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13 Trader Joe's Non-Food Products People Go Nuts For

Trader Joe's is good for more than just frozen dinners and snacks.

Trader Joe's Products People Go Nuts For Featured Image
Updated Dec. 16, 2025
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Trader Joe's is known for its affordable produce and frozen food selections, but its non-food products — everything from skincare to candles and even greeting cards — often go unnoticed.

Half the fun of a TJ's shopping run is that there are always new Trader Joe's shopping hacks and new products to discover. Here are some other ways you can reap the benefits of Trader Joe's affordability outside of their everything bagel seasoning and cauliflower gnocchi. 

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

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Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Hair Serum

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Shea butter coconut hair serum from Trader Joe's and purple flowers around it

Price: $4.99

This hair serum works like magic and lasts an entire year if you have long hair (it probably lasts a lifetime for mid-length haircuts).

Luseta sells a similar coconut hair serum for $28 on their website, making this under $5 Trader Joe's dupe a fan-favorite.

Reddit users say it's not greasy and does just what it advertises, "bye-bye" frizz and "hello" shiny hair.

Greeting Cards

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Greeting Card coming out of mailbox

Price: $0.99

Depending on the layout of your local Trader Joe's location, you may have never noticed the greeting card section, as it's often tucked away in a hidden part of the store.

On your next visit, ask an employee to point you in their direction. For just $.99 a piece, they have an adorable and eclectic collection of greeting cards that you can keep on hand for all your gift-giving and letter-writing needs.

Lavender Hand Sanitizer Spray

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Trader Joe's lavender mist hand sanitizer

Price: $1.99

With the cold and flu season upon us, it's good to keep a good hand sanitizer on you to keep the germs at bay.

Customers love this one from Trader Joe's because its compact size makes it easy to slip into a desk drawer, backpack, or purse. At just $1.99 for two fluid ounces, it's a great deal — especially compared to one from Bath & Body Works, which is double the price and half the amount of product.

Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Sunscreen from Trader Joe's
Price: $8.99

Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen has taken the internet by storm as a remarkably affordable dupe for Supergoop's Unseen Sunscreen.

Customers love it because it soaks into your face without leaving a residue behind, and at just under $10, it's over four times cheaper than the $40 Supergoop sunscreen. For the same price of one Supergoop bottle, you could buy several to keep in your purse, car, and medicine cabinet.

Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags

Price: $9.99

If you're trying to be more conscious about the amount of disposable plastic you use, a good place to start is investing in reusable food storage bags.

Shoppers love these Trader Joe's ones, which come in a pack of 3. You'll find a similar set at Target, which is currently priced at $35.95. The $10 price point can't be beat.

Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream from Trader Joe's

Price: $4.99

If you love L'Occitane's hand cream, you need to try Trader Joe's Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream.

Shoppers love it because it sinks into your skin without leaving behind a greasy layer of residue, and at just under $5 per bottle, it's a great purchase that you can keep in your bag or a desk drawer at work to keep your hands moisturized in the winter months.

Retinol Night Serum

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Retinol Night Serum from Trader Joe's

Price: $9.99

Retinol is a great addition to your skincare routine if you're looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. But these little bottles of precious serum tend to be expensive.

At just under $10 for one fluid ounce, this is a great deal and a great way to try retinol in your skincare regimen if you aren't looking to make a major financial investment.

Reddit user TerribleShopping7012 shared: "Yes, it's awesome! My dermatologist said it is actually better than the more expensive brands."

Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals

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November brings cooler days, cozy nights, and the kickoff to the holiday season. With Thanksgiving on the horizon and major sales events ahead, it’s the perfect time to prep your home, pantry, and gift list while scoring smart savings. Look for deals on:

  • Layered essentials like coats, boots, and warm accessories
  • Fall-to-winter decor
  • Early holiday gifts and Black Friday preview deals
  • For grocery savings, look for seasonal produce, including sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, apples, and cranberries

As retailers ramp up for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, November offers some of the best opportunities to shop early, save big, and stay ahead of the holiday rush.

Chicken & Bone Broth Recipe Dog Treats

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Trader Joe's Chicken & Bone Broth Recipe Dog Treats
Price: $3.99

If you're trekking to the pet store to stock up on dog treats for your furry friends, save yourself a trip and pick them up on your next Trader Joe's run.

Not only are they affordable, but the small size makes them perfect for smaller dogs that usually need their treats broken up into smaller pieces.

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Peppermint Multipurpose Castile Soap

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Trader Joe's Peppermint Multipurpose Castile Soap

Price: $5.99

This is a gentle, plant-based cleaner that can be used on everything from dishes and laundry to your face and body. This one is made with coconut, jojoba, and peppermint oils which give it a clean and refreshing scent. It's also double the amount of product and half the price of this one by Dr. Bronner's, making it a perfect dupe for those who use castile soap as part of their regular cleaning routine.

Dry Shampoo

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Trader Joe's Dry Shampoo next to hair brush

Price: $4.99

Trader Joe's dry shampoo is beloved by shoppers because it soaks into hair easily without leaving any residue. This is a good dupe for the Odele Dry Shampoo from Target. At roughly half the price for the same amount of product, this is a great cost-effective option.

Liquid Laundry Detergent Free and Clear

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Liquid Laundry Detergent Free and Clear from TJ's

Price: $5.99

Along with all the other cleaning products on this list, Trader Joe's has a great liquid laundry detergent that's cheaper than most other name brands on the market.

It's free of dyes and artificial scents, which makes it great for people with sensitive skin or allergies. It's half the price and comes with the same amount of product as one from Arm & Hammer, which is also fragrance-free and designed for those with sensitive skin.

Cleansing + Conditioning Hair Wash

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Cleansing + Conditioning Hair Wash from trader Joe's

Price: $4.99

This is the perfect hair product for those who don't want to overdo the harsh shampoo washes every day.

Your hair will thank you after using this gentle formula, which cleans lightly and leaves it moist. It doesn't foam, so at first, you might think it's not cleaning, but trust me, it is. You will love the fresh yet hydrated feeling this product gives.

Quick tips: How to save on your grocery bill

Dragana Gordic/Adobe young woman with groceries at parking lot

Grocery shopping doesn't have to break the bank when you use the right strategies. Here are three quick tips for reducing food expenses:

  • Buy store brands instead of name brands whenever possible.
  • Always make sure to compare unit prices, not just sticker prices.
  • Join your store's loyalty program so you don’t miss out on member discounts.

Even though something like choosing coupons in your grocery store app can feel like an annoying task, the savings can really add up.

Brazil Nut Body Oil

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Brazil Nut Body Oil from Trader Joe's

Price: $6.99

Trader Joe's shoppers go nuts for this "nut" oil (pun intended). It smells like candy and feels so good on the body. 

Consider a dupe for Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum ($52) body oil, this much more affordable option has shoppers comparing it to the fragrance in Cheirosa 68.

Bottom Line

Rix Pix/Adobe Trader Joes specialty grocery store

It's no mystery that groceries—especially household items like cleaning supplies and body care items — are getting more and more expensive.

We're all doing our best to find ways to save money on groceries, but one good thing about Trader Joe's is that they've managed to keep their prices low in more than just their food selection.

From gift giving to skincare to cleaning supplies, there are lots of hidden products in their tightly packed, winding aisles that can net you savings.

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