We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. A FaceTory detox mask that draws icky impurities to the surface thanks to a blend of charcoal powder and volcanic ash extract before promptly allowing you to say ~sayonara~ to enlarged pores, a greasy t-zone, and pesky breakouts.
Promising review: "Really great quality and the perfect before bedtime sheet mask. The quality of ingredients is really evident with noticeable results and the sheet mask itself comes with extra serum in the pouch." —Mrs. Munster
Get a pack of five from Amazon for $8.25.
2. A vegan Acure brightening scrub made with argan extract and chlorella gentle enough to exfoliate acne-prone skin without causing further inflammation or redness. It's also an absolute 🌟 superstar 🌟 at fading scars and brightening your skin.
Psst, this cult-favorite and cruelty-free product has over 2,000 positive reviews!
Promising review: "Are you kidding? Why didn't I find this sooner? THIS STUFF IS AMAZING. I'm 34, and never had a blemish... until I hit 30. Hormonal cystic acne has plagued my chin and neck for years. I've tried everything from washes, scrubs, microdermabrasion, facials, masks, even antibiotics as a last resort. NOTHING cleared my skin like this! I've been using this product for only two weeks and my skin is clearing beautifully, plus my old acne scars disappearing. People are making comments about how fresh, young, and healthy my skin looks. Its a small tube, but you only need a pea-sized amount really." —emhart16
Get it from Amazon for $7.64.
3. A Yes To cleansing stick you'll want to add to your morning routine, as this stuff works to ~wake up~ your skin as effectively as a cup of caffeine. This gentle scrub and cleanser efficiently gets rid of all icky impurities, while the coconut, avocado, and meadow foam seed oils work to leave your complexion feeling hydrated and supple.
Promising review: "LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! Removes makeup, softens skin, smells invigorating. And I love the rollup dispenser!" —Kelly Rogers
Get it from Amazon for $4.74.
4. A hypoallergenic Bioderma foaming gel begging to become a part of your world (or at the very least, part of your nightly skincare routine). This cleanser will actually help feel all that built-up oil, dirt, and miscellaneous gunk be exhumed from your pores.
Psst, this cleanser is available in a pump and a tube bottle!
Promising review: "This is the best face wash I have ever used. My skin has always had issues with oiliness, and you can feel your face healing when you use this — like you can feel the oil being lifted away! It's awesome. My skin has never looked better, and I've even made it through law school final exams without any stress blemishes." —Jsal
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
5. A Neutrogena oil-free moisturizer that enlists the help of neoglucosamine (a skin resurfacing and brightening ingredient), moringa seed, and vitamins c and e to gradually brighten your skin. The best part? It's even got SPF30 which means you won't have to worry about adding that annoying-but-necessary step into your morning routine.
I personally use this product and can attest to how amazing it is — super hydrating, I don't have to worry about SPF, and it doesn't irritate my skin at all.
Promising review: "I like that it does not feel oily upon application but still has good SPF protection." —SHOGHIG ANDAKIAN
Get it from Amazon for $9.79.
6. A Cerave exfoliating cleanser gentle enough for even the most sensitive acne-prone complexions. Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin d pick up dead skin cells (the kind that cause gunk build-up) to prevent acne outbreaks but is still non-comedogenic, so your complexion won't feel overly tight *or* break out even further.
Promising review: "Best cleanser I have ever used!!! And believe me, I've tried everything... My skin feels really clean. I noticed a difference in my skin immediately! I like that it is foaming/sudsy and a little goes a long way. Never over dries. Since I've become diligent about washing every night and morning, I have zero blemishes. Great cleanser for sensitive, sometimes dry, acne-prone skin. I also suffer from KP (keratosis pilaris) on the back of my arms and this cleanser has cleared it up almost completely. I will never buy anything else! This is my go-to, holy grail cleanser." —Mrs852
Get it from Amazon for $9.88.
7. An oil-free Physicians Formula serum that contains goji and kakadu plum (ingredients that contain your daily skincare dose of antioxidants and vitamin c). This combo will give your complexion a healthy, dewy glow and wears well under makeup.
Promising review: "This product is awesome! It's milky in consistency and has a slight sheen without being glittery. It dries quickly and isn't sticky, plus it gives me a wonderful glow and a lot of moisture." —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
8. Bliss makeup wipes you'll want for those nights in which you are way too tired to cleanse, tone, and moisturize. These oil-free wipes contain aloe, chamomile, and marshmallow root to both cleanse *and* hydrate your face at the same darn time. (If you have sensitive skin, you'll want to try these ASAP.)
