Listen and follow The Wirecutter ShowApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadioTrader Joe's is beloved for its quirky snacks and frozen meals, but its beauty aisle has quietly become a hotspot for budget-friendly skincare and viral "dupes". This week, beauty writer Neha Tandon shares the results of her extensive hands-on testing of Trader Joe’s moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens. She reveals which $10-and-under products are high-performing gems and which popular items missed the mark.This episode coversThe $4 Holy Grail: Why the Rose Facial Toner is a highly versatile, multi-use must-have for refreshing skin, setting makeup, and even reviving curly hair. A $7 designer "dupe": How the single-ingredient Marula Facial Oil performs just as beautifully as luxury versions costing six times as much. The absolute misses: Why Neha suggests skipping the "Pine-Sol-esque" tea tree oil cleansing pads and the snotty-textured Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum. Better alternatives: Superior options for exfoliating pads and vitamin C serums if you want to upgrade your skincare routine.Products we recommendAn all-over refresher Trader Joe’s Rose Water Facial TonerTrader Joe’s Rose Water Facial TonerThis rose-water spray can be used as a toner, a setting spray, and a curl refresher — among many other things. But people with sensitive skin should beware.Buying options: $4 from Trader Joe's, opens in a new tabin-store purchase onlyA hydrating oil for any skin or hair type Trader Joe’s Marula Facial OilTrader Joe’s Marula Facial OilPackaged in a lavish-looking glass bottle, this versatile oil can be used by practically anyone on the hair, the face, and even the body.Buying options: $7 from Trader Joe's, opens in a new tabin-store purchase onlyA luxury-level ingredients list Trader Joe’s Retinol Night SerumTrader Joe’s Retinol Night SerumTesters loved this uniquely slick serum, which absorbed quickly into the skin. It has a low retinol percentage, so it should be suitable for retinol beginners and those with sensitive skin.Buying options: $10 from Trader Joe's, opens in a new tabin-store purchase onlyIf makeup primer and sunscreen had a baby Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40In brand-concealed testing for our sunscreen guide, panelists overwhelmingly favored this smooth-finish sunscreen — even over pricier options.Buying options: $9 from Trader Joe's, opens in a new tab(1.7 ounces)in-store purchase onlyBetter than Trader Joe’s hydrating serum Timeless Skin Care 20% C + E Ferulic Acid SerumTimeless Skin Care 20% C + E Ferulic Acid SerumThe little yellow bottle pumps out a tingly serum powered by fast-acting L-ascorbic acid. The sticky residue requires a little time to dissipate. We think it’s worth the splurge over the snottier-textured Trader Joe’s version.Buying options: DEAL, original price $76, sale price $48 from Timeless Skin Care, opens in a new tabUse promo code BDAY50, price includes $10 shipping (4 ounces)$26 from Amazon, opens in a new tab(1 ounce)$26 from Walmart, opens in a new tab(1 ounce)$76 from Nordstrom, opens in a new tab(4 ounces)Better than Trader’s Joe’s Natural Facial Cleansing Pads Pacifica Glow Baby Brightening Peel PadsPacifica Glow Baby Brightening Peel PadsPowered by an effective AHA/BHA blend, these affordable pre-moistened rounds have texture on one side to boost the exfoliating effects. Although they come in a recyclable jar, the pads are single-use. We think they're worth the splurge over the harsher Trader Joe’s version.Buying options: $16 from Amazon, opens in a new tab$16 from Pacifica Beauty, opens in a new tab