Bang for Your Buck: Affordable, healthier products you can trust

The Bang for Your Buck series is your go-to guide to find affordable personal care and household products that are better for your health. From makeup essentials like eyeliner and mascara to everyday items like sunscreen, shampoo and cleaning sprays, we help you make smart choices without breaking the bank.

We spotlight products that meet EWG’s rigorous standards for safety and ingredient transparency, including those rated green in our Skin Deep®️ database and Guide to Healthy Cleaners or certified EWG Verified®️. These are products you can feel good about using — for yourself and your family — at prices you’ll love.

Personal Care Products
Sunscreen

Best bang for your buck: Kids' sunscreens

School’s almost out, and kids will soon be enjoying their favorite part of the year – summer vacation. Whether that means beach trips, summer camp or making memories with other neighborhood kids, they...
Family at Beach
Personal Care Products
Cosmetics
Sunscreen
Family Health
Children’s Health

Safer gifts under $25 for baby showers

Expectant parents and caregivers can find the number of products designed for babies overwhelming. Baby registries can help organize their needs but can be a challenge to plan.
Personal Care Products
Cosmetics

Best bang for your buck: Foundations under $35

A good makeup look requires a solid base. But some foundations cost a pretty penny while also containing potentially harmful ingredients. When you’re looking for the perfect shade, it can be difficult...
Woman applying foundation
Personal Care Products
Cosmetics

Best bang for your buck: Personal care products marketed to Black women

Shopping for low-hazard products isn’t always straightforward. But BLK + GRN – an online marketplace of Black-owned natural, toxic-free products – collaborated with EWG to help you make these choices.
Woman putting on face cream
Personal Care Products
Cosmetics

Best bang for your buck: Hand and body lotions

Whether you’re dodging snowballs, sledding or curled up by the fire, remember to keep your skin hydrated and healthy in winter. Cold weather can damage your skin, but some lotions that fend off this...
lotions
Personal Care Products
Cosmetics
Household & Consumer Products

How EWG saved Christmas: Healthy stocking stuffers under $20

Rushing downstairs on Christmas morning to check your stocking is one of the oldest and most treasured Yuletide traditions. But finding the perfect stocking stuffers isn’t always as enjoyable.
stocking stuffers
Personal Care Products
Cosmetics
Toxic Chemicals

Best bang for your buck: Eyeliners under $20

Whether you want to accentuate your everyday style or create a dramatic look, the perfect eyeliner may be the ideal finishing touch. With Halloween creeping closer, we’re betting that you already have...
Eyeliner BFYB
Personal Care Products
Cosmetics

Best bang for your buck: Conditioner

No shower routine is complete without a conditioner to strengthen and revitalize your hair. But finding one that’s the perfect companion to your shampoo isn’t always straightforward.
Shampoo shopping
Personal Care Products
Cosmetics

Best bang for your buck: Skin Deep® green-rated shampoos under $20

Your hair is one of the most important parts of your identity and appearance – and regular shampooing helps keep it vibrant and healthy. But high-end, luxury shampoos can sport $100-plus price tags...
BFYB Shampoo
Personal Care Products
Sunscreen

Sun-safe and sound: EWG Verified® sunscreens under $20

Protecting yourself from the sun is one of the most important things you can do for your skin’s appearance and health at any age. This summer, consider investing in your health by choosing from our...
Sunscreen EWGVF
Personal Care Products
Cosmetics
Family Health

Best bang for your buck: Mascaras

It’s prom season, which means millions of teenagers across the U.S. will be getting done up for one of the most high school experiences. It’s a time for “promposals,” dancing and getting enough...
Mascaras
Cleaning Supplies
Toxic Chemicals
Chemical Policy

Safer sprayers: Options for spring cleaning

It’s official: spring is right around the corner. With the warmer weather and the season’s holidays approaching, people everywhere are dusting window sills, wiping counters and spraying bathrooms. But...
Cleaning spray being used on a table
Personal Care Products
Cosmetics
Household & Consumer Products

Pucker up for less: Lipsticks that won’t break the bank this Valentine’s Day

The right lipstick could be the cherry on top of your Valentine’s Day celebration. Whether you’re getting ready for a dinner date or looking for the perfect gift for your partner, lipstick may be the...
Lipstick shopping
Personal Care Products
Cosmetics

How EWG saved Christmas: Healthy stocking stuffers under $20

Rushing downstairs on Christmas morning to check your stocking is one of the oldest and most treasured yuletide traditions. But finding the perfect stocking stuffers isn’t always as enjoyable.
Stocking
Personal Care Products
Sunscreen
Family Health
Children’s Health
Toxic Chemicals

Save your vacation with these best “bang for your buck” sunscreens

Whether you’re spending time this summer relaxing at the beach or sunbathing in your backyard, protecting your skin from the sun is important. Nothing ruins a nice day, let alone a vacation, like...
Sunscreens on store shelves.