If You're Determined To Spend Less On Skincare This Year, Reviewers Say These 25 Affordable Products Are Just As Good As Fancier Brands

Buzz Feed

19-02-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
"Works better than my name-brand one that was quadruple the price." — one reviewer on their new $9 hyaluronic acid serum.
1. Anua's Heartleaf Cleanser goes after blackheads and general congestion so aggressively, some reviewers even say you they can see 👀 the dirt and dead skin get flushed out.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "The best cleanser ever! Will clear pores better than any $200 facial treatment. Smells good and washes off easily." — Doc Steven V
" This brand of face wash is better than any other I've had. If it doesn't work for you, then I would try their other formula of oil cleanser, it's the same thing but without the vitamin E which I think some people are sensitive to. It makes my face look brighter and shiny, also controls my oil production. 10/10 do recommend." — Hannah
Get it from Amazon for $17.69.
2. COSRX's Snail Mucin Repairing Essence addresses dullness and dehydration with — yes 😌 — 96% snail sludge that's harvested in a *100%* ethical and environmentally friendly way. Thanks for sharing the goods, friends! 🐌
Here's what BuzzFeed shopping writer Emma Lord has to say:
" I use this on my skin and definitely have noticed results! While it didn't help completely kick my stubborn pre-period hormonal acne, it has done *wonders* with reducing redness on my face, particularly around my nose, and in dealing with my pores. Since I started using it, my primer and foundation goes on a whole lot smoother, and I'm struggling a whole lot less to cover my pores. After using it a few weeks, I read the advice of one reviewer to put this on when your face is slightly moist from washing, rub it in, let it dry, and then put your moisturizer on top of it — I've found that it's what got me the best results!"
Promising review: "The reviews didn't lie! This serum is amazing. It is better than my $125 department store brand! Some people said it felt slimy, but if you've used other serums, there's no difference in texture. I wait till it's dry before adding my moisturizers and am very pleased!" — MAK
Get it from Amazon for $18.95.
3. And the brand's Snail Mucin 92% Moisturizer is the natural next step as it pairs *perfectly* with their repairing essence. 😊 The TL;DR: it can help relieve redness and dryness!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Check it out in action on TikTok!
Promising review:"Ok. Obviously this stuff has an 'ick' factor. Yes, it's slimy. Yes, the idea of snail secretions is really gross. BUT, and it's a BIG BUT, my 61-year-old skin wants it! First application, my skin drank it up! I could feel it just seeping into my skin. Then I noticed how smooth my skin felt. Wow! Instant improvement! Then, is it my hopeful imagination or does my skin feel a bit tighter? Nice!✨ I've been using it for a week now and I can actually see a difference. Fine lines reduced. Healthy glow happening. I get better results with this $11 cream than any of the very fancy products that I received in my monthly beauty product subscription. Incredible! I am a fan! You should try it!😁" — Amy good time Grisham Hill
Get it from Amazon for $21.
4. Good Molecules' Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel targets dark circles with the aid of antioxidant-rich yerba mate, caffeine, peptides, and three forms of hyaluronic acid. Pat in a pea-sized amount and voila!
Good Molecules
Good Molecules is a small biz that creates simple, effective, and *affordable* skincare products using science-backed ingredients.
Promising review: "I see a lot of mixed reviews for this product, but I personally am very happy with it. My biggest reason for applying eye serum is that my lids can tend to get heavy and it make my eyes look more shut and tired. I put this serum in a small amount right under my eye and then on top of my eyelids and it perks them right up. It feels good and moisturizing on the skin, and does not irritate at all. Way better than the high-end I products I have bought for myself in the past. Cannot beat the price for the effect it gives." — Grace
Get it from Amazon for $6.
5. K-Beauty brand The Saem's Iceland Hydrating Eye Stick improves under eye elasticity and keeps bags at bay so no one will be the wiser if you nostalgia-binged The Angry Beavers (my fellow '90s babies — it's on Amazon Prime!!!) into the wee hours of the morning. Plus, it comes in a cutesy polar bear container and, I mean, that's enough to sell me.