9. A cotton and bamboo Ecotools cleansing brush capable of clearing away every speck of dirt, oil, and makeup residing on your face. Just pair this with your face wash for a deep pore cleanse and facial message all wrapped up in one.
Promising review: "Among all the tools I've tried, this one stands out because of some unique features. What makes this brush work great for me is the combination of these features: short, soft, and densely packed bristles. This makes the brush both non-irritating and deep cleansing. It easily removes my medium weight makeup, but at the same time, never feels too rough on the delicate under-eye area. I also think the handle-free ergonomic body adds to its functionality, allowing you to apply even pressure on the tool. Plus the flat base allows it to stand (versus lying down) and dry super fast." —VeloCat
Get it from Amazon for $3.59.
10. A chamomile, menthol, and aloe Burt's Bees deep-cleansing cream perfect for sensitive skin and all skin types: dry, oily, and combination. The hint of menthol will cool and soothe your skin while chamomile and aloe provide that squeaky deep clean.
11. Cotton Mediheal sheet masks packed with ingredients like willow bark, rosemary, tea tree oil, chamomile, and asiatic pennywort — all of which work in perfect harmony to exfoliate and stop pimple problems in their tracks while simultaneously calming down your complexion.
This mask even has a built-in timer of 15 minutes! The logo will begin to appear once the time has come to remove it, which is pretty freakin' brilliant.
Promising review: "This is probably my favorite sheet mask for calming my skin when I have inflamed acne lesions. When I have active breakouts, I like to leave this mask on until it dries completely, which seems to help reduce the size and redness of acne much more than simply leaving the mask on for 20 minutes." —clinton
Get a pack of five from Amazon for $9.95.
12. A vegan and cruelty-free nügg lip scrub to rid your pout of dead cells and flaky skin by way of a cocoa butter, jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed wax, and sugar formula. It also has a delicious chocolate mint scent which reminds me to remind you that no, this product is not edible.
Promising review: "LOVE LOVE LOVE this lip scrub! Seriously could not find anything that worked on my chapped lips, but I used this a few times and it worked like a charm!" —Jesse Kerr
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in two flavors).
13. A rosewater Mario Badescu facial spray with so many uses, it's hard to keep track of 'em all! This can set and refresh makeup, give foundation a dewy appearance, add refreshing hydration to dull-looking skin, and help keep breakouts at bay. And the scent? Freakin' divine.
This facial spray is packed with aloe, herbs, and rose water to give a glowy, dewy look that will make even a full face of foundation look au naturale.
Promising review: ""The redness on my cheeks has gone way down and I have a much more even complexion after just four days. I've been lightly spraying this on my face after cleansing with the Mario Badescu Rice Milk Carnation Cleanser and again first thing upon waking. It smells very nice and magically fixes skin problems — even my acne has cleared up! I'm very impressed." —Terryoke
Get it from Amazon for $7+.
14. Tony Moly pore strips that act like magnets for trapped gunk and deep-rooted oil. These amazingly satisfying strips use eggshell powder and charcoal to reduce the appearance of blackheads and remove a significant amount of them after ~just~ one use.
Promising review: "Holy mother of pearl, you should see what these things pull out of my husband's nose. He has rather large pores on his nose and uses these about once a month. (He should really be doing it more often.) Wash your face first, exfoliate a little bit and make sure you get your nose and the strip adequately wet. Then be prepared to see dirt from your elementary school playground get pulled out of your pores." —Debbie in WS
Get it from Amazon for $6.50.
15. A Garnier under-eye cream roller with cooling caffeine, mint, and vitamin c to help prevent and reduce the appearance of dark circles, because no one needs to know that we binged The Office yet again last night and got about one minute of sleep. Reviewers even swear that this tiny tool is an absolute beast with morning puffy eyes.
Promising review: "If you have puffy or heavy bags under your eyes, use this. I've tried others products and all were epic fails. This is the only one that has worked." —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $8.59.
16. A concentrated O'Keeffe's moisturizing cream ideal for dry, cracked hands in desperate need of some TLC. This water, glycerin, and paraffin formula is used (and loved) by everyone from construction workers to people with eczema.
