33 Products To Help You Improve Your Skincare Routine On A Budget

Yahoo

25-02-2025

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.
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Be sure to follow the brand's instructions on how to use these together!
Promising review: "I'm in my mid-30s and realized it was time to step up my skincare game. I always looked younger than my age, but recently that's worn off a bit and makeup remover wipes and argan oil at night weren't cutting it. I happened across this trio and, for the price, thought I'd give it a try. My skin feels AMAZING!!! This trio is worth every penny. I don't even feel like I have to wear makeup all the time anymore and when I do, it goes on so much smoother. This is definitely going to be part of my routine for years to come!" —Caitlin
Get the pack of three from Amazon for $23.99.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This was recommended to me by a dermatologist friend with beautiful skin. She uses CeraVe cleanser once in the morning, once at night, with the regular CeraVe lotion, and I was so jealous of her skin and tired of buying expensive junk that promises the moon, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I'm very glad I did! Full disclosure: I'm in my 30s with combination skin, blotchiness issues, occasional spots of acne, and deal with psoriasis on my face. This cleanser/lotion combo works beautifully. My skin is cleansed and refreshed, looks great, and never feels dry. It feels great to wash my face, too, not like I'm doing a chemical peel or scrubbing a layer of skin off. This is the One." —E. Giffen
Get it from Amazon for $15.48.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Psst — This is the moisturizer I swear by for my dry, sensitive skin! I put it on as the last step in my morning and night skincare routine and it makes my face feel soft and plump for hours.
Promising review: "I have extremely dry skin that's also acne-prone and sensitive. That's a tough combination to treat because most products that heavily moisturizer also cause acne. This lotion is by far the best I've used! I can slather it on as much as I want without any irritation or acne and it soaks right in and soothes my dry skin. I'm a lifetime customer for sure." —Laura K.
Get it from Amazon for $17.78.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "My skin dries out severely during the winter all the time, and I have to constantly use Vaseline to keep it moisturized (normal cream doesn't work on me). Imagine my surprise when my SO tried to put snail goo on me, eww!! I resisted for weeks refusing to use this product as she constantly vouched for its abilities. After a month I finally gave in, and boy it is amazing! My hands feel more moisturized than ever for longer and it doesn't leave a disgusting greasy feel as Vaseline. Take it from a once non-believer, you have to try this. Even if it doesn't work for you, you paid a fraction of what you would've paid for any other name-brand moisturizers." —Kyoko Ozaki
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
SeoulCeuticals is a small business!
Promising reviews: "Perfect gel texture moisturizer for my combination skin. It absorbs quickly and leaves skin with a nice finish (not sticky or greasy). It layers really well under sunscreen and makeup too! It really reminds me of the Drunk Elephant Protini moisturizer but one-fourth the price! Will buy again!!" —AG
"Smells just like the Sunday Riley moisturizer! Super moisturizing and smells amazing!" —Emma Nava
Get it from Amazon for $20.
www.amazon.com
BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Rachel Dunkel looooves this stuff: "Not my skin above, but I 100% vouch for this liquid exfoliant's amazingness. It's helped to even out my skin tone and control the hormonal acne around my mouth. It's the only thing I feel like has actually helped start to slow down those breakouts, and for that, I'm forever thankful. I apply a thin layer in the morning and at night after cleansing and before moisturizing."
Promising review: "GAME-CHANGER! I thought I had tried EVERYTHING on the market for congested skin (I don't get breakouts anymore, but very clogged pores along T-zone) and enlarged pores. I've only been using it for a week and just at night and the difference in blackheads along my nose and enlarged/congested pores in almost unbelievable! This just might be my very favorite Amazon purchases EVER!" —AJDEX
Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in two sizes).
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Peach Slices is part of Peach & Lily, a skincare brand founded by celebrity esthetician Alicia Yoon that specializes in toxin-free, vegan beauty products made with recyclable packaging. The company plants a tree with each order, and a portion of its proceeds have gone to to Restore NYC since 2016.
Check out a TikTok of the acne spot dots in action.
