It's that time of year again: Backpacks are in, flip flops are out. As the year kicks (back) into high gear, there are new school schedules to wrangle, seasonal colds to deal with, and your own self-care routine to maintain — which is why being prepared is everything. That's where Alison Havens, motherhood guru and mom of three, really shines. To keep herself and her family healthy all fall and winter long (hi, cold and flu season), she makes one stop at CVS to stock up on her essentials. "As a busy mom, my main goal is to take as few trips as possible," she says.
And this time of year, there's extra incentive. The CVS Big Fall Wellness Sale is one to add to the shared calendar, especially if you're stockpiling wellness products for the whole family. From September 14 through September 27, you can get $10 ExtraBucks (a.k.a. money to spend at CVS) when you spend $30 on wellness support products and use your ExtraCare card. Then, CVS continues with Hot Deals from September 28 through October 11.
To help round out your shopping list, Havens shared some of her go-tos for surviving the fall season. But consider it a starting point. After all, "I always end up finding at least one new favorite when I go in for 'just one thing'," she says. With that, here's what's in her cart.
Children's Tylenol
Buying children's pain reliever in bulk is pretty much a rite of passage for parents — and it could save you a last-minute trip to the drugstore when your kid comes home with a fever. "Back-to-school season basically means back-to-germs season," says Havens. While she does what she can to get ahead of sniffles, she also relies on this cherry-flavored classic.
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Nature's Bounty Magnesium Tablets
Like calcium, magnesium is an essential mineral to help keep bones strong and muscles working their best. With back-to-school germs and busy schedules in full swing, the Nature's Bounty Magnesium Tablets make it easy to stay on top of your wellness. They're third-party lab tested so you can feel confident about what you're taking.
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Bausch + Lomb Lumify Redness Reliever Eye Drops
Havens always has these eye drops on her CVS shopping list, and for good reason. They reduce redness in 60 seconds and help your eyes look whiter and brighter. The effect lasts up to eight hours, making them her reliable everyday essential. If eye redness worsens or lasts more than 72 hours, be sure to contact your healthcare provider.
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Mucinex Fast-Max Severe Congestion and Cough & Nightshift Cold and Flu Combo Pack
Even with the best immune support out there, colds happen. "I try to remind myself not to panic over every sniffle — it's all about doing what we can to stay ahead of the sicknesses," says Havens. "I've got a stash of sick day products ready to go because no one wants to run to the store mid-fever meltdown." One staple is this Mucinex combo pack, which makes it easier to manage cough around the clock, helping you power through the day and get the rest you need at night.
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Bloom Greens & Superfoods Powder
When life gets hectic, Havens still finds space for her own wellness routine. "I always make time to hydrate with water first thing in the morning before my much-needed caffeine," says Havens. She sometimes adds this powder, which includes a ton of good-for-you ingredients like prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, superfoods like spirulina and chlorella, and, of course, fruits and veggies. Together, they help support gut health, promote energy, and ease bloating.
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The Honest Company Sanitizing Alcohol Wipes
Havens is a big fan of The Honest Company's sanitizing essentials. She loves their hand sanitizer because it "smells good, doesn't dry my hands out, and my toddlers actually like using it," she says. She also keeps the brand's fragrance-free sanitizing wipes on hand — made with ethyl alcohol and a touch of aloe — which are perfect for quickly cleaning dirt and grime off little hands.
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Liquid I.V. Sugar Free
Liquid IV is a staple in Havens's medicine cabinet. It's "a must when colds are going around or you just need to catch up on hydration," she says. The citrusy powder boosts water with electrolytes, vitamins, and nutrients to support hydration. Plus, the single-serve packets are easy to stash in your bag for rehydrating on the go.
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e.l.f. Hydrating Satin Camo Concealer
Havens has a trick for getting some time to herself — and that's waking up before anyone else does. "Even just 10 minutes makes a huge difference," she says. But because she's an early bird, she usually reaches for this satin-finish concealer in her makeup routine. The hydrating formula delivers full coverage, resists creasing, and is long-wearing, which is essential since "no one needs to see how tired I actually am," says Havens.
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Dr Teal's Melatonin Sleep Foaming Bath,
Havens's end-of-day routine is just as important as her morning regimen, since it "sets the tone for the next day and makes me feel one step ahead," she says. After straightening up the house and kitchen, she reaches for Dr. Teal's melatonin-infused body-care line, which "smells dreamy and helps me wind down," she says. This foaming bubble bath is infused with relaxing essential oils — think lavender and chamomile — and epsom salts for a super-restorative soak.
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