Survey ranks greatest over-the-counter drugs and well being merchandise

U.S. News & World Report is out with its 2026 rankings of one of the best over-the-counter drugs and well being merchandise, based mostly on suggestions from pharmacists and dermatologists throughout the nation.

The rankings have been developed in partnership with The Harris Poll and are based mostly on a March survey of 357 pharmacists and 129 dermatologists. Participants have been randomly assigned product classes and requested to determine the manufacturers they’d be probably to suggest to shoppers.

In whole, 128 classes have been evaluated, together with dietary supplements, allergy therapies and skincare merchandise. Eleven new classes have been added this yr.

“These are the experts who are day-in, day-out, recommending these products and brands to their patients. So, they know best,” stated Shanley Chien, senior editor of well being at U.S. News & World Report.

“Navigating our health and our wellness, whether it’s for ourselves or for our loved ones, can be incredibly overwhelming,” Chien stated. “This offers consumers a starting point for when they’re trying to navigate their health and wellness journey.”

The manufacturers with essentially the most merchandise ranked primary on this report have been Nature Made with 12, CeraVe with six and La Roche-Posay with 4. The corporations with essentially the most merchandise rated No. 1 have been Haleon, adopted by Pharmavite, Kenvue, L’Oreal and Prestige Consumer Healthcare.

U.S. News stated solely manufacturers that met its statistical efficiency requirements based mostly on survey outcomes acquired a “Best OTC Medicine & Health Products” designation.

Among merchandise ranked highest by pharmacists have been Flonase for allergy nasal sprays, Children’s Delsym for kids’s cough drugs, Pedialyte for electrolyte powders and Zyrtec for oral allergy drugs. Dermatologists most steadily advisable Differin for pimples, CeraVe for a number of skincare classes and La Roche-Posay for sunscreens and vitamin C serums.

U.S. News famous the rankings are meant to assist shoppers examine choices and aren’t an alternative to medical recommendation. Health officers suggest talking with a healthcare supplier earlier than beginning new drugs or dietary supplements.

The full record of rankings and classes is obtainable at health.usnews.com.

Popular product class winners evaluated by pharmacists embrace:

• Allergy Nasal Sprays: Flonase
• Bug Repellent Sprays: Off!
• Children’s Cough Medicines: Children’s Delsym
• Children’s Multivitamins: Flintstones
• Collagen Peptides: Vital Proteins
• Creatine: Optimum Nutrition
• Digestive Enzymes: Nature’s Bounty
• Electrolyte Powders: Pedialyte
• Magnesium Supplements: Mag-Ox
• Menopause Supplements: Estroven E
• Multivitamins for Men: Centrum
• Multivitamins for Women: One A Day
• Natural Sleep Aids: Unisom
• Oral Allergy Medicines (Antihistamines): Zyrtec
• Probiotic Supplements: Culturelle

Popular product class winners evaluated by dermatologists embrace:

• Acne Treatments: Differin
• Anti-Dandruff Shampoos: Head & Shoulders
• Eczema Treatments: CeraVe
• Face Moisturizers: CeraVe
• Face Washes and Cleansers for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe
• Hair Growth Serums and Oils: Nutrafol
• Hair Regrowth Treatments (Medicated): Rogaine
• Lip Balms: Aquaphor
• Moisturizers with SPF: CeraVe
• Retinol Creams and Serums: La Roche-Posay
• Scar Creams and Treatments: Mederma
• Sunscreen for Body: Neutrogena
• Sunscreen for Face: La Roche-Posay
• Vitamin C Serums: La Roche-Posay
• Wrinkle Creams: La Roche-Posay

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