Are Watsons and Guardian the most affordable personal care stores? We compare prices of the same products with iHerb to find out who’s really the cheapest!
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve searched “drugstore makeup tutorial” on YouTube. Yeah, I’m cheap. Which is also why I get pretty bummed out when things that get featured in American drugstore beauty videos are usually two to three times the price at local personal care stores like Watsons and Guardian.

But, now that we have iHerb, it shows that shopping at Watsons and Guardian may not be the smartest move… Take a look at the table below to see just how much cheaper these products are on iHerb – between S$0.90 to S$13.60!
If the table bleeds out of your mobile screen, simply slide the table left or right to view or just flip to landscape!
Product | Watsons or Guardian | iHerb | Savings |
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (2 pack) | S$29 | US$10.99 (~S$15.40) | ~S$13.60 |
Real Techniques Flawless Base Brush Set | S$40 | US$19.99 (~S$28.30) | ~S$11.70 |
Derma E Overnight Peel | S$26.90 | US$13.50 (~S$19.10) | ~S$7.80 |
Sally Hansen Moisture Rehab | S$19.90 | US$8.78 (~S$12.40) | ~S$7.50 |
Freeman Avocado and Oatmeal Purifying Clay Mask | S$6.70 | US$4.11 (~S$5.80) | ~S$0.90 |
Revlon Colour Stay Makeup | S$33.90 | US$14.96 (~S$21.20) | ~S$12.70 |
Revlon Kiss Cushion Lip Tint | S$21.90 | US$10.58 (~S$15) | ~S$6.90 |
Love Beauty and Planet Delicious Glow Body Lotion | S$10.40 | US$6.67 (~S$9.50) | ~S$0.90 |
Can you imagine? Drugstore makeup is supposed to be… well, drugstore price – but it seems like I’ve been overpaying for the longest time in Watsons or Guardian.
If you’re wondering why I’m using US dollars (USD), it’s because paying in USD on iHerb is actually cheaper! Also, in case you need more items to hit free shipping, you can consider some essential oils because they’re really cheap on iHerb – up to eight times cheaper than Muji.
1. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (2 Pack)

I think Beautyblenders are overrated. There, I said it! Don’t get me wrong. I understand the hype. I have spent way more on Beautyblenders than I care to admit. But once I tried the Real Techniques one, I simply couldn’t justify overspending on the ‘branded” version anymore.
What I didn’t know, however, was that even Guardian wasn’t the cheapest way to get your hands on the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. Guardian sells a pack of 2 for S$29, while it’s only US$10.99 (~S$15.40) on iHerb.
Guardian | iHerb | Savings |
S$29 | US$10.99 (~S$15.40) | ~S$13.60 |
2. Real Techniques Flawless Base Brush Set

No one likes cakey, streakey foundation. I mean, wouldn’t you rather walk out of the house looking blended and like your skin is literally glowing? If the price of Real Techniques brushes at Guardian have put you off trying them, I’ve got you covered.
The same Real Techniques Flawless Base Brush Set at US$19.99 (~S$28.30) on iHerb. Meanwhile, Guardian is priced higher by selling the same brush set for S$40.
Guardian | iHerb | Savings |
S$40 | US$19.99 (~S$28.30) | ~S$11.70 |
3. Derma E Overnight Peel

If you’re a big fan of chemical exfoliation, you probably know about AHA chemical peels. Thinking about giving it a try, or replenishing your supply?Don’t head to Guardian just yet.
The Derma E Overnight Peel is available for US$13.50 (~S$19.10) from iHerb. In comparison, the same product retails for S$26.90 at Guardian. Why waste your money?
Guardian | iHerb | Savings |
S$26.90 | US$13.50 (~S$19.10) | ~S$7.80 |
4. Sally Hansen Moisture Rehab

