Amazon’s Holiday Beauty Event is back, and it runs from October 19 to November 1. It’s one of the best times of the year to stock up on the skincare you already love (or finally try that serum you’ve been eyeing) before the holiday rush.
Amazon says shoppers can save up to 30% on thousands of beauty products across the event, with rotating 48-hour flash deals reaching up to 40% off on select categories, including skincare.
Below we explain how the event works, share a simple plan for shopping it on a budget, and list the drugstore staples we’d check first. We’re not listing prices or discounts for individual products because deals change daily, sometimes hourly. Click through to see what each product costs right now.
Browse the Holiday Beauty Event on Amazon
What is Amazon’s Holiday Beauty Event?
It’s an annual two-week beauty sale on Amazon, now in its sixth year. Deals cover skincare, makeup, hair care, fragrance and grooming, from drugstore brands up to luxury names.
- Dates: October 19 through November 1.
- Savings: up to 30% off across the event, and up to 40% off during category flash deals, according to Amazon.
- Rotating flash deals: on top of the event-wide deals, Amazon runs 48-hour flash deals on specific categories throughout the event, and these tend to be the deepest discounts. If you see one on something you use, don’t wait.
- Gift sets: it’s also a good time to pick up skincare gift sets for the holidays.
Not every product is discounted, and the deals on a given item can come and go. That’s why it pays to have a short list ready before you shop.
How to shop the sale on a budget
- Restock first, experiment second. The best savings are on products you use every day: cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Buying a backup of these is a guaranteed win.
- Know your skin type. A “deal” on the wrong product isn’t a deal. Not sure what you have? Read our guide on how to find your skin type.
- Compare the unit price. Big sizes and multi-packs are often the better value, but check the price per ounce rather than the headline number.
- Watch the flash deals. Check back every couple of days, since categories rotate.
- Buy only from trusted sellers. Look for listings sold by Amazon or the brand’s official store to avoid fakes or old stock.
- Don’t overbuy actives. Serums with vitamin C or retinol don’t last forever once opened. Buy what you’ll use in the next six months or so.
Our budget skincare shortlist at a glance
These are reliable, affordable favorites we’ve covered on the site. Check each listing to see if it’s part of the event while you shop.
| Product | Best for | Key ingredients | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser | Gentle daily cleanser | Ceramides, hyaluronic acid | See on Amazon |
| CeraVe Moisturizing Cream | Dry or barrier-damaged skin | Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, petrolatum | See on Amazon |
| Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel | Oily or combination skin | Hyaluronic acid | See on Amazon |
| COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence | Hydration and glow | 96% snail secretion filtrate | See on Amazon |
| The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | Oil control and pores | Niacinamide, zinc PCA | See on Amazon |
| TruSkin Vitamin C Serum | Brightening for beginners | Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E | See on Amazon |
| Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer | Easy first retinol | Retinoid complex, niacinamide | See on Amazon |
| La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk SPF 60 | Daily sunscreen | Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB filters | See on Amazon |
The products we’d check first
1. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser: Best everyday cleanser
A gentle, non-foaming cleanser that works for most skin types, especially normal to dry. It’s the kind of product you go through quickly, which makes it a smart thing to stock up on during a sale. See how it compares in our CeraVe vs Cetaphil cleanser comparison.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid
Pros
- Fragrance-free and gentle
- Doesn’t leave skin tight
- Large pump bottles last a long time
Cons
- Not great at removing heavy makeup or sunscreen on its own
2. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: Best for dry skin
The cult-favorite tub that dermatologists recommend again and again. It’s rich, fragrance-free and great for winter, when skin tends to get drier. Read our full CeraVe Moisturizing Cream review or see more options in the best moisturizers for dry skin.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, petrolatum
Pros
- Excellent value in the large tub
- Can be used on face and body
- Suits sensitive skin
Cons
- Too heavy for some oily skin types
3. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel: Best for oily or combination skin
A light, bouncy gel moisturizer that hydrates without feeling greasy. If your skin gets shiny by midday, this is a good pick. For more ideas, see the best moisturizers for oily skin and for combination skin.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
Pros
- Lightweight gel texture
- Absorbs quickly
- Works well under makeup
Cons
- The original version contains fragrance (a fragrance-free version is available)
4. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence: Best K-beauty pick
One of Amazon’s best-selling skincare products. This watery essence adds a layer of hydration and helps skin look plumper and more even. It’s gentle enough for most skin types.
Key ingredients: 96% snail secretion filtrate
Pros
- Very hydrating without heaviness
- Layers easily under moisturizer
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Not suitable if you avoid animal-derived ingredients
- Slightly slimy texture takes getting used to
5. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: Best for oil and pores
Already very affordable, which makes it an easy add-on to your cart. Niacinamide helps balance oil and makes pores look smaller over time. Find out how it performed in our The Ordinary Niacinamide review.
Key ingredients: Niacinamide 10%, zinc PCA 1%
Pros
- Low cost per bottle
- Helps with oiliness and blemish marks
- Works morning or night
Cons
- Can pill under some products if you use too much
- High concentration may irritate very sensitive skin
6. TruSkin Vitamin C Serum: Best for brightening
A gentle, beginner-friendly vitamin C serum for dullness and dark spots. Use it in the morning under sunscreen. See more options in the best vitamin C serums under $30.
Key ingredients: Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
Pros
- Gentle form of vitamin C
- Hydrating
- Very popular and easy to find
Cons
- Contains botanical extracts that may bother some people
- Results are slower than stronger formulas
7. Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer: Best first retinol
A moisturizer and retinoid in one step, which makes it an easy way to start using retinol at night. It’s a good pick if you want to target fine lines without a complicated routine. Compare it with serums in the best drugstore retinol serums.
Key ingredients: Retinoid complex, niacinamide
Pros
- Two steps in one
- Gentler than many retinol serums
- Fragrance-free version available
Cons
- Jar packaging
- Start slowly, a few nights a week, to avoid irritation
8. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk SPF 60: Best sunscreen to stock up on
Sunscreen is the one product everyone should use daily, all year round, so it’s worth buying a backup when it’s on sale. This one is a reliable, broad-spectrum favorite. See how it stacks up in La Roche-Posay Anthelios vs Neutrogena, or browse sunscreens for sensitive skin.
Key ingredients: Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB filters
Pros
- High SPF and broad-spectrum protection
- Works for face and body
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Pricier than most drugstore sunscreens when not on sale
- Can feel a bit rich on very oily skin
Build a simple routine from the sale
If you’re starting from scratch, you only need three products: a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer for your skin type, and a daily sunscreen. Add one treatment serum (like vitamin C in the morning or a retinoid at night) once your skin is used to the basics. Our simple skincare routine for beginners walks you through it step by step.
Want to treat yourself without paying luxury prices? Check our Drunk Elephant dupes on Amazon and La Mer dupes before you splurge.
FAQs
When is Amazon’s Holiday Beauty Event?
It runs from October 19 through November 1. Rotating 48-hour flash deals with up to 40% off select categories happen throughout the event, so check back often.
Do I need Prime to shop the deals?
Many deals are open to all shoppers, but Prime members get perks like faster free shipping. Check the individual listing, since some deals may be Prime-exclusive.
Are the discounts real?
Prices change often on Amazon. Before you buy, compare the current price to what the item usually sells for, and check the price per ounce on larger sizes.
What skincare should I buy during the sale?
Start with products you already use and know work for you, especially cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Then add one new product you’ve wanted to try.
The bottom line
The Holiday Beauty Event is a great chance to restock your skincare basics and try something new without paying full price. Make a short list, stick to your skin type, and keep an eye on the flash deals until November 1.