Promising reviews: "This brand is so affordable and works just the same as the more expensive brands. I go through them so quickly so this is a plus! I'm generally a picker at my zits, but if I can get to one of these dots in time I save my face a lot of irritation and pain." —Savannah Wilson
"So I have been usually these for about a year now. I have tried and a few others, none I feel really worked or worked as well. This product is MY GO-TO and I have turned so many others to it." —Melodie G
Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for $4.88.
Amazon, Target
Black Girl Sunscreen is a Black woman-owned business whose sunscreen is designed not to leave a white cast on melanated skin. It's ultra sheer, water-resistant, and super nourishing thanks to its all-natural ingredients. Plus, it's cruelty-free! They also make sunscreen for kids with SPF 50.
Promising review: "I've tried many, many sunscreens that claim to blend and not leave a white cast when applied. This was so much better than I expected. A nickel-size amount goes a long way and blends into a smooth, dewy finish. I also didn't notice a scent so there was no worries of walking around smelling like sunscreen." —Target Customer
Get a 2-ounce bottle from Amazon for $10.96 or a 3-ounce bottle from Target for $15.99.
www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the sunscreen stickers in action.
Promising review: "Just used this product on a recent trip to Florida. I made sure to wash my skin before application, and it lasted about two days on my skin without coming off. When out of the sun or behind UV glass, like in a car, the spot turns clear. As soon as you step into the sun it turns purple. If you use a sunblock, it starts to become clear or semi clear. After being on the beach and having gone into the water a few times, the spot started seeing purple, and I applied sunblock again. In a minute, the spot was clear again. So this is very effective In alerting me when to reapply." —RGTorque
Get a 16-count pack from Amazon for $15.99 (also available in larger packs).
www.amazon.com
Reviewers say it's *especially* effective for sensitive, acne-prone skin and oily/combination skin types (though reviewers with dry skin report great results too). And multiple people compare it to SkinCeuticals' vitamin C serum — which, if you're unaware, retails for a whopping $182, folks.
Promising reviews: "I absolutely LOVE this serum. I was spending an absurd amount of money on SkinCeuticals products. This serum is way better. My skin is clearer and more bright. The only negative about this serum is the smell. It's awful! I will tolerate it and continue to use it because of its effectiveness and price!" —Tish
"I am a licensed esthetician who deals with hormonal cystic acne that leaves scarring on my sensitive skin. My skin has improved so much since I started using this product!!! For the first couple of weeks, my skin purged out any underlying blemishes but afterward was clearer + smoother than I've seen it in YEARS! I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!! I love that it not only targets my acne scarring with the vitamin C but also soothes the redness with the niacinimide, has retinol, AND helps minimize my blackheads and pore size with the salicylic acid. 😭 It is the perfect product for my sensitive oily acne prone skin!" —Jackie
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
Good Light
Because of the super-hydrating ingredients in this, you might feel like you don't even need a moisturizer after — but if you have super-dry skin, particularly during the winter months, you can follow with a gentle moisturizer.
Good Light is a Brooklyn, New York-based small biz that creates vegan, cruelty-free beauty products designed for people of any gender.
Promising review: "This is honestly one of the best products I've used in forever. I look forward to using it every night, and then use the back of my washed clean hands to softly bounce it against my plump, dewy, hydrated cheek to feel how silky and supple it is. Words can't really explain the feel of this, it just needs to be experienced. It's very light and envelops your face in only what I can describe as a dewy gossamer veil of supreme hydration. Hyping this forever and all the evers. This brand and mission rules and I'm so glad they exist. Fan for life 💖" —Angela S.
Get it from Good Light for $28.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I swear by this serum, it made my dark spots disappear. and I've been using this on and off for about four months…because I'm not consistent with my skincare lol. These photos are only about a month apart..as you can see the dark spot on my cheek completely disappeared. i don't have photos from when I first began using it but there's a huge improvement!" —Minah
Get it from Amazon for $16.01.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Best eye cream I have ever used!!! Better than and Clinique or Lancôme, for less than a third of the price with the amount you get. It is rich enough to do the job but not greasy. It doesn't interfere with concealer, yet softens lines. Love it so much!!!!" —Lory Lacy
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three sizes and a two-pack).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
I have these myself and personally love them! If I've had a particularly exhausting few days, I love to pop on these bad boys and let my undereyes drink in the hydration. The cooling sensation feels incredible, and I look and feel so much more refreshed after (and like a zombie). And you get 20 pairs in one pack, which feels like a great deal!