How does this cute lil' guy work, you may be asking? It's filled with active marine ingredients like Icelandic moss, xylitol, niacinamide, and adenosine — that's how!
Promising review: " This is just like the Milk Makeup Cooling Water Stick — but I like it better. It's less than half the price, the packaging is cuter, the smaller applicator makes it easy to get under my eyes — and it smells like clean water and rose petals. It's hydrating, cooling, non greasy. It makes you instantly look and feel more awake. Love it." — Janelle Patricia
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (also available in a collagen formula).
6. Avarelle's rounded or extra-large hydrocolloid patches suck all the gunk out of your whiteheads while you sleep. If you have a habit of picking and popping surprise blemishes, keep some of these on hand.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "While I am an avid fan of using reviews and ratings left by fellow Primers, I am not one to stop and leave a review, but this product and the company truly deserve the acknowledgment. These patches work far better than a wide variety of the name-brand and twice-the-price acne patches. All you have to do is wash your face, apply to the area as needed and go to bed! The adhesive keeps it on while the patch works its magic. I love the different sizes and the results are minding blowing. I say this as a person who has tried everything from the $20 patches to 99-cent store varieties. Avarelle, you have made a loyal customer for life, you are one in a million. I wish you nothing but success, you are a diamond in the rough." — Albino&Tamrie
Get a box of 40 round patches for $8.49 or a box of eight extra-large patches for $8.99, both from Amazon.
To learn more, check out our Avarelle pimple patch deep dive.
7. RoC's Retinol Correxion Eye Cream — users swear by it to address puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines. One reviewer says it took 10 years off of their face in just five days!
Reviewers say patience is the key with this cream! It might take a couple of months to see results. (Note: This product contains parabens.)
Promising review:"Some people have under-eye bags, while some of us have undereye hollows. Though these are exact opposite conditions, far too many cosmetics treat these as the same. As someone with the undereye hollows, I had reached the point I was ready to quit trying. I only bought this after reading its reviews on a beauty site. I have to say, this has done EXACTLY what it said it would — and I have started seeing results within the first week. The primary thing I have noticed is that the skin under my eyes has started looking thicker. This, in turn, has both reduced the appearance of the hollows while also minimizing the look of those dark circles. I find I can go without an undereye concealer most of the time. As I have always had the dark circles, all because the veins under my eyes show through some extremely fair, thin, and translucent skin, I am amazed at how well this cream has worked. It does far better than other creams which cost infinitely more." — Rachel K
Get it from Amazon for $10.97+ (available in two sizes).
8. The Face Shop's Rice Water Bright Foaming Facial Cleanser gently cleanses, brightens, and moisturizes without stripping your skin. That said, the ceramide-infused formula is still strong enough to effectively remove waterproof makeup and sunscreen so your skin can enjoy a well-deserved breather.
Promising reviews: "I had tried many face washes and treatments but nothing has made a difference like this rice wash. My face always felt like sand paper and now it feels so smooth — better than a spa treatment that is much more expensive. It's a must-try and lifechanger." — hbbi
" Much cheaper than my old cleanser, yet works better. This cleanser made my face feel clean, yet soft and not dry. Smells a bit like baby shampoo, though, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences. I didn't particularly mind, and the scent didn't linger on my face. (Though it did linger in my bathroom lol). And you get a pretty good amount of product! And a little surprisingly goes a long way. I can squeeze out a dime size amount and have it cover my whole face." — Keith
Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in two sizes).
9. CeraVe's Hydrating Facial Cleanser combines hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin to rid your pores of makeup, dirt, and excess oil while also locking in moisture. It's certainly no secret, but if you've been looking for a sign that it's time to finally try it, consider this it. ⬇
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This face wash was so refreshing. I don't feel like I have to rush to put on moisturizer after washing my face now. I also don't feel all oily... or like my forehead is going to wild out, either from being dry or from oils. I've tried so many expensive face washes up to $90, but this is better than those. I'm grateful I got it." — Sistershopper
Get it from Amazon for $18.39.