Promising review: "Does this product need another five star review? Nope. But I had to. This is truly a miracle product!! I have the driest skin in the winter, to the point where I will look down at my hands and notice that they're bleeding from all the various cracks. This product made a major difference after just one use! Here I am weeks later and my hands have no cracks, look younger, and are no longer red." —P. Neuber
Get it from Amazon for $7.29.
17. The Inkey List hyaluronic acid, a serum that laughs (scoffs, really) in the face of dryness and fine lines. This works OT to plump and brighten, all while evening out your complexion. And it’s less than $10? Pinch me. I must be hallucinating.
The Inkey List (a UK-based brand) is Sephora's first foray into *actually* affordable skincare and MY OH MY, it is good.
Promising review: "A great quality, super reasonable hyaluronic perfect for a daily dose of hydration. An absolute essential!! Locks in and attracts moisture to keep your skin super plump and refined." —Asvesty
Get it from Sephora for $7.99.
18. A C.O. Bigelow night balm because beauty sleep is not a drill. This eight-hour recovery shea butter formula simply needs to be applied before hitting the hay — and by the time you're pressing snooze on your iPhone alarm, your lips will be totally moisturized.
Promising review: "My favorite lip balm! I'm currently on Accutane and this is the best lip balm I have tried for my dry, chapped lips! It has been a life saver during this treatment. It has a very thick consistency which helps it stay on longer and absorb slower, especially when applied overnight. It's the only lip balm that keep my lips moisturized overnight so that they're not peeling and cracking when I wake up in the morning." —Sunny
Get it from Amazon for $8.68.
19. An oil-free, soap-free La Roche-Posay foaming gel to kick both your acne and your oily t-zone to the curb. For a matte complexion that stays matte throughout the entire day, this morning and night cleanser is destined to become your new holy grail.
Promising review: "This stuff WORKS. I have very oily acne-prone skin and have tried all sorts of things with minimal success. I have been washing my face twice a day with this stuff for about two weeks now and the difference is incredible! I haven't gotten any new large pimples and everything I had has cleared up. When I first started washing my face with this, I would use it at night and in the morning the sores on my face were way less red and inflamed than when I went to bed. Super impressive." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
20. A Pond's cold cream cleanser that is *the* definition of tried-and-true. This inexpensive gem of a product is hypothetically the only item you'll need to stash in your skincare travel bag: a few quick swipes will dissolve makeup and give your skin a hefty dose of moisture.
Promising review: "This is my favorite cleanser of all time. I have EXTREMELY dry skin and even the most 'gentle' cleansers will make me dry up like a lizard and peel. However, I discovered Pond's a few years back and it is a miracle worker. A little goes a very long way and because it's a cream, it applies like a lotion that sits on the skin, and is super easy to remove without tugging at my skin. And the best part..it doesn't dry me out. It also works EXTREMELY well to remove makeup. I hate liquid eye makeup removers because they always leave me feeling greasy, but this stuff removes even the hardest of liners, foundations, you name it, but is still gentle enough to use around my eyes." —HaleyDanielleReviewer
Get it from Amazon for $5.29.
21. A SkinFood foaming cleanser guaranteed to become an ~egg-cellent~ addition to your skincare routine. This face wash contains Albumen (AKA egg whites) to help naturally tighten your pores and get rid of excess oil, all while a rich lather turns wiping away your foundation into an act of luxury.
Promising review: "Just a tiny bit of this wonderful cleansing cream is all you need for the foaming magic to begin. The scent has nothing to do with eggs at all; it has a fresh lovely scent, and it leaves my skin feeling clean, not dry or oily. It's just perfect. I'm so happy with my purchase." —Nina Catanese
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
22. An oil-free La Roche-Posay micellar water that is tough on makeup but gentle on sensitive skin, meaning you won't experience extreme dryness/a sudden acne outburst whenever you take off your foundation pre-zzz's.
Promising review: "This is by far the best Micellar water I've ever used. I was previously using different brand and while both were ok, this removed all my waterproof makeup, cleaned all the dirt on my face, and left my skin feeling soft and ready for makeup. Plus, no oily residue!" —Nicole
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
23. A non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic Aveeno daily scrub packed with soy extract to exfoliate (tldr; goodbye dullness and dead skin) while an impressive blend of jojoba and castor oils leave you soothed and moisturized. Victory! The best of both worlds is yours.
