe their sweat is particularly smelly.

Vicks VapoRub

Last but not least, good ol’ Vicks. Vicks believe it or not has been proven to help with…. Wait for it…. Toenail fungus! Kinda crazy right? If you think you have toenail fungus, go ahead and apply this product on clean nails and around the nail bed daily for up to 12 months (I know it’s a long time) and see if it works for you. The oral treatment for nail fungus includes oral antifungals which can be pretty harsh on the liver. So it’s not typically a great treatment option for patients, but there isn’t much of a risk with trying Vicks VapoRub.

Related: How to Treat Nail Fungus

Conclusion on the Best Over the Counter Skincare Products

There are a ton of great products out there that are inexpensive and can treat skin conditions rather well. These 14 are some of the best over the counter skincare products I have found after working in the field of dermatology for over 5 years. If you have used any of the above-mentioned products and have seen good results, comment below and let us know which one you used and what it was for!

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer. Information on this website is for education and entertainment purposes only. Content is my opinion. It is not substituted for your own doctor’s medical care or advice. One should not make any health or medical-related decisions based in whole or in part on any content on this site. Content is not intended to replace the services of a licensed, trained health professional. Content may not apply to you as an individual. Although I will update my website with current information, this website is not a definitive guide to dermatology.