10. TruSkin Vitamin C Serum wards off wrinkles, evens out dark spots, and helps brighten your overall complexion with a 🍃plant-based🍃 blend of ingredients including hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, witch hazel, and jojoba oil.
Promising reviews: "Tried the TruSkin Vitamin C serum after noticing all of the positive reviews and the very reasonable pricing. As a 50+ year old experienced facial product user, I have tried different vitamin C formulations, including the Skinceuticals CE Ferulic and the Obagi Professional C-Serum 20%. For my skin, the TruSkin formulation is more effective than either of those product, at approximately 1/8 to 1/16 of the price. It is hard to describe, but this vitamin C tightens and smoothes your skin to an extent that it appears your pores are virtually non existent. In addition, because I sometimes wake up with bags under my eyes, the TruSkin tightens that area enough to remove the bags, almost to the extent that a dedicated product like Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Eye does. Follow this up with a hyaluronic acid or just a solid moisturizer and your skin will look like glass. Highly recommended!" — Dennis
"I love this vitamin C Serum. I t is better than the top expensive brands. It absorbs well. Does not make the skin sticky or orange." — Zara
Get if from Amazon for $21.97+ (available in two sizes).
11. Bio-Oil is sure to come in clutch for anyone who spent their teen years picking and prodding at pimples. If you were left with acne scars and skin damage as a result, it'll swoop in and encourage new collagen production and help with elasticity.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Take it from BuzzFeed shopping writer Emma Lord:
"FWIW re: scars, this stuff really works. I had thyroid surgery a few years ago and Bio-Oil took me from looking like I'd stumbled out of the Red Wedding to virtually no detectable scar within a few months. All I did was apply it once in the morning and once at night."
Promising review:"This oil is completely non-greasy and so good for face and skin! Better than any expensive moisturizer!" — N. Krishna
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes).
12. LilyAna Naturals' Eye Cream targets dark circles and puffiness so everyone in the office will assume you got a full eight hours of sleep and definitely didn't stay up until 3 a.m. scrolling TikTok...
Promising review: "I have purchased so many cosmetics and creams at various price points that I really didn't have high hopes for this one, but I saw so many great reviews that I decided to give it a go. So glad I did, love it! The smallest bit gently patted under and around your eyes, once in the morning before makeup and again before bed, smoothes and moisturizes. I no longer have puffiness under my eyes and the fine lines and wrinkles (that nothing before has helped) are no longer noticeable. This product is a total win for me. It has great ingredients, it has a great price, one bottle lasts me about 4 months, and it works better than even the most expensive eye creams I have tried." — DWP
Get it from Amazon for $16.83+ (available in three sizes).
13. Cosmedica Skincare's Hyaluronic Acid Serum visibly plumps, hydrates, and smoothes skin at SUCH a deliciously affordable price, you won't cry when it's time to repurchase it.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews:"This had made my skin look so nice! Great value for the money. Works better than my name-brand one that was quadruple the price." — JF
"I have oily and sensitive skin. I live in southwest Florida and the heat is humid and during the little cold spell this product seems to activate more aggressively during that time frame. I have large pores from having acne as a teenager and I'm very impressed with this product. The price is astonishing lower than top name brands and better results." — The Mathews
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four sizes).
14. SkinSmart's Antimicrobial Facial Cleanser features a hypochlorous acid formula that removes sweat and dirt and unclogs pores so blemishes won't have time to *think* about forming. Just spritz some on after leaving the gym, on long travel days, or whenever else you're out and about.
PS: It's also great for eczema, itchy rashes, and skin infections!
Promising reviews:"This stuff literally saved my skin! I started using it daily. Especially after gym sessions. My skin started clearing up and I have used it every day and I have never looked back. This has become a staple in my skincare routine. I use it after toner and before serum in the morning and then I spray it after the gym. It's better than the Tower 28 one." — Shay G.
