CVS is on the news again—this time, for taking the drastic step of closing another 270 stores nationwide. If you’re one of those people who just pop in and pick up a face mask on your way out or depend on your local CVS for last-minute lip balm, it may affect you differently.
While the closures are part of a master plan (and not, say, some final appeal against competition), shoppers up and down the board want to know: how will this disruption affect their beauty routines? From the availability of products to pricing strategies, it’s closer to home than you might think. Let’s look at what’s happening now.
CVS Isn’t Just a Pharmacy, It’s a Beauty Hub Too
CVS isn’t just where you end up when you’re under the weather—it’s where you bulk up on skin care, makeup, hair color, and even K-beauty.
Since their 2018 foray into “beauty with a purpose,” CVS has stocked its shelves with clean beauty brands, inclusive hair care lines, and influencer-endorsed cult favorites. For millions, it’s the affordable beauty store on the corner. So when CVS shuts down a whole store, it doesn’t go unnoticed.
But First—Why the Closures at All?
Let’s be clear: these closures have nothing to do with collapsing under pressure. Company officials claim the action is strategic. Think about it: shifting demographics, community health needs, and too many CVS stores clustered together.
It’s a case of streamlining operations, not abandoning customers abruptly. But when the decision makes sense for the business, it doesn’t mean customers won’t miss their favorite CVS.
Here’s What’s Actually Closing (and Where)
So far, closures are happening across a broad geographic area—San Francisco to Staten Island. Large urban areas such as Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, and Orlando are experiencing multiple closures. Some of the stores are already closed; others are closing later in the year.
And yes, beauty enthusiasts in these cities will be impacted—particularly where CVS was the only walkable or accessible store. Stand-alone stores that stock everything from Olay to Olaplex are the ones disappearing.
Fewer Stores Mean Fewer Deals (Maybe)
And one of the best attractions of CVS? Buy-one-get-one-free offers, coupons, and ExtraCare rewards. With fewer stores, some shoppers stand to lose the in-store-only sales and in-store clearance shelves.
And let’s be honest, online isn’t always the same as discovering your go-to lipstick marked down by 50% at the register. While online savings will persist, in-store treasure hunting may be less frequent.
You May Have to Travel to Find Your Favorites
Not all CVS beauty products are carried online—or in all stores. Some carry regionally trendy products, from curl-defining hair products to specialty skin care lines.
With store closings, access to those products could decrease, particularly for those with limited means of getting around. If the CVS in your local area closes, you might end up having to drive further to buy that particular sunscreen or BB cream you’ve come to love.
Pharmacy-Only Stores Are on the Rise
And here’s the catch: CVS isn’t going away—it’s changing. The pharmacy store chain is opening smaller, pharmacy-only stores. These “mini-CVS” stores will carry prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines, not your favorite sheet masks and nail polish.
This means fewer beauty product aisles to wander through, and a smaller, more clinical shopping experience. Good for health staples. Not so great for your impulse-buy makeup.
Security Measures Could Tighten Even More
Ever notice half the beauty area is locked up? That’s going to continue—and in some instances, grow. Shoplifting prevention is a retailer problem on the rise, and with more stores to cover broader customer bases, CVS might ratchet up inventory control.
That does mean more products in glass enclosures—and more standing around waiting for someone to unlock it, something that can be frustrating for casual beauty browsing.
Smaller Stores, Smaller Beauty Aisles
Even if they do stay open, CVS is redesigning its stores. Some are being downsized to increase circulation and cut expenses. That means fewer shelves—and yes, fewer beauty products.
You may find your favorite brands disappearing slowly, or an entire category of products being reduced to “essentials only.” That nicely edited selection may suffice for some—but it restricts discovery and choice.
Online CVS Beauty Is Growing—But Not Perfect
Indeed, CVS.com is alive and kicking. While it’s adding more beauty items online, it’s not quite as painless as browsing Sephora or Ulta.
Product availability changes by ZIP code, shipping charges mount, and retailing is different. And with no in-store testers or impulse purchases, returns and getting the right shade are a game of chance.
What About Beauty Inclusivity?
CVS has been praised in recent years for its mission of diversity among its beauty lines. Closing stores, however, could reverse that progress. In poor communities, CVS was often the only place to find foundation for darker skin or products for curly hair.
Closing those shops may disenfranchise customers of color in a way that disproportionately affects them. It’s a ripple effect to watch out for.
Target + CVS = A Beauty Backup Plan?
The silver lining: some CVS pharmacies actually operate inside Target stores. If your CVS is closing and there is a Target in the area, you may not be so out of luck after all.
The hybrid stores maintain a mini-pharmacy and full Target beauty store—they’re stocked to have even more selection. It’s not ideal as a replacement, but it’s an intelligent trick.
What Beauty Brands Should Do Next
CVS’s disruption is a wake-up call for beauty brands and drugstores. CVS has long been the most convenient option. Look for some players to increase distribution in stores such as Walgreens or Rite Aid—or bet big on TikTok, Amazon, and direct-to-consumer channels.
Brands may even provide exclusive offers to bring customers back, whether or not CVS is open across the block.
Beauty Isn’t Going Anywhere—It’s Just Moving
The CVS closures could be the end of an era, at least if your local CVS was your destination. But beauty shoppers are tough—and flexible.
If that means discovering a new neighborhood store, shopping online, or relying on Target runs for mascara and micellar water, the beauty game will continue. Just plan on taking a few detours.
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