Promising review: "This is really an amazing product, for such a good price too. These feel so refreshing under my eyes. It's really relaxing having them on and just letting them do their magic! I don't have so much of the puffy eyes but I have been noticing slight dark circles lately. Just after using this one time, I can really see a difference under my eyes and these left my under eyes so soft!" —Kayleena
Get 20 pairs from Amazon for $14.95 (also available in three other sets).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This hydrating eye stick does wonders for my puffy eyes in the morning. It smells amazing and it glides on so smooth my husband even started to use it. We're in our mid-30s now and need all the help we can get and I would absolutely recommend this product. I have purchased it a number of times now." —Alexis Rheanna
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It's great for people with oily skin and hyperpigmentation when used as a face mask. Combine the powder with apple cider vinegar for the best results!
Promising review: "I bought this as a last hope for cystic acne. I bought raw apple cider vinegar to mix with the clay powder because I heard that worked best for people experiencing skin problems. This mask had been such a life saver. I'm not sure words can describe how impressed I am with this healing clay mask. Since my skin has been through hell and I've literally tried everything, it's pretty resilient, so I've been using this mask every night for the last four days. It's not nearly as drying as I thought it would be so that hasn't been an issue. But the mask has dried up everything and I have no new breakouts. I was so happy that I cried. If I could give this product a million stars, I would!" —Afton StAmour
Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in two sizes).
www.amazon.com
It's famous for the fact that you can use it anywhere on your body, making it a true holy grail beauty product.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord uses this on the reg: "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: "Acne scars? Read this. I found out about this product while scrolling through TikTok last week. It came highly recommended, so I decided to look up the price on Amazon. After reading several reviews, I figured I might as well try it out. Today is the fourth day I use the product on my face. My skin looks dewy and nice. The discoloration on my cheeks from a few years old acne scars is improving. My skin looks younger — it's hard to describe, but I can see a difference. It looks less rough. I've been using it morning and night." —Yasmin Rodriguez
Get it from Amazon for $10.25.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
BTW, people also love this for helping heal piercings.
Promising reviews: "I developed hormone-induced perioral dermatitis on my face for the second time in my 30s. It does not go away or improve w/o intervention. Unlike the first time, I didn't want to use a topical steroid because I'm currently breastfeeding a newborn, so I decided to give this a try. It improved my symptoms after a couple of weeks of daily once or twice use, and by the fourth week, the dermatitis was completely cleared! Holy grail skincare product." —Lydia
"Just an FYI, this product has the exact same ingredients as the Tower 28 spray! It's been absolutely amazing at reducing acne and texture! It's also so refreshing and gives a lil' glow. So in love!" —BK
Get an 8-ounce bottle from Amazon for $15.99 (available in five sizes and in packs of two and four).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "10/10. I bought it after watching many TikToks about this product. I'm so glad I did. It made my face really even and I rarely get acne anymore." —Julie
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in two sizes).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Reviewers say they use this as a step in their double cleansing routine, which is a method of cleansing your face twice — first with an oil-based cleanser, and then again with a water-based cleanser to help get all the gross stuff out of your pores.
Promising review: "This is my first time ordering an oil-based cleanser and I'm so glad I purchased this one. I originally saw this product on TikTok and wanted to see what the hype was all about. After using the cleanser on my dry face for 2–3 minutes, I could visibly see my white- and blackheads on my fingers. I was a little hesitant to try oil cleansing because I have acne-prone skin. However, my face has never looked better. After each use, my face is as soft as a baby's bottom, and my scarring doesn't look as deep! The cleanser has a light, clean scent. Not super strong! I am currently pairing this cleanser with the Anua heartleaf soothing toner to achieve glass skin. #glassskinera" —Myshel Cagle
Get it from Amazon for $17.69.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Note: It shouldn't be used on your face, but your arms, legs, and the rest of your body are fair game!
My former colleague Jasmin Sandal vouches for this mitt: "I can attest, this thing is like witchcraft in a mitt. I use this weekly to rid my early-30s skin from dullness and dryness. And I'm not joking, my arms, legs, tummy, bum, literally everywhere this thing graces becomes 10x smoother. It's now part of my routine before I shave — and if you think a razor can give you slick skin...paired with THIS, oh boy, you haven't seen (or felt) anything yet.