"This products is the best thing ever invented. I spray it every time I sweat, go outside or in an environment that is not its cleanest. It's literally hand sanitizer but for the face. So worth it! This is way better than the expensive versions like Tower 28." — Isabella Hinojosa
Get it from Amazon for $17.46.
15. A Tree of Life's Power Trio is the definition of "more bang for your buck" with vitamin C, retinol, and hyaluronic acid serums for less than $30! When used in tandem, the routine can help reduce dark spots and fine lines, support elasticity, and brighten and hydrate skin.
Be sure to follow the brand's instructions on how to use these together!
Promising review: "This set saved my skin! I was having a year-long battle with some terrible acne that came out of nowhere on my forehead. I have very oily skin and any kind of 'lotion' I was using was making it worse. I started using the retinol and hyaluronic acid all over my forehead every night (the rest of my face was a little sensitive at first, it took a week or two of using it on and off to get used to it), and my acne has disappeared almost entirely. I only get an occasional little spot or two now which I think can be normal! My skin looks amazing and feels hydrated but it's like there's almost nothing on my face. Also, you can't beat the price! It's way better than so many other products I've tried with higher prices! Highly recommend." — AmazonBuyer
Get the pack of three from Amazon for $17.81.
16. Acure's Brightening Facial Scrub — with sea kelp and French green clay cleanses — softens, detoxifies, and evens out skin tone when used three times a week.
Promising review: "I had a very expensive face scrub from a spa that was reformulated. It wasn't as good once they messed with it. I have tried several this year in the hopes of finding one that is halfway decent for my very dry skin. This one is better than the $90 spa one!!!! It gets all the dry skin off while also moisturizing. It doesn't cause any irritation and I glow afterwards. I also looked up this company and a majority of their products are clean and it scored very well on the EWG website that evaluates chemicals in products. I'm hooked." — jess
Get it from Amazon for $10.99.
17. Elizavecca's Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask exfoliates and detoxifies skin with a combination of carbonated water, collagen, green tea, charcoal, and clay. And the fact that it erupts in a face full of selfie-friendly bubbles after three to five minutes? Well, that's just icing on the cake.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This product really works!!! Cleans out my pores better than any high-end product I've bought in the past. Super fun mask with the bubbles! I love the tingly feeling too! Great price point for what it actually does to your skin!" — Alyssa
Get it from Amazon for $9.98.
18. Baebody's Collagen Moisturizer features a vegan formula fulllll of peptides that mimic your skin's natural collagen in order to firm and soften.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: " This is as good as or better than a spa cream I used at three times the price. Went on smoothly, left my skin feeling pampered and not greasy. I use it morning and night. It takes a few days of use for best results, and my skin felt dry the first couple of days. (I was warned of that with the spa cream too.) After a week, my skin looked and felt much healthier. Recommended." — JLB357
Get it from Amazon for $15.95.
19. Differin's Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment promises prescription-strength results without the whole having to pay to go get a prescription from your dermatologist part. How does it work? Well, since you asked, it targets clogged pores and inflammation in order to normalize skin cell turnover.
Differin is a strong acne product, and depending on your skin's sensitivity, you might need to work your way up to daily use. Also! Since retinoids can make you more sensitive to the sun, you should make sure you're applying daily sunscreen while using this product. If you're able to use this at night vs. in the morning, that's awesome — this way, your skin has some time to recover at night and hopefully poses less of an irritation risk the next day!
Promising reviews:"So, this is marketed as anti acne, but I'm 52 and use it for anti-aging. Pea-sized amount applied 1x daily at night for the past few years instead of some OTC retinol does wonders. Avoid the eye area though (outer edges are fine, just not the delicate area). This stuff works better the longer you use, so expect to see little to no change until 3-6 months and then steady decrease in fine lines, texture and pore size. It's a must use for me. Ease into use over a few weeks to avoid excess peeling. Cheaper and less harsh than Retin-A." — CLF
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 30-, 60-, and 90-day supplies).
20. SeoulCeuticals' Dayglow Serum harnesses the power of six potent ingredients — vitamin C, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin e, citrus stem cells, and organic centella — to give you a bright, just-left-the-esthetician glow.