Your nails might be looking a little worse for wear since it’s been about two months since our last visit to the nail salon. If you’ve been experimenting with doing your own nails, your nails might need TLC since they tend to get dried out.
If you’re considering picking up a remedy for that issue at Watsons, you might need to rethink that. The Sally Hansen Moisture Rehab retails for only US$8.78 (~S$12.40) on iHerb, while the same product is priced at S$19.90 at Watsons.
Watsons | iHerb | Savings |
S$19.90 | US$8.78 (~S$12.40) | ~S$7.50 |
5. Freeman Avocado + Oatmeal Purifying Clay Mask

With the complete mess that 2020 has turned out to be, I’m pretty sure a lot of us are at least a little bit stressed. For lots of us, stress can cause breakouts. So if you can use a mask to try and purify your skin (preventing those annoying zits), why not do it?
Freemans clay masks have been a crowd favourite for a while now, and for good reason. It’s easily one of my favourite clay masks, and it’s affordable to boot! While Guardian sells the Freeman Avocado And Oatmeal Purifying Clay Masks for S$6.70, while the same masks is going for US$4.11 (~S$5.80) on iHerb.
Guardian | iHerb | Savings |
S$6.70 | US$4.11 (~S$5.80) | ~S$0.90 |
6. Revlon Colour Stay Makeup

Foundation is probably the makeup item we all have. I know I have multiple – despite only having the one face. If you’re a fan of having matte, flawless skin that lasts all day, you’ve probably already tried or had this Revlon product recommended to you. This foundation suits oily/combination skin, which is a must for our hot, humid weather.
It’s undoubtedly a beauty-guru favourite, especially for it’s affordable price… in the US. Unfortunately, we don’t get drugstore makeup for the same unbeatable prices in our own personal care stores. BUT THERE IS HOPE. While the Revlon Colour Stay Makeup is sold for S$33.90 at Guardian, it’s only US$14.96 (~S$21.20) on iHerb. It’s a steal for sure.
Guardian | iHerb | Savings |
S$33.90 | US$14.96 (~S$21.20) | ~S$12.70 |
7. Revlon Kiss Cushion Lip Tint

Matte lip stick has had it’s moment in the sun for a while now. And I’m kind of over it. It’s uncomfortable – leaving your lips feeling dry and chapped. So why not move to a lip tint? It offers lighter coverage and a more natural look, which I’m all about now anyway. Who has the time to touch up patchy lipstick when lip tints fade into a nice natural colour?
If you already love Revlon products, you might like the Revlon kiss Cushion Lip Tint. It also helps prevent sunburn! It’s available at Guardian, where you can buy it for S$21.90. Or, you can get it on iHerb for the lower price of US$10.58 (~S$15). No brainer, right?
Guardian | iHerb | Savings |
S$21.90 | US$10.58 (~S$15) | ~S$6.90 |
8. Love Beauty And Planet Delicious Glow Body Lotion

Smelling good can help improve your mood. Although it’s a small thing, getting body lotion in a scent I like always helps me feel better and more relaxed. Not to mention, helps me keep my ashy elbows in check.
Before you head to go get new body lotion from a personal care store, you should check iHerb instead. Love Beauty And Planet, the popular Unilever brand’s Delicious Glow Body Lotion goes for S$10.40 at Watsons. Meanwhile, it’s selling for only US$6.67 (~S$9.50) on iHerb.
Watsons | iHerb | Savings |
S$10.40 | US$6.67 (~S$9.50) | ~S$0.90 |
Now that you know what’s cheaper on iHerb, you don’t have to overpay for them at Watsons or Guardian. 😎 Of course, not everything is cheaper on iHerb all the time – so do remember to do your own comparisons before buying anything!
If we’ve left out any of your favourite products that are cheaper on iHerb, let us know in the comments below or drop us a line at editorial@you.co. Remember to pay with your YouTrip card to take advantage of Wholesale Exchange Rates for your USD purchases!
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*All currency conversion rates are accurate to nearest 10 cents on 20 May 2020 SGT 12:00.
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