"Is it gross to see a week's worth of skin trickle off your body and into the tub with you? Yes. But is it oh-so-satisfying to get a closer shave? You betcha. Oh, and for me, I feel like this has stopped ingrowns in their tracks, too, because it lifts layers of skin before they harden and become more of an ish'. Basically, if you're looking to up your shower time routine, give this a go. Being gentle for the first couple of uses is key, and then once your skin becomes more tolerant, you can increase the pressure you apply. I can't wait for you to see how you and your skin like it!"
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (also available as a pair).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Yes, I bought this because of TikTok. I was not expecting to like it, I figured it was like all the other cleansing balms I've tried...oh boy was I WRONG! This cleanser is so perfect. I don't need a second cleanser, I don't need to remove it with a cloth. It works so well on its own. Like it blew me away, it is perfect for my skin type. I have dehydrated, acne prone, premature aging 33-year-old skin. It leaves my skin feeling smooth, but I always follow up with my moisturizer." —Cami
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
These are 100% USDA-certified biobased, meaning they're made entirely from plant-based materials and better for the environment than your regular disposable wipes.
Clean Skin Club is a small business that launched in 2019 to create innovative natural skincare products.
Promising reviews: "Starting in my 30s, I had developed some acne, and not just around that time of month. I read your bath towels can develop bacteria every few days if they're not washed, and so putting that on your face can cause acne. That's why I bought these towels! I use them after my skincare routine on my face, and then again, to clean up our sink (yay for double use)! They have cleaned up my skin significantly, and I highly recommend these!" —Jaclyn O
"I've dealt with mild acne and terrible scarring since I was in 8th grade. I'm 30 now. I haven't had one pimple since I've switched to using these. I use the same towel for about 3-4 days, which is 6-8 uses, so it's not even necessary to use a new one every day / every use. They're really wonderful." —Dami
Get a 50-pack from Amazon for $17.95 (also available in other packs).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The face roller is reusable! Just twist the ring to pop out the stone, then wash it with a mild soap/cleanser and let it air dry after every use.
Promising review: "First off, if you have extremely oily skin, this. is. it. I was so tired of getting blotting powder/wipes. It felt wasteful and always left residue on my face. I saw this on TikTok and NEEDED it. It was backordered, but then I got an email saying it was in stock, and I was SO excited. Not only is it affordable, but it's washable, which helps you save money and be less wasteful." —Kelsey B.
Get it from Amazon for $8.97.
www.amazon.com, Kayla Suazo / BuzzFeed
Pro tip if you have extra dry skin: Apply this formula to damp skin, let it dry, and then use your daily moisturizer to really lock in the effects.
Promising review: "I've tried all the luxury brands there are, but Hydro Boost beats them all. There is no sense in spending your hard earned money on more expensive moisturizers when this one right here is BETTER and more affordable. It lasts forever, the scent is incredible but not too strong, and you can actually SEE and FEEL a difference in your skin every single day. Can't live without this stuff." —Caitlyn Minda
Get it from Amazon for $16.19.
To learn more, check out BuzzFeed's Neutrogena Hydro Boost review.
www.instagram.com, Sephora
Here are some other skincare products designed to help you get a more even skin tone, BTW.
This solution uses a mixture of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid. The first two are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that exfoliate the skin's outer layer while the last one, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), reduces pore congestion.
Promising review: "This is my new favorite peel product! In 10 minutes, my skin looked glowy and smooth, and felt soft and even. There was zero irritation, just healthy, happy skin. Babyfacial works, but always left my skin red, extra oily, and hot to the touch. Not this product though! Not to mention it literally costs less than 10% of what Babyfacial costs." —ClaireEB
Get it from Sephora for $9.50.
www.amazon.com
Just presoak feet, apply the gel, let sit for 5–10 minutes, and rinse! It's recommended you go back in afterward with a foot file just to make sure no residue or dead skin is left behind.
