How to Save on Health & Beauty at CVS in December 2025

How to Save on Health and Beauty at CVS: A Guide to ExtraCare, Coupons and Deals

Walking into CVS for one thing and walking out with a bag full of health and beauty finds is a common experience. But the savviest shoppers know that paying full price is rarely necessary. CVS is a treasure trove of savings, but unlocking them requires a strategy. This guide to CVS health and beauty discounts breaks down everything you need to know—from mastering the free ExtraCare program to the art of "stacking" coupons—to dramatically cut your spending on skincare, makeup, vitamins, and more.

The Core of CVS Savings: Mastering the ExtraCare Program

The absolute foundation of saving money on health and beauty products at CVS is its free loyalty program, ExtraCare. Nearly every significant deal on skincare, cosmetics, and vitamins is tied to this program, so signing up is the essential first step for any aspiring saver.

Earning 2% Back in ExtraBucks Rewards

As an ExtraCare member, you will automatically earn 2% back on almost all qualifying health and beauty purchases. This reward accumulates over a three-month period and is then paid out quarterly in the form of ExtraBucks, which function like cash you can spend in the store. If you use the CVS app, these rewards become available digitally as you earn them, ready to be spent on your next purchase.

Weekly Ad Deals: The Key to Big Savings

The fastest and most effective way to accumulate ExtraBucks is by taking advantage of the weekly ad's "Buy X, Get Y in ExtraBucks" promotions. These deals are the cornerstone of CVS savings and often look like, "Buy 2 L'Oréal hair care products, Get $5 ExtraBucks" or "Buy 1 Olay moisturizer, Get $10 ExtraBucks." Once you complete a qualifying purchase, the ExtraBucks reward will either print on your physical receipt or be loaded directly to your digital ExtraCare account, ready to be used like cash on a future purchase.

Personalized Coupons (CRTs)

CVS takes savings a step further with CRTs ("Cash Register Tapes"), which are personalized coupons sent to you based on your unique shopping history. If you frequently buy skincare, for example, you'll start receiving valuable coupons like "30% off your skincare purchase" or "$5 off any $25 vitamin purchase." You can find these high-value offers printed on your receipt, in the CVS app under "Deals and Rewards," or by scanning your card at the in-store Coupon Center.

CarePass: The Paid Membership for Super-Savers

For shoppers who regularly buy health, beauty, or pharmacy items at CVS, the CarePass program is a powerful savings tool. For a fee of $5 per month or a discounted $48 per year, this paid membership offers premium benefits that can easily outweigh the cost. The main value comes from the $10 monthly ExtraBucks reward you receive, which you can use for a beauty splurge or to stock up on health essentials. This benefit alone makes the membership profitable. Furthermore, CarePass members enjoy free 1-2 day shipping on eligible online orders, making it easy to restock favorites without a trip to the store. Other major perks include free same-day prescription delivery, a 20% discount on thousands of CVS Health brand products like vitamins and skincare, and access to a 24/7 pharmacist helpline.

Types of Coupons and How to Stack Them for Beauty and Health

CVS is famous for its generous coupon policy that allows shoppers to "stack" multiple discounts in a single transaction. This is the secret to getting deep discounts on health and beauty products, and sometimes even getting them for free.

Coupon Types Explained

To stack effectively, you need to understand the two main types of coupons. Manufacturer Coupons are issued by the brands themselves (like CoverGirl, Colgate, or Dove) and can be used at any store that accepts them. CVS Store Coupons (CRTs) are issued directly by CVS and are exclusive to their stores. These are the personalized coupons tailored to your shopping habits.

The Stacking Formula: The Secret to "Free" Items

The golden rule of stacking at CVS is that you can use one Manufacturer Coupon AND one CVS Store Coupon per item. For example, imagine a Maybelline Mascara is on sale for $9. If you have a $3 off Maybelline Manufacturer Coupon and a $4 off any Maybelline cosmetics CRT from CVS, you can apply both to that single item. This brings the final price down from $9 to an incredible $2. This powerful strategy of combining a manufacturer coupon with a store coupon is the key to unlocking deep discounts at major drugstores. Check out our selection of Walgreen's health and beauty coupons to see how much you can save there with similar methods.

