The thing that sets Walmart apart from other retailers, and the leading factor that their wild success is ascribed to, is their rock bottom low prices. Their prices are usually the lowest in any given market for products which include groceries, cosmetics, pharmaceutical solutions and clothing. This is made possible by incredibly low production costs achieved by their manufacturing being done more efficiently in-house, the use of simpler packaging, and condensed marketing needs.

Walmart has been building up their private label brands, to the frustration of the companies that these products mimic. However, this development is welcomed with open arms by scores of people who rely on these affordable brands to purchase necessities when money is tight. Equate is one of Walmart’s largest private brands, second only to food brand GreatValue, and brings pharmaceutical and self-care products to the public at a fraction of the prices that their comparable prices are set at.

Equate Product Overview

Equate is one of Walmart’s many private label brands and deals with health and beauty products. This includes over the counter medication such as ibuprofen, allergy medicine, a variety of vitamins and so on, bath and body items like soap, conditioner, and lotion, digestive health aids, and supplements like their weight loss shakes and acid re-flux reducers, oral care such as their antiseptic mouthwash and denture care, smoking quitting solutions like nicotine patches and nicotine gum or lozenges, and feminine hygiene products. The name Equate suggests that the products can be equated to their “name-brand” alternatives, and most of them truly can be.

Equate Hair Regrowth Solution Review

This medicated topical cream is very similar in ingredients and effectiveness to the very popular hair growth solution, Rogain. Its active ingredient is Monoxidil USP 5%, which many men and women experiencing hair thinning and balding have seen results from. At the very beginning of use, hair loss can be accelerated and your scalp may get very dry causing flaking, but once your scalp regulates itself to the monoxidil everything evens out. Hair quickly grows back, and flaking will stop as well. Because this causes hair to grow, don’t be surprised if you start getting hairier in other areas of the body. If that’s a major concern for you, exercise caution in using. The dropper dispenser makes the solution easy to apply, and reaching the scalp through long or thick areas of hair is a cinch.

Equate Liquid Hand Soap Review

Equate has a few hand soaps, my favorite being the aloe infused version that I’ll talk about in a bit. These are all good soaps that aren’t drying and clean away dirt and bacteria without being too harsh. The options include the most basic Clear Liquid Hand Soap, the Light Moisturizing Liquid Hand Soap, and the Liquid Hand Soap with Milk & Honey which is conditioning and smells nice.

Equate 3-Step Acne System Review

The Equate acne set is very comparable to the very popular Proactiv system, but for almost a quarter of the price. Like the Proactiv set, the Equate Acne System comes with a face wash, toner, repairing lotion and a bonus sulfur mask, and it includes all of the same active ingredients that Proactiv does. Many who have used both consider the two systems to be identical, and some even prefer the equate version. It works well to fight acne, but it does dry out the skin so incorporate them (or any acne busting products) gradually into your skincare routine. The packaging on these is attractive, with a white, teal and metallic silver color palette that works well and gives off a fresh, cleansing vibe.

Equate Personal Lubricant Jelly Review

The Equate Personal Lubricant works well, but can dry out quickly and causes friction when used with condoms. Until it dries out, it’s a good lube, and would be a great choice for short-term lubrication needs like inserting a medical tube into the body. It’s water based, non-greasy, non-irritating for most people, and fragrance-free (although there is a slight chemical scent to it). It has a decidedly non-sexy bottle that makes it look more like a foot cream than a lube, but features a convenient stand-up tube and sturdy flip cap.

Equate Makeup Remover Towelettes Review

Makeup remover wipes are a convenient, quick way to clean your face, and are especially handy for on-the-go use. These particular towelettes are useful for someone who wears light makeup that is easily removed and no sort of skin sensitivity. Otherwise, it takes some good scrubbing to take off stubborn makeup which can really irritate the skin. Additionally, they are alcohol-free and oil-free. A small number of people with sensitive skin have said that these wipes give them a burning sensation and cause breakouts. Others have said that it leaves a weird residue on the skin, and the packaging does seem to deteriorate quickly.

Equate Hand Soap with Aloe Vera Review

This liquid hand soap cleanses gently but thoroughly enough. The addition of aloe vera gives it a nice nourishing, hydrating effect on hands after use, and it is unscented – a positive, as fragrance can cause irritation. The bottle itself has a plastic flat dispenser that doesn’t clog up. Overall this makes for a good, simple soap.

Equate Anti-Wrinkle and Firming Eye Cream Review

Natural solutions for skin care are always preferred, but sometimes turning to over-the-counter beauty products can work too. The skin around the eye is the thinnest, most delicate, and absolutely must be cared for. This cream produces really amazing results for the price. It’s moisturizing, it’s firming, it’s brightening, and it’s softening. Antioxidants reverse signs of ageing and reduce crow’s feet and fine lines over time. This eye cream is non-irritating and can be worn during the day or at night and sits well underneath makeup.

Walmart markets this as a dupe of L’Oréal Paris Revitalift, and while it has many of the same great effects, the ingredients are not very similar – don’t expect an identical product. It comes in a nicely minimalist white plastic jar. Some online buyers have mentioned that it’s smaller than they expected it to be based on the box it comes in, but a little goes a very long way with eye cream so this should last you a while.

Equate Advanced Recovery Skin Care Lotion Review

This hypoallergenic, fragrance-free lotion is jam packed with moisturizing ingredients, and doesn’t leave skin feeling all greasy. It’s sensitive skin friendly and it’s a total beast at healing rough or cracked skin.

Equate Deep Moisture Body Wash Review

Deep Moisture Body Wash features a creamy texture and builds up into a thick lather. It softens dry skin and locks in moisture. A few with sensitive skin have said that it makes their skin feel itchy, but the majority of people love this body wash and had no irritation issues with it and it is formulated without any of the major known irritants. It comes in a standard body wash bottle that looks similar to its comparison product, Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash.

Is Walmart’s Equate Brand Cruelty Free?

Walmart has come under a lot of fire for their animal practices in the past, especially after a shocking video emerged showing really bad conditions for pigs in one of their supplier farms. Walmart was petitioned and protested against, and thankfully they have made some real improvements in their animal welfare policies since then. In 2015, Walmart adopted a policy that would ensure more transparency in the supply chain, and the president of the Walmart Foundation, Kathleen McLaughlin, said “We have listened to our customers, and are asking our suppliers to engage in improved reporting standards and transparency measures regarding the treatment of farm animals.”

Walmart is one of, if not the, biggest purchaser of all of their suppliers, so when they commit to using suppliers who follow basic animal welfare standards a lot of real change can happen. In terms of the products themselves, Equate is not certified cruelty-free but there are plenty of cruelty-free products on the Walmart shelves.

Conclusion

Many consumers have fond feelings towards Walmart and offer the company their undying loyalty. Quality products made under the Equate label are a strong example of why. Many of the aptly named ‘Equate’ products really do equate to their name-brand inspirations, although they truthfully offer less style and sometimes less substance. If you can get past the toned down presentation, Equate products can work really well for you while saving you a considerable amount of money. Remember: “Save money, Live better. Walmart.”

Thanks for reading our Equate feature! For information on Super Foods like Macadamia Nuts, Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Chia Seeds, and Pistachios, keep reading here at Innovative Private Label!