As a blogger, my taste in creams and cleansers tends toward the uber-fancy. We all know that while drugstores have some good old standards, the CVS experience isn’t as exciting as toting home a tiny, pretty shopping bag stocked with high-end lotions and potions. In fact, I would have never given this sleek and stylish cleanser and lotion combo a second glance on a recent trip to Trader Joe’s had it not strongly reminded me of the clean lines in the packaging of Ren Skincare.

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Stocked unobtrusively among the paper towels and vitamins, I spotted Trader Joe’s Spa Gentle Facial Cleanser and Trader Joe’s Spa Regenerating Antioxidant Moisturizing Face Lotion. I surreptitiously sidled up to the shelf and examined the slim cylinders, giving the ingredients list a quick perusal. The citrus-scented formulations lacked parabens, mineral oil fillers, and boasted Vitamins A and C in addition to skin-friendly aloe vera juice and super-hydrophilic hyaluronic acid. At far less than $10 a pop, I could not place them back on the display, and into my cart they went.

Some cursory research indicated overwhelmingly positive reviews of the product, and I followed the tip of massaging the cleanser into dry skin for enhanced chemical exfoliation. (That sounds scary, but it just means scrubbing without scrubbing.) The cleanser tingles, but not in a bad way. It rinses off with low foam, and feels almost like a mini peel. I followed with a generous application of the Regenerating Antioxidant Moisturizing Lotion, and my skin drank up the moisture- resulting in a clean, but not dry or tight result.

After two weeks of use, I have not required a manual exfoliant once. My skin glows and hasn’t succumbed to winter dehydration, a frustration many of us oily-skinned girls can experience when temperatures plummet. I’m almost mad at Trader Joe’s for depriving me the joy of scanning the counters for a pricey cream and serum to combat cold-weather flakes, but then I remember how awesome my skin feels and all is forgiven.

What beauty finds have you come across in unexpected locations?