Promising review: "I have extremely sensitive, acne-prone skin and many products just make my skin worse. This is one of the few scrubs that I can actually use every day and it does NOT break me out or irritate my skin. Plus, it really does help to gradually brighten my complexion and give a more radiant look. It will not happen overnight, but with regular use, you will see a difference. It took a couple months for me with daily usage (once a day - most of the time in the shower). I love the consistency and how gentle the scrub is. I don't have to worry about it agitating my skin or any active breakouts." —ChalmondFashew
Get it from Amazon for $5.64.
24. Solaroil to banish the bane of your existence — weak and brittle nails with cuticles that look like they were mauled by an animal. This formula is so effective, I guess you can say it really nails it. Eh?
Just massage this oil into your nails and cuticles every night before going to bed. With daily use, your nails will begin to grow and strengthen (seriously, just read the overwhelmingly positive reviews) and your ripped-up cuticles will begin to heal/not look completely terrible.
Promising review: "HOLY GRAIL PRODUCT. All my life, I've had super weak and brittle nails that would instantly break the second they grew out a tiny bit. This oil has changed EVERYTHING!! I’m shocked. I noticed after about a week of nightly use that my nails are growing (fast) and not breaking." —K. Black
Get it from Amazon for $8.50.
25. A KOSE oil cleanser that may confuse you at first ("But why would I put more oil on oily skin!" "That makes no sense!"), but bear with me — your skin is overproducing oil because it's in desperate need of moisture. This stuff? It'll remove all traces of makeup and built-up gunk while still giving your complexion a dose of hydration needed to halt all that excess sebum.
Promising review: "This is a holy grail cleanser that saved my skin from cystic acne and blackheads. A full bottle of this cleansing oil lasted me about a little over seven months. For reference, I have super oily skin that is also very sensitive and acne-prone. Although this particular brand does contain mineral oil, I didn't have any reactions to it since I was able to lightly rub the oil onto my entire face and gently take off all of my makeup at once! It emulsifies into a milky wish liquid upon contact with water. I recommend only using 1-3 pumps and gently sweeping in wiper-blade motions, not rubbing too hard on your skin. Since this is oil, it miraculously lifts and pulls on the dirt and debris trapped inside my (huge) pores and made my blackheads nearly invisible for most of the time after cleansing." —SAPfan
Get it from Amazon for $9.85.
26. A Nivea intensive cream capable of ~duping~ you into thinking it's a much more expensive brand (alas, it is actually affordable). This rich formula melts into your skin and is the perfect overnight treatment for anyone with dry, patchy skin.
Promising review: "I was under the impression that cremes like Nivea are extremely oily and sticky. But dude, I love this. I was in Philadelphia and it was really cold there, so my skin ended up getting extremely dry. I stayed with a friend who had this, and I tried it out because I couldn't find any other moisturizer in her bathroom. And boy oh boy, my skin was rejuvenated after just one use. Like, I am not kidding — my skin immediately felt super hydrated and moisturized, almost like the moisture had reached to the deepest of layers my face! The immediate effect is slightly sticky, but just give it some time to absorb. Please give it a try, you won't regret it." —A. K. Singh
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
27. An Alba Botanica facial cleanser that sees a bright future ahead (by bright, I mean your complexion). This hypoallergenic wash enlists the help of pineapple enzymes to gently reveal glowing and radiant skin without any harsh rubbing required.
Promising review: "This stuff is the best. I use it all the time and it's gentle, removes makeup, isn't overly drying, and doesn't sting my eyes. I'd say I have combination skin (though not terribly oily) and my skin is quite sensitive. This works great on my face! I'll be sad if this is ever discontinued because it's a perfect cleanser at a perfect price. People compliment my skin all the time and ask what my secret is and they're always surprised to learn it's not some pricey obscure product, just this cleanser that's consistently been in my skincare routine." —mel
Get it from Amazon for $5.73.
28. An Elizavecca facial serum for anyone who is ready to break up with enlarged pores and excess oil. Just dab a few drops of this hyaluronic acid blend onto your skin pre-moisturizer and et voila! A smooth, hydrated, matte complexion is yours for the taking.
Promising review: "I've been using this for about a month now and I have super oily skin, redness, and large pores. I love this stuff! I noticed a difference the first day where my skin looked more even in tone, and I have noticed that my foundation isn't collecting in my pores as much either because they are less noticeable. Definitely a staple in my skincare routine now." —cannibal
Get it from Amazon for $6.90.