Paying with ExtraBucks

After all sale prices and stacked coupons have been applied to your transaction, you can use any ExtraBucks you've previously earned to pay the remaining balance. ExtraBucks are treated just like cash at the register and are the final step to reducing your out-of-pocket cost.

Other Key Health and Beauty Savings Programs at CVS

ExtraCare Pharmacy and Health Rewards

This separate, free program creates the ultimate "health-to-beauty" pipeline. By opting in, you earn credits for pharmacy activities like filling prescriptions and getting vaccines. Once you accumulate 10 credits, you receive a $5 Pharmacy ExtraBucks Reward. You can then immediately use that reward—earned simply by managing your health—to purchase a new lipstick, face mask, or any other beauty treat you desire.

Category-Specific ExtraBucks Promotions

Beyond the standard weekly deals, be on the lookout for larger, event-based promotions that are perfect for stocking up. These deals often require a higher spending threshold but offer a significant reward in return. You'll frequently see offers like, "Spend $30 on select cosmetics, get $10 ExtraBucks" or "Spend $40 on select facial care products, get $10 ExtraBucks." These promotions allow you to mix and match products from various brands to reach the spending goal and earn a big reward.

A Smart Shopper's Guide to Health and Beauty at CVS

First and foremost, always scan your ExtraCare card or use the app for every purchase, as no savings are possible without it. To maximize your earnings, plan your shopping trip around the weekly ad to identify the best ExtraBucks deals on your favorite brands.

A helpful trick to know is the "98% Rule." This unwritten policy often allows a threshold coupon (like "$4 off a $20 shampoo purchase") to work even if your subtotal is just shy of the requirement, such as $19.60.

The ultimate strategy for advanced shoppers is to "roll" your ExtraBucks. This means using the rewards you earned this week to help pay for next week's transaction, which in turn will generate new rewards. By continuously rolling your ExtraBucks, you can keep your out-of-pocket spending consistently low.

Finally, make it a habit to scan your card at the in-store Coupon Center (the "Red Box") every time you visit. It often prints surprise CRTs for cosmetics, skincare, or other items that you may not have received in your app. You can always browse their FAQs for help with any of these methods of saving.

Your 10-Point Guide to Saving on Health and Beauty Categories at CVS

Here are the most important product categories for savings at CVS, ranked by where you can find the best and most frequent deals to maximize your ExtraBucks and coupon stacks.

Skin Care: The Premier Savings Category

This is where the biggest savings happen. CVS is a powerhouse for deals on brands like CeraVe, Neutrogena, Olay, La Roche-Posay, and L'Oréal. Look for high-value "Spend $30, Get $10 ExtraBucks" or "Buy 2, Get $8 ExtraBucks" promotions in the weekly ad. Skin care is the perfect category to stack high-value CRTs (like "30% off facial care") with manufacturer coupons to dramatically reduce the cost of premium serums, moisturizers, and cleansers.

Cosmetics and Makeup: Stack Your Way to Freebies

Makeup is a close second for incredible deals. Brands like Maybelline, L'Oréal, CoverGirl, and Revlon are almost always part of a weekly ExtraBucks promotion. This category is famous for "mystery" CRTs that print at the Coupon Center. By stacking a brand-specific CRT (e.g., "$4 off Maybelline") with a manufacturer coupon, it's common for savvy shoppers to get mascara, lipstick, or foundation for pennies on the dollar, or even free.

Hair Care: Stock Up for Less

Never pay full price for shampoo again. Hair care is a reliable and consistent category for earning ExtraBucks. Deals on brands like Pantene, Garnier, Head and Shoulders, and Dove are staples of the weekly ad. These promotions are often simple, like "Buy 2, Get $4 ExtraBucks," making it easy to stock up on essentials for the whole family while earning rewards for your next trip.

Over-the-Counter Health Essentials: Medicine Cabinet Staples

This massive category combines Allergy and Sinus; Cough, Cold and Flu; Pain and Fever; and Digestive Health. Savings here are often seasonal but powerful. During allergy season, you'll find great deals on Zyrtec and Claritin. In the winter, cold and flu products from brands like Mucinex and Vicks will have ExtraBucks offers. This is a prime category for stacking manufacturer coupons with CRTs like "$5 off a $25 pain relief purchase."