Promising review: "This is a miracle worker. It is powerful, so be sure to follow the directions as you only apply to areas needing treatment, not over the entire foot surface or bottom of it. Usually, I use cuticle softener to soak feet in and remove calluses, however now I'll use this first, then follow up with a cuticle softener soak. Takes all the scrubbing out of the pedicure and only need now to freshen surface skin." —Rebecca E
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I was BLOWN AWAY by this product! I have dealt with calloused, cracked heels for as long as I can remember. Some things have worked better than others in the past, but I've been in a rut of bad feet for the past several months. The foot rasp/file/scraper that I had was not even coming close to doing the job, and it is a similar style to this one, so I wasn't getting my hopes up for this one. Based on the reviews and before/after pics, I had to give it a shot though! I gave it a go before getting in the shower and was just so impressed with how easy to use it was and how incredibly it worked. It took less than 15 minutes between both feet and VERY LITTLE pressure/effort was required. This product gave me better results than most professional pedicures I've had!" —Halk
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "This is not a review that states, 'I got results overnight.' My review is from using hyaluronic acid serum every day, twice a day, for the past 3 years. My aesthetician recommended it, because I have large pores and some sun spots, which have gotten less over time. It may be just genetics, but at 39 I don't have any wrinkles yet [see picture, above]. There is a lot of research that states hyaluronic acid, when used consistently, can have great results." —soniafwny
"So far I have used about four bottles of this product. I use it like a serum and put a few drops on my face and décolleté before I apply moisturizer in the morning or night cream. I see the same outstanding results I did see with the — just for a fraction of the price!!!" —nana bendick
Get it from Amazon for $17.98+ (available in two sizes).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
I use brushes like these and swear by them! My lips are chronically dry and chapped, and using an exfoliating brush before I put on lip balm or lipstick makes all the difference in how they look and feel.
Promising review: "These work really well with my lip scrub. At my work it's either hot or cold or dry or humid, and my lips are always dry and chapped. I use the brush with my scrub and it keeps my lips softer." —Kim F. Pettigrass
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $3.82. And you might want to consider pairing it with this effective little lip scrub, if you're in the market.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
For reference, the Laneige lip mask contains 20 grams of product, while each of these measures 5 grams, or 15 grams for the entire set. So even with product sizes taken into account, these are a much better deal!
Promising review: "[Alternative] for the Laneige lip mask. This is the most moisturizing lip treatment in the market. When my lips started getting dry due to the cold season I was thinking of buying the Laneige lip mask, but it's soooo expensive. This is a fraction of the cost and feels just the same. Very good product." —Riya
Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in five combos).
Sephora
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Melanie Aman says, "An oil is always the last step in my skincare routine, and The Ordinary's squalane oil is a personal fave. I use products with retinol weekly, so this oil plays a big role in keeping my skin hydrated and happy (retinol can often cause irritation and dry skin). I squeeze two to three drops into my palm — that's all you need! — warm it in my hands, and press it on my face, making sure every inch is covered. It definitely feels like I have an oil on my face but it's not suffocating or super greasy. Before I started using this, I would notice flaky, dry patches develop throughout the day. My skin was also a bit sensitive during cleansing. But since I've started using this consistently, my skin is much plumper, much glowier, and much more hydrated."
Promising review: "I am so obsessed with this oil. I have combination skin and it does not make my skin greasy or overproduce sebum. This oil is so lightweight that you can add serums and creams on top without making your skin feel packed. It hasn't made my skin break out at all and lasts for a long time. I purchased my second bottle; this is an essential in my skincare routine." —ashleymendoza
Get it from Sephora for $10.40.
Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed
Facetory is a Korean brand that launched in 2016, and all of their products are made in Korea. The masks are also cruelty-free and free of sulfates, parabens, fragrances, and synthetic colors.
This sheet mask collection has been one of my favorite self-care purchases. Each one has a few key benefits, which are detailed on the back along with the main ingredients (plus a super cute illustration with directions on how to use, in case you've never used sheet masks before). I leave each mask on for ~15 minutes, then pat the remaining product into my skin until it absorbs completely, and follow with a to lock it all in. Doing this once or twice a week has made my nighttime skincare routine feel so much more luxurious, and at just over $1 per mask, I think it's a sweet deal for something that's not only great for my skin but a mood-booster as well!
Get the variety pack from Amazon for $26.90 (also available in other packs).
Note: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.