29. A cruelty-free nügg sleep mask here to save parched complexions and have 'em crying hallelujah. Quality ingredients like watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid, and glacier water-infused aloe juice deliver brightening effects and work OT to provide a much-needed dose of hydration.
Promising review: "Love this mask! I've tried the watermelon mask from Glow Recipe and I think this one works so much better. Doesn't smell too sweet (just try not to rub in the mask too much because then it will sort of flake/peel off)." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
30. An SPF 25-infused Jack Black lip balm made with beeswax, green tea leaf extract, shea butter, and cocoa seed butter to provide intense, long-lasting moisture to even the most chapped of pouts.
Promising review: "This is genuinely the best lip balm I’ve ever tried. I’ve had severely dry, cracked lips since I was a teenager, and basically everything I’ve tried in the past has failed me on one level or another. I’ve been using these Jack Black balms for the past six months or so, and my lips have looked soooo much better. I used to have cracks, and the layer of skin would constantly peel away. I had light scarring and discoloration due to years of dryness and peeling, but not anymore! This even kept my lips protected during a very cold winter in the Midwest. I have six of these floating around my house/purse/work backpack. And I don’t ever see myself using another lip product." —Cara
Get it from Amazon for $8 (available in five scents).
31. Hydrocolloid, tea tree, and calendula oil pimple patches you should slap on a zit to a) prevent picking, and b) speed up the ~draining~ process of said zit. Plus, these are transparent enough to wear while running errands without anyone in the world giving you a second glance.
I know, I know. You may feel robbed of the satisfying feeling that comes with popping a pimple, but this method is MUCH better because it won't leave a scar. To quote the Beatles, just let it be.
Promising review: "I love these things! My acne-riddled, hormonal life is made easier by these beautiful little patches. The variety pack is best because the big squares can be cut to size, and boy do they stick! They do what they say. I've had cysts go down without popping. I've popped some (yes yes, I know, don't pick, people!) and patched em, and it'll drain. I've given them to friends who get cysts in the WORST places, and they always go down and definitely takes the edge off the pain overnight. If there's a spot that's weeping, stick one on there and it'll put an end to that." —Renee
Get a pack of 40 from Amazon for $8.07.
32. A Physicians Formula detoxing stick that enlists the help of bamboo charcoal (for drawing out impurities) and artichoke leaf (for moisture and nourishment) to give your complexion a good, deep clean.
Promising review: "I like that there's a slight exfoliant to it this that turns into a nice-smelling cleanser. My son who has acne also uses this, and I'll definitely be buying it again." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $5.89.
33. A Garnier gel-cream for some sweet, sweet relief for all of your dry skin problems. A blend of vitamin c and fruit water antioxidant complex delivers oil-free moisture that feels deceivingly lightweight on your skin, but actually packs a powerful punch of moisture (and has a brightening effect).
Promising review: "I used to use Clinique's Moisture Surge but found this when looking for a more affordable alternative. The formula feels almost identical but this is about 20% of the cost of the Clinique product. That makes this an excellent bargain in my book! I have fairly dry skin, and I'll put this on every night and also as needed during winter days if my skin is feeling particularly dry. It makes my skin feel instantly moist yet doesn't feel sticky or greasy. Love it!" —Amanda R.
Get it from Amazon for $6.62.
34. Silicone brushes that are an absolute necessity for every skincare aficionado out there. This lets you slather on that thick mud mask without a) getting your hands covered in said mud mask, and b) prevents you from picking up (and wasting) excess product which means money saved.
Promising review: "I love this product! It makes it so much easier to apply my mud face masks and prevents me from using too much product. I can easily apply the correct amount of product over my face and the brush is also easy to clean." —Traci Fuqua
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $3.98.
35. A Burt's Bees daily cream designed with sensitive skin (we're talking the kind that gets extremely red at even the mention of a new ingredient) in mind; a combination of rice extracts, aloe, and cotton extract will keep your complexion both soothed and hydrated.
Promising review: "I really like this day cream from Burt's Bees. I have sensitive skin with a bit of redness so I really need to be careful about what I use on it. This cream does not irritate my skin and is nourishing without feeling heavy or leaving my skin greasy. I put it on, wait a few minutes, and then apply my makeup. Goes well under foundation or even just blush and concealer." —Vanessa P
Get it from Amazon for $8.49.
Me @ the fact that these products are both effective and don't cost a fortune:
The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Shopping for something specific? Check out BuzzFeed Reviews to find the best things for every budget!