Vitamins and Supplements: The BOGO Powerhouse

Vitamins are a cornerstone of CVS savings. You'll almost always find Buy One, Get One Free sales on Nature's Bounty, Nature Made, and the extensive CVS Health brand vitamin line. Combine these BOGO sales with a CRT (e.g., "$6 off any $30 vitamin purchase") to get a huge discount. If you have CarePass, the extra 20% off CVS Health brand vitamins makes for an unbeatable deal.

Bath and Body Care: Consistent and Reliable Deals

This category covers everyday necessities like body wash, bar soap, deodorant, and lotions from brands such as Dove, Nivea, Dial, and Axe. While the individual rewards might be smaller (e.g., "Buy 2, Get $2 ExtraBucks"), the deals are frequent and predictable. This makes the Bath and Body aisle a perfect place to "roll" your ExtraBucks on items you'll always need.

First Aid and Specialty Care: Build Your Kit on a Budget

Combining First Aid, Braces and Supports, and Foot Care, this category offers strategic savings. Look for "Spend $15, Get $5 ExtraBucks" promotions on brands like Band-Aid, Neosporin, and Dr. Scholl's. These deals are the perfect opportunity to build or restock your home first aid kit for a fraction of the retail price.

The Trial and Travel Size Strategy: Your Secret Weapon

This isn't just a category; it's a pro-level savings tactic. The Trial and Travel size section is filled with small, inexpensive health and beauty items. They are perfect for helping you reach a spending threshold for an ExtraBucks deal. For example, if you need to spend $20 on shampoo to get $5 ExtraBucks but your two bottles only total $18.98, grab a $1.29 travel-size lotion to push your total over the limit and earn the reward.

Beauty Tools, Nails and Fragrance: The Perfect ExtraBucks Splurge

While not the most frequent deal-drivers, categories like Beauty Tools and Accessories, Nail Polish, and Fragrances are excellent for using the ExtraBucks you've earned from other purchases. Brands like Essie and Sally Hansen often participate in broader cosmetics promotions. Use a $5 ExtraBucks reward to grab a new nail polish or a pack of makeup sponges for free, making it a guilt-free treat.

Home Health and Wellness: Practical Savings

This practical category includes Masks and Gloves, Stop Smoking aids, Home Tests, and Sleep Aids. While deals are less frequent, they are often timed for maximum relevance (e.g., discounts on home COVID-19 tests or smoking cessation products around the New Year). Keep an eye on your personalized CRTs for rare but valuable coupons in these areas.

CVS Shipping, Returns and Policies

Knowing the store's policies can save you time, money, and headaches. We've distilled the key takeaways from CVS' official site to help you shop with confidence.

Shipping Policy

CVS provides standard shipping for online orders, but the standout benefit is for CarePass members, who receive free 1-2 day shipping on most items. This makes ordering your health and beauty staples online incredibly convenient and cost-effective.

Return Policy with Coupons

The return policy is especially important for beauty products. If you buy a foundation and discover the shade is wrong, you can return it within 60 days of purchase. However, it's crucial to understand that the value of any manufacturer coupons, CVS coupons, and ExtraBucks you used for that purchase will be subtracted from your refund. You will be refunded only the actual amount you paid out-of-pocket for that specific item.

How We Find and Publish Deals

Our dedicated team of deal curators is on a constant mission to find the very best CVS deals for you, our readers. We scour every corner of the internet, monitor their site for new promotions, and verify each offer to ensure it provides real value. This tireless effort means you can trust that the deals you see on DealNews are current, accurate, and the best available.

Why Trust DealNews?

DealNews has been helping our readers save money on everything under the sun for years, and when it comes to getting the best bang for your buck at stores like CVS, this year is no exception. We deliver hundreds of deals to savvy shoppers every single day, covering a massive range of products—from clothes and home goods to tech gadgets and vacations. All those years of experience go into making absolutely sure that every deal we publish is the best price you're likely to find, period. Our commitment is to you, the reader, regardless of any relationship we might have with a store.

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