And SeoulCeuticals is a small biz!
Promising review: "This stuff is absolutely fantastic! Don't let the low price throw you off because this can do better, in my opinion, than 'the elephant stuff'! I had those itty bitty bumps right under my bottom lip on my chin and four days after using this stuff with micro-needling, they were gone! I have always taken good care of my skin and now that I am 43, I am just now realizing that I did a better job than I thought I had. I want to KEEP doing doing good stuff for my skin but not pay a fortune. This formula has a fresh orange-like smell to it and goes on very easily with a dropper. It dries within a minute and soaks in completely. I haven't had any irritation from the product but I had been using 'the elephant stuff' with similar ingredients prior to this, so it could be my skin was used to it. Overall, I am EXTREMELY pleased with this purchase." — AudibleAddicted
Get it from Amazon for $18.
21. QRxLabs' Glycolic Acid 20% Resurfacing Pads exfoliate skin to reduce the appearance of scars, bumps, and lines. And, they do so without stripping your skin of essential moisture thanks to the addition of vitamins B5, C, and E.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews:"I have four of their products. I can say that they are all comparable or better than Skinceuticals. The glycolic acid 20% pads have improved my skin texture after about two weeks. It does feel a little sticky on the skin, so I just use it at night and wear the Niacinamide + Retinol serum with the Hydrolific serum under my makeup (yes, both — it's perfect). I'll be a long-time customer of this brand." — Sara D
"I am happy with these pads. My skin looks smoother and pores are smaller after only a few uses. I like these better than some high-end Dr. brands, and the price is much better. Will rebuy." — mustshop
Get it from Amazon for $23.35.
22. Radha Beauty's Rosehip Oil addresses all sorts of skin concerns (think: blemishes, fine lines, age spots, and scarring) thanks to its natural vitamin-, antioxidant-, and essential fatty acid-filled formula. If you're trying to combat more than one issue and want to keep your routine simple, try this baby out!
Promising review: "Cannot say enough wonderful things. The quality of my skin has been overall pretty good (little to no acne, blemishes, etc), but I do have a bit of redness. My skin is dry, aside from my nose being a bit oily, and I decided to use the oil to see if it would help my dryness. While starting to use the oil, the only other product I used was micellar water. Soon after starting it, I began to notice a bit of improvement with redness. I began spraying my face with Avene Thermal Spring Water and applying the oil and the results improved even more. Most recently, I have begun using 100% organic rose water. My skin is softer and redness dramatically decreased. Although the redness isn't 100% gone, the oil has worked better than many other products I have tried, including Avene's products which are notorious for even helping rosacea. Definitely would recommend!" — Jennifer R.
Get it from Amazon for $14.95.
23. Aztec Secret's Indian Healing Clay Mask deeply (and I mean *deeply*) penetrates your pores and vacuums out impurities so well that it's racked up more than 73,000+ 5-star ratings.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I am a professional esthetician and let me tell you — this mask works just as well if not better than some of the professional skincare lines I use! I typically use it when my skin is being particularly unruly and it completely turns my skin around every time. I use it for breakouts but it's also great for skin with texture/wrinkles or if your skin just needs a boost! The price is amazing for what this product does. If you are on the fence — BUY IT! You will not regret it!" — TJ Clarke
Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in two sizes).
24. La Roche-Posay's Hydrating Gentle Cleanser was made for sensitive faces as its milky formula preserves your skin's natural protective barrier and pH level.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "I wanted a more affordable option than the Glossier Milky Gelly Cleanser and this is it! Just as gentle, but genuinely cleans so much better!" — user
"Good texture, easy to use. Face feels clean. Better than my more expensive cleanser from a more well-known company. Love it." — ocean water
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four sizes).
25. Juno & Co's. Clean 10 Cleansing Balm combines the powers of pearl barley and vitamin E to brighten skin, reduce hyperpigmentation, refine texture, and remove impurities (or, say, 10 layers of